Holy Trinity Church, Cuckfield

As the festive season approaches, with Christmas little over a month away, many of us feel the pressure building - shopping lists, holiday plans, and the rush of year-end tasks. In Cuckfield, much revolves around our famous Christmas Tree Festival which is taking place on 6th, 7th and 8th December.

But alongside these preparations, the season of Advent offers something different. Starting four Sundays before Christmas at the beginning of December, Advent marks the beginning of the Christian liturgical year and is about slowing down and creating space for reflection, hope, and anticipation. While we often think of late November and early December as the buildup to Christmas, Advent invites us to pause and prepare emotionally and spiritually for something deeper. In Christian tradition, Advent is a time to prepare for the coming of Christ, but its themes—hope, peace, joy, and love— speak to anyone, regardless of faith.

Advent reminds us that even in our busy lives, there’s room for quiet reflection. It encourages us to think about our hopes, what brings us peace, and how we can share love with others. It offers a meaningful counterbalance to the materialism of the season, helping us focus on what truly matters.

For those seeking something spiritual and really special, you might consider coming to our the Candlelit Advent Carol Service taking place at Holy Trinity Church on Sunday, 1st December 2024, at 6.00pm. Through carols, scripture, and prayer, we will explore Advent’s themes, pausing to reflect on the quiet beauty of waiting for Christ’s light.

You are also warmly invited to join us for Candlelit Sung Compline (Night Prayer) on Wednesdays during Advent – 4th and 18th December at Holy Trinity Church and 11th December at St Mary Bolney. This peaceful, ancient monastic and reflective service at the close of the day offers a chance to experience stillness, prayer, and gentle music in a candle-lit setting, providing a moment of calm amid the busyness of the season.

Advent is about more than material preparations. It’s an opportunity to nurture our inner selves and prepare for whatever life holds next. So, as you check off your festive to-do list, consider setting aside time to slow down, reflect, and find calm amid the busyness. It’s a small change that can lead to a deeper sense of meaning and fulfilment.

With every blessing,
Daniel
Rev’d Daniel Valentine

An Easter message from Holy Trinity Church, Cuckfield

By Rev Daniel Valentine

As Easter approaches, the shops and media channels are filled with imagery of eggs, bunnies, and chicks, signaling a season that seems to demand lavish expenditure on chocolate and Easter eggs. All this stands in stark contrast to the true essence of Easter for Christians. The real significance of Easter, rich in emotion and spirituality, spans from Palm Sunday through Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and culminates in the celebration of Easter Sunday. I invite you to join us at Holy Trinity to walk with us on a profound journey from suffering to hope… Our observances start with the Maundy Thursday Eucharist at 8pm on 28th March, marking the beginning of the Triduum, the sacred three-day period before Easter. This service invites us to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice and our faithfulness, followed by a vigil extending into the night. Good Friday, observed on 29th March, is a day for deep reflection. At noon, we’ll meditate on Jesus’ final words from the cross, contemplating His sacrifice, with preacher Kevin Carey guiding us. This reflection will be accompanied by Fearghus Beauchamp’s rendition of Haydn’s Seven Last Words piano sonatas. Simultaneously, families can look forward to Easterthemed craft activities at the Old School, providing an opportunity for everyone to get involved in the Easter story. At 2pm, the Good Friday Liturgy in the church narrates Christ’s Passion, from the Last Supper to His crucifixion, highlighting Jesus’ immense love and sacrifice for the sins of the world. Alternatively, ‘Family Praise’ at the Old School provides a worship experience for all ages, followed by refreshments and hot cross buns. Holy Saturday’s vigil on 30th March at 8pm is a shortened version of the traditional overnight gathering, recounting God’s salvation history up to Jesus’ resurrection, a celebration of new life and hope. Much of the service focuses on the ‘light of Christ’ bringing illumination and grace to the world. Easter Sunday starts at 8am with Holy Communion, followed by the 9.45am Parish Eucharist. This service joyfully proclaims the Easter Gospel and celebrates the First Eucharist of Easter. We sing ‘Halleluiah’ depicting our shared joy in Christ’s resurrection through song, and enjoy fellowship over cake and a glass of fizz. At the heart of the Easter narrative lies a powerful tale of sacrifice, love, and rebirth, as it chronicles Jesus’ passage from death back to life. This story, steeped in profound themes, not only brings about a sense of renewal and forgiveness but also prompts us to deeply reflect on the nature of divine love. The season calls upon us to embrace its spirit fully, urging us to offer hope and support to those in need. You’re warmly invited to join us in embracing the transformative spirit of Easter. As we approach this sacred season, let it inspire us to share the boundless love of Christ with others. I encourage you this Easter to dedicate this time to reflection, celebration, and recommitting ourselves to acts of kindness and love. Do join us in making this season truly meaningful. Wishing you a blessed Easter…

Daniel

Holy Trinity Church though the summer

All sorts of fun throughout summer

Despite the unpredictable and sometimes disappointing weather, there was no lack of fun at Holy Trinity Church this summer.
The first week of the holidays saw the return of the popular theatre club, and the children were kept busy writing, rehearsing, singing, prop making and generally having lots of fun working together towards the lively and totally unique production In My Shoes, performed to an appreciative audience made up of family and friends.

The fun continued later in August with Holy Trinity Church’s CrystalFactor-Krypton-Maze. After a grey and overcast morning, around 40 parents, grandparents and children all met on the playing field at Holy Trinity Primary School for an afternoon of fun & games in glorious sunshine! Following an expertly-led warm up, the contestants organised themselves into teams with suitable team names before the first challenge… the dressing-up relay (let’s just say that shirts are difficult to button when you are wearing rubber gloves!)
Other challenges included a dribbling-the-football race, an egg-and-spoon race, even a grown-ups race. There was serious attempt to break the volleyball keepy uppy record, before playing ‘catch the water balloon before it bursts’, resulting in some soggy t-shirts!

The afternoon was rounded off with an assault course, with yet more water followed by squash and cake! Everyone left festooned with stickers, full of delicious cake and a bit out of puff – it was a wonderful afternoon and much enjoyed by everyone who took part. Looking ahead we will be celebrating Harvest Festival at the end of September, with a Harvest Supper for all the family in church on Saturday 30th from 5.30pm until 8pm and our harvest services the following day.