Rochester Cathedral Christmas services

Celebrate this Christmas at Rochester Cathedral Get into the festive spirit during the run up to Christmas with a carol service or two. All our traditional services are un-ticketed and open to everyone – just make sure you arrive in good time to get the best seat! If you're attending with friends and family, our Café in the Crypt offers a great meeting point, with a warm welcome, hot drinks and delicious home-baked cakes. And while you're there, pick up some Christmas presents and decorations from our Cathedral shop. Ticketed Events Tickets are now available for our popular Christmas Concert and Britten's Ceremony of Carols. Experience Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols in the atmospheric setting of our medieval crypt The ever-popular, inspiring work for children’s voices and harp, Rochester Cathedral Choristers, accompanied by harpist Carys Hughes, will be performing Britten’s stunning arrangements of medieval carols. Following the performance there will be a short drinks reception. Saturday 14 December, 7pm BUY TICKETS Our Christmas Carol Concert is now SOLD OUT Our Advent calendar: Advent procession 1 December 6pm An atmospheric candlelit service of music, readings and prayers for Advent in celebration and anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ. The service starts in darkness with candlelight gradually spreading throughout the Cathedral following the Choir’s journey from West to East. Dickens Carol Services 7 and 8 December, 12.30pm and 3pm During the popular Dickens Festival weekend we hold four themed services, full of festive spirit and charm. It’s a great opportunity to come in from the cold and sing some of your favourite carols. A Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols 21 and 22 December, 7.30pm Choristers, candles and carols for everybody to join in: nothing compares with the experience of a traditional carol service in Rochester Cathedral, which has witnessed over a thousand Christmases. There’s even a choice of two dates – come twice if you like! Children's Nativity Service 24 December, 3pm This is the service for children aged 0–100. Featuring our Sunday Club and Children’s Choir, you’re guaranteed a lively spectacle, including a play and a lot of singing. Children, why not come dressed as a character from the Christmas story? Christmas Eve Carol Service 24 December, 4.15pm A wonderful opportunity to listen to our choristers sing in perfect harmony. This service will be held in the Quire. The Eucharist of Christmas Night 24 December, 11.30pm As we await the birth of Christ we gather together at midnight to celebrate the first Eucharist of Christmas. Carols for all and music from the Cathedral Choirs, including Holy Communion and a sermon. Christmas Day Holy Communion 25 December, 8am Our traditional Holy Communion on Christmas morning. The Eucharist of Christmas Morning 25 December, 10.30am The principle service of Christmas day, with Holy Communion, sermon and carols for both the congregation and Cathedral Choirs. To view all the Christmas services at a glance, please visit our website: VISIT WEBSITE

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November News from Rochester Diocese

Thursday 7 November 2019 Welcome to the November edition of Rochester Diocese's monthly e-newsletter Resources Events and Training Life Together - a new way to deepen our relationship with God  A new tool to support those within the Diocese wishing to deepen their relationship with God has now arrived. Called 'Life Together', it encourages small groups to come together to develop a rhythm of listening, commitment and regular prayer. The idea grew out of the conversations that took place across the Diocese around the diocesan vision, Called Together. This is not about setting ridged structures or rules, but following guiding principles - pulse points - based on the Benedictine spiritual tradition, to help sustain a relationship with God and one-another Watch a short message from Bishop James about 'Life Together', or visit the webpage here to see how it might work for you. Diocesan Update All you need to know this month from the Diocese and National Church GENERAL ELECTION MESSAGE Bishop James and Bishop Simon are encouraging churches and individuals to pray for generosity in debate, wisdom in policy forming, and showing hospitality through their church buildings during the General Election. Read it here SYNOD DIGEST  Unsure what Diocesan Synod is? Intrigued to know what goes on? Download and print our new Synod Digest to find out what happened at the most recent meeting. Find it on our new Diocesan Synod page here WHITE RIBBON - RYAN HART As supporters of the campaign to end male violence against women, the Diocese is hosting a talk on 23 November by Ryan Hart. Ryan's mother and sister were killed by the family's coercive and controlling father. To book click here LAMBETH CONFERENCE This once in a decade meeting of Church leaders from across the Anglican Communion takes place next July. Would you like to volunteer your time and skill?  Apply by 1 December  More here  PAST CASES REVIEW The Diocese is currently undertaking a comprehensive safeguarding review, to help ensure that all known cases of concern about the behaviour of clergy and church officers towards children and vulnerable adults have been dealt with appropriately. More here News in brief Stories from around the parishes

New facilities for Petts Wood New kitchen brings fresh mission opportunities to Petts Wood. Read more Black History Month marked  Gravesham gives thanks for the rich heritage across its churches. Read more Palm Crosses from Tanzania The local enterprise supporting an overseas link. Read more Food brings people together A community lunch is a soup-er success in Langton Green. Read more

Events and Training For more local and Diocesan events, visit our What's On Calendar. Add your own event too. You can also explore the full range of courses and events available at: St. Benedict's Centre here St. Augustine's College of Theology here Diocese's Spiriitualty Network here 'FOR THE FALLEN' 9 November, 7.30pm, St Peter's Upper Church, Pembury A reflective concert of music and poetry, programmed specially for Remembrance weekend, and performed in a candlelit church. The Cantiaci Vocal Ensemble will be joined by Reader, Alison Sandford MacKenzie (to read some war poetry), and Harpist, Anna Wynne.  Tickets are £10 and available by emailing info@cantiaci.org.uk or calling 07775 624048. Visit: www.cantiaci.org.uk SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST - TALK BY DR DENIS ALEXANDER 15 November, Downe Village Hall, Downe, 7.30pm   150 years' since the publication of Charles Darwin's, 'Origin of the Species',  world renowned speaker and author Dr Denis Alexander asks, is the concept of the survival of the fittest, an alien one to Christians? Admission Free, retiring offering and refreshments. Further information from Rev John Musson, vicar@pcd.org.uk tel 01959 571515 www.pcd.org.uk ADVENT QUIET DAY 12 December, 10am to 4pm Companions of Christ, 65 Maidstone Road Chatham, ME4 6DP During this Quiet Day we shall be exploring the Advent theme of searching for and looking forward to the coming of Christ our Lord and King. There will be short times of input with extended times of quiet for personal reflection and study. Bring your own lunch, drinks will be provided. Donations are welcome. For more details and booking email: susannecarlssons@hotmail.co.uk BAME VOCATIONS CONFERENCE  22 February, St. George's Beckenham, 1pm to 5.30pm The first event of its kind in the Diocese of Rochester, this event aims to bring together people of BAME heritage from the local church to talk about vocation in the Church of England. Be inspired in your vocational journey, be equipped with knowledge about the various ministries in the Church and be informed about the current state of BAME vocations nationally. Speakers include Rosemarie Davidson-Gotobed, National Advisor of BAME Vocations in the Church of England  For more details and booking click here Resources Top resources to support you in your work, life and faith - or just to share with others. LET'S TALK Many churches will be involved in Winter Night Shelters in the coming months. Homeless people are particularly vulnerable to exploitation. 'Let's Talk' is a set of new materials from the Clewer Initiative to help anyone engaging with homeless people, to alert them to the dangers. Find them here FOLLOW THE STAR The Church of England has now released it's Advent and Christmas materials. Using the same #FollowTheStar theme as last year, there are lots of material for websites, social media and A Church Near You sites available here GDPR Still confused by the General Data Protection Regulations? Online training is now available for anyone within the Church of England, delivered by specialist training provider Me Learning. At a cost of just £10 + VAT per course. For more information click here Vision and Aims RESOURCE -  Planning for Growth: Enabling parishes to establish local mission plans which give focus and energy to worshipping communities and achieve measurable outcomes. Called To Grow is a new five step process to help parishes to review, plan and deliver mission. A toolkit to support parishes with the steps is now available. Our three Growth Enablers, Abi, Graham and Dylan have now started their work. Please share this prayer for them. To find out more and to view the toolkit visit:  www.rochester.anglican.org/resources/called-to-grow/ Vacancies and appointments Archdeaconry of Bromley & Bexley Archdeaconry of Rochester Lay and volunteer posts Archdeaconry of Tonbridge Volunteer & other posts Appointments CONNECT WITH US. FIND US AT: Copyright © 2019 DIocese of Rochester, All rights reserved.