Christmas services around Hassocks this festive season - 2023

Hassocks and local Churches Together

The churches in Hassocks, Keymer and Clayton have banded together to publish the following services.

Sunday 17th December

3pm – Carols for All at Adastra Hall – Informal carol singing with mulled wine, tea and mince pies

Friday 22nd December

4pm – Churches Together Christingle at the URC

Christmas Eve

8am – BCP Communion Service at St Cosmas & St Damian, Keymer
10.30am – Worship at the United Reformed Church
4pm – Crib service at St Francis, Priory Road
5pm – First Mass of Christmas at St Edward’s RC Church
6pm – Nine Lessons and Carols at St Cosmas & St Damian, Keymer
6pm – Carols by Candlelight at the URC
6pm – BCP Eucharist at Keymer
11.30pm – Midnight Mass at St Cosmas & St Damian

Christmas Day

8am – Mass at Keymer
9.30am – Mass at St Edward’s RC Church
9.45am – St Francis Communion
9.45am – BCP Eucharist at Clayton
10am – Christmas Day worship at the United Reformed Church
11.15am – St Edward’s RC Church, Lodge Lane

Hassocks community supports Kangaroos childrens' charity

By Sue Anson

On the 2nd of July, we had our Jubilee Street party for the Hassocks community, which took place in Friars Oak Road outside of St Francis Church. The garden was a children’s zone with a bouncy castle, craft, and garden games. The church was transformed into a lovely cream tea venue. The main hall was a dedicated area for babies and toddlers. We set up tables in the closed off street, covered in union jack tablecloths and adorned the street with bunting. We had water pistols, hula hoops and skipping ropes for the children as well as some wacky races organised. The raffle, with its great prizes, drew a big crowd. Music was provided by the church band and the local ladies’ choir. There was a fancy-dress competition. We had a BBQ that ran all afternoon, salads, cakes, and puddings galore for people to feast on. Over 400 people attended in the glorious weather.

We didn’t charge but asked people to donate. Because of everyone’s generosity and, after our minimal costs were covered, with so much of what we provided being donated, we managed to raise £1,560 for charity. This is a phenomenal amount and an amazing bonus for a great day. We have chosen Kangaroos this time as our recipient, a local children’s charity who work with disabled young people. We have presented them with a cheque for £780. The other £780 will go towards our parish’s community work such as the food bank, youth work, our Cameo and Hug in a Mug groups. We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who came and contributed in any way. We can’t wait for the next event!

Hassocks and Keymer's Christmas Church services this season - 2021

By Juliet Strange, Churches Together in Hassocks

Following a difficult time for us all, we are delighted to say that we’re able to offer a full range of services in the village for Christmas this year, to which everyone is very welcome. There will be Christingle services and outside Nativity plays, as well as the more traditional services.

Details of these can be found on the individual church websites, listed here:
Adastra Hall
St Francis of Assisi
St John the Baptist, Clayton
St Edward’s RC Church, Keymer
St Cosmas and St Damian, Keymer
United Reformed Church, Hassocks

Informal carol singing will take place in Adastra Hall on Sunday 19th December from 3pm, when seasonal refreshments will be served.
On Christmas Eve at St Francis of Assisi, there will be a Crib Service at 4pm and at St Cosmas and at St Damian, Keymer, there are the traditional Nine Lessons and Carols at 6pm and Midnight Mass with carols at 11.30pm.
Also on Christmas Eve, St Edward’s RC Church, Keymer, will have their first Mass of Christmas with carols at 5pm.

On Christmas Day, St John the Baptist, Clayton, will hold a Eucharist with Carols at 11.15am, St Cosmas and St Damian, Keymer, will have a Holy Communion at 8am and a Family Eucharist with Carols at 9.45am.
St Francis of Assisi, Priory Road, will hold a Family Eucharist with Carols at 9.45am and, at St Edward’s RC Church, Keymer, there will be a Mass with Carols at 10am. Finally, on Christmas Day, the United Reformed Church, Hassocks, will have a Family Service at 10am.

We wish you all a very happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas.