Godstone Benefice
@godstonebenefice.bsky.social
We are a group of three Anglican churches in Godstone, South Godstone, and Blindley Heath. We are almost at the southern edge of the Diocese of Southwark.
Today we heard to the story of the slaughter of the innocents, and I spoke about the Coventry Carol:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Soul Music - Coventry Carol - BBC Sounds
The 'Coventry Carol' tells the story of the Slaughter of the Innocents
www.bbc.co.uk
December 28, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Today we heard to the story of the slaughter of the innocents, and I spoke about the Coventry Carol:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
We marked VJ Day today at the war memorial. One lady asked me to read a poem written by her father, who was an officer in the Indian Army and a POW. It was found in his diary.
August 15, 2025 at 11:14 AM
We marked VJ Day today at the war memorial. One lady asked me to read a poem written by her father, who was an officer in the Indian Army and a POW. It was found in his diary.
Congratulations to Moira Astin, who was for a while resident in our parish, on her appointment as Bishop of Crediton.
exeter.anglican.org/the-venerabl...
exeter.anglican.org/the-venerabl...
The Venerable Moira Astin is Announced as New Bishop of Crediton - Diocese of Exeter
The new Bishop of Crediton will be the Venerable Moira Astin. Her appointment was announced by Downing Street after her nomination was approved by the King. Moira is currently the Archdeacon of Reigat...
exeter.anglican.org
June 3, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Congratulations to Moira Astin, who was for a while resident in our parish, on her appointment as Bishop of Crediton.
exeter.anglican.org/the-venerabl...
exeter.anglican.org/the-venerabl...
The Exsultet is an ancient hymn sung after the Paschal candle is lit for the first time on Easter morning. Traditionally it is sung as a solo by a Deacon, but we sang it this morning at our dawn service as a congregational hymn to the tune “Abbot’s Leigh”.
youtu.be/wQBlsKcbrSo
youtu.be/wQBlsKcbrSo
The Exsultet - to the tune Abbot's Leigh
YouTube video by Godstone United Benefice
youtu.be
April 20, 2025 at 12:02 PM
The Exsultet is an ancient hymn sung after the Paschal candle is lit for the first time on Easter morning. Traditionally it is sung as a solo by a Deacon, but we sang it this morning at our dawn service as a congregational hymn to the tune “Abbot’s Leigh”.
youtu.be/wQBlsKcbrSo
youtu.be/wQBlsKcbrSo
Join us this week as we build up to Good Friday
April 14, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Join us this week as we build up to Good Friday
This Lent we have been raising money for the Anglican hospital in Gaza. It has just been bombed. This interview with the Archbishop of Dublin talks about the hospital.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3s2...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3s2...
Solidarity with Al Ahli Hospital and Middle East reflections
YouTube video by Church of Ireland
www.youtube.com
April 14, 2025 at 8:21 AM
This Lent we have been raising money for the Anglican hospital in Gaza. It has just been bombed. This interview with the Archbishop of Dublin talks about the hospital.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3s2...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3s2...
George, our organist, is celebrating his 90th birthday!
80 years of church music and still going strong.
80 years of church music and still going strong.
March 20, 2025 at 4:39 PM
George, our organist, is celebrating his 90th birthday!
80 years of church music and still going strong.
80 years of church music and still going strong.
A new hymn on the story of the anointing of Jesus at Bethany. Told from the perspective of the lady anointing him.
This was sung for the first time at St Stephen's, South Godstone and St Nicholas', Godstone.
youtu.be/48IV7-8bugQ
This was sung for the first time at St Stephen's, South Godstone and St Nicholas', Godstone.
youtu.be/48IV7-8bugQ
The Anointing at Bethany
YouTube video by Godstone United Benefice
youtu.be
March 18, 2025 at 9:51 AM
A new hymn on the story of the anointing of Jesus at Bethany. Told from the perspective of the lady anointing him.
This was sung for the first time at St Stephen's, South Godstone and St Nicholas', Godstone.
youtu.be/48IV7-8bugQ
This was sung for the first time at St Stephen's, South Godstone and St Nicholas', Godstone.
youtu.be/48IV7-8bugQ
Our carol service featuring three local schools will be on the radio at 5pm!
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p...
BBC Local Radio - Carol Service, Recorded at St Nicholas Church in Godstone (12/2024)
A celebration of Christmas with our carol service at St Nicholas Church in Godstone.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 22, 2024 at 3:40 PM
Our carol service featuring three local schools will be on the radio at 5pm!
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p...
We have just hosted the St Stephen's School Christmas service. Although the church housed the school for 90 years we can barely fit them all in now!
youtu.be/CNbIjNXbMsM
youtu.be/CNbIjNXbMsM
Skye Boat Carol sung by St Stephen's School
YouTube video by Godstone United Benefice
youtu.be
December 19, 2024 at 11:33 AM
We have just hosted the St Stephen's School Christmas service. Although the church housed the school for 90 years we can barely fit them all in now!
youtu.be/CNbIjNXbMsM
youtu.be/CNbIjNXbMsM
Toy services are a long standing tradition here. (If you have a church dedicated to St Nicholas it seems the right thing to do!)
Once again a car load of toys delivered to Stripey Stork in Reigate to help those who are struggling in east Surrey.
Once again a car load of toys delivered to Stripey Stork in Reigate to help those who are struggling in east Surrey.
December 17, 2024 at 9:18 AM
Toy services are a long standing tradition here. (If you have a church dedicated to St Nicholas it seems the right thing to do!)
Once again a car load of toys delivered to Stripey Stork in Reigate to help those who are struggling in east Surrey.
Once again a car load of toys delivered to Stripey Stork in Reigate to help those who are struggling in east Surrey.
Carols with a brass band! What could be a better way to get ready for Christmas?
St John's, Blindley Heath on Thursday 19th December at 6.30pm
St John's, Blindley Heath on Thursday 19th December at 6.30pm
December 17, 2024 at 9:15 AM
Carols with a brass band! What could be a better way to get ready for Christmas?
St John's, Blindley Heath on Thursday 19th December at 6.30pm
St John's, Blindley Heath on Thursday 19th December at 6.30pm
We hosted the BBC Surrey and Sussex carol service this week. Congratulations to the choirs from Oxted School, Godstone School, and St Stephen's School, South Godstone.
December 9, 2024 at 10:42 AM
We hosted the BBC Surrey and Sussex carol service this week. Congratulations to the choirs from Oxted School, Godstone School, and St Stephen's School, South Godstone.
Yesterday I met with the BBC sound engineers who will be recording our carol service on Saturday.
Exciting times!
Exciting times!
December 5, 2024 at 9:09 AM
Yesterday I met with the BBC sound engineers who will be recording our carol service on Saturday.
Exciting times!
Exciting times!
Last year we had a brass band for one of our carol services, and they are coming back!
youtu.be/R5NYrIRl1iA
youtu.be/R5NYrIRl1iA
O Little Town of Bethlehem
YouTube video by Godstone United Benefice
youtu.be
December 3, 2024 at 7:48 PM
Last year we had a brass band for one of our carol services, and they are coming back!
youtu.be/R5NYrIRl1iA
youtu.be/R5NYrIRl1iA
On Sunday 8th December at 10.30am we will have a Christingle and Toy Service at St John's Blindley Heath.
All are welcome.
All toys donated will go to Stripey Stork in Reigate.
All are welcome.
All toys donated will go to Stripey Stork in Reigate.
December 2, 2024 at 9:39 AM
On Sunday 8th December at 10.30am we will have a Christingle and Toy Service at St John's Blindley Heath.
All are welcome.
All toys donated will go to Stripey Stork in Reigate.
All are welcome.
All toys donated will go to Stripey Stork in Reigate.
On Saturday 7th December at 4.30pm we will be hosting our local BBC radio presenters for a carol service. This will includes choirs from Godstone School, St Stephen's School, and Oxted School. We will also be hearing about the work of St Catherine's Hospice.
November 29, 2024 at 8:57 AM
On Saturday 7th December at 4.30pm we will be hosting our local BBC radio presenters for a carol service. This will includes choirs from Godstone School, St Stephen's School, and Oxted School. We will also be hearing about the work of St Catherine's Hospice.
All our Christmas services!
November 28, 2024 at 12:06 PM
All our Christmas services!