Events
Situated in the centre of the Cinque Port town of Sandwich, St Peter’s Church makes an attractive venue for a range of community activities (social and charitable) such as exhibitions, performances and fund-raising fairs (seasonal, arts, crafts etc).
| Date |
Event |
| Wed 9th April
- 3:00pm |
GIVING THANKS FOR ST PETER'S, SANDWICH
 For much of 2007 the ancient church of St Peters in Sandwich was a sorry sight, with scaffolding outside and in, while ancient stonework was strengthened, windows repaired, and the northwest buttress rebuilt. This huge project was undertaken by The Churches Conservation Trust, who look after the fabric of the church, and the Sandwich community is extremely grateful to them and all those concerned in this work. To celebrate its completion, a service of Thanksgiving has been organised by the Friends of St Peters. The Revd Canon Mark Roberts, Rector of Sandwich will conduct it, and refreshments will be served in the church immediately after the short service, which is expected to last for approximately 45 minutes. Anyone who would like to attend this event is most welcome. Just come along and make this an opportunity to visit a lovely old building in the heart of Sandwich. |
| 13th July |
HISTORY IN STONE - As part of NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGY WEEK, a talk will be given about the stonework in St Peter's church on Sunday, 13th July 2008. The talk will take place in the church at 2pm and 3pm. All are welcome. Admission free. Prior booking not necessary. |
| 16th July |
The FRIENDS OF ST PETERS will be holding its Annual General Meeting over lunch in St Clement's church hall at 12.30pm on WEDNESDAY, 16TH JULY 2008. Non-members are most welcome. We would ask that all those intending to come contact the Chairman, Dick Perry, on 01304 614758 so that numbers for catering can be worked out. |
| To make Hire and Booking enquiries Click Here |
Ann Harrison-Brooks,
a 'Friends of St Peter's' committee member, gives the following account of a SPECIAL SERVICE AT ST PETER'S:
 Hymns were sung and prayers were offered once again at St Peters on Wednesday 9th April 2008 as the church welcomed the Deputy Mayor Jeffrey Sneller, friends and supporters to a very special service of thanksgiving. Organised by the Chair of the 'Friends of St Peter's', Dick Perry, the event provided an opportunity to give thanks for restoration work successfully carried out during 2007 by The Churches Conservation Trust. For much of that year, the church was covered with scaffolding, inside and out, and windows were replaced with boarding while the originals were removed and repaired. TCCT Director of Development, Colin Shearer, and Frances Hurd, responsible for TCCT churches in Sussex attended the Thanksgiving service, along with the consultant architect, Jonathan Carey.
The Revd Canon Mark Roberts, Rector of Sandwich, conducted the service. In his address he reminded us of St Peter's role as the rock of the Christian church. He then focussed on the importance of firm foundations as the basis of a strong community as well as faith. The Rector gave thanks for the people who, over the years, had helped to make St Peter's the successful community centre it is today. He commended those who continue to care for it and who work for its future. He also praised the work of the professionals involved in the restoration project.
Readings were given by FOSP committee members Tony Evans, Georgina Maddox and Pat Ponting. Music for the service was played on the church's Heritage Organ by the honorary organist at St Peter's, George Sharman.
Two FOSP committee members dressed the church with elegant simplicity: purple, flame red and maroon tulips arranged by Kate Cliffe; with potted plants and a white floral arrangement in the font by Anne Evans.
Although it was a beautiful sunny afternoon the air was sharp and the church, chill. The tea and edibles served by 'FOSP' members immediately afterwards were therefore most welcome and sausage rolls and cakes were consumed with relish. St Peter's had been a witness once again to an important, though modest, event in the life of Sandwich.
Ann Harrison-Brooks, Committee Member, Friends of St Peters
Wedding Blessing in St Peters Church
St Peter's celebrated the marriage of a Jewish bride and an Anglican groom in an interfaith Blessing ceremony held in the church on Saturday 1st March 2008, following the couple's civil wedding held the day before. Over one hundred guests attended.
The Blessing ceremony, based on a traditional Church of England wedding service, also incorporated some elements of a Jewish marriage ceremony and was conducted by interfaith minister, Reverend Esther Aronsfeld.
A Jewish Chuppah (pronounced 'huppah') was erected in front of guest seating in the north aisle and decorated with garlands of deep red roses. According to the Order of Service, the Chuppah is a wedding canopy, intended to create an intimate, sanctified space symbolising the marital home that the bride and groom will share together. It is believed that the spirits of the couple's ancestors and beloved family members who have died, gather under the Chuppah in blessing. The sides are left open to signify that the house of the married couple will always be open and welcoming to friends and family.
Candles were placed in the south aisle. The Order of Service explained that they are often included in Jewish weddings. Either the bridesmaids, or the escorts of the bride and groom, carry lighted candles. Numerology forms a central part of Judaic study and in Hebrew, the numerical value for the word 'candle' ('nayr ') has the same value as the biblical phrase in Genesis 1:28, "Be fruitful and multiply". The Order of Service included the following quotation from The Ba'al Shem Tov, "From every human being there rises a light that reaches straight to heaven. And when two souls that are destined for each other fine one another, their streams of light float together and a single brighter light goes forth from their united being."
The bride and bridesmaids made their entrance through the west door, opened specially for the occasion. As is traditional in Jewish weddings, the bride was also accompanied by both her parents.
The first reading was an extract from A Gift From The Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbert (1906-2001). The Bride's mother gave the second reading: Sheva Brachot: The Seven Jewish Wedding Blessings.
After the address by the minister, the bride and groom drank from the 'wedding cup'. Traditionally, blessings were recited over a cup of wine to bless the marriage, and the act of drinking from the same cup symbolises the fact that the couple are prepared to share all of life's joys and sorrows, as equal partners.
Prayers included a Prayer of Blessing for the married couple, followed by the Lord's Prayer.
The ceremony concluded with the Jewish custom of breaking glass. The Order of Service explained that "this custom dates back to Talmudic times and symbolises the sadness felt by the Jewish people at the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in ancient times. It is also intended to unite the bride and groom with the spiritual and national identity of the Jewish people. The breaking of glass serves as a reminder that whilst marriage is an occasion for joy, there are places in the world where there is no joy, where the world is broken, and that it is up to each one of us to help repair it. This reflects a central tenet of Judaism, 'tikun olam', (in Hebrew 'repairing the world'), and emphasises the requirement of every Jewish person to do all they can to help mend the broken world. When the glass is broken, it is appropriate to clap and shout 'Mazel Tov' (which means 'Congratulations, good luck') as loudly as possible."
After the celebration of their wedding in St Peters Church, a reception was held at nearby Knowlton Court.
The last time St Peter 's church was used for a wedding was in 1962. Although St Peter's is no longer used for regular worship (St Clement's church in Sandwich serves that purpose), the church remains consecrated, and made an inspirational setting for this interfaith blessing.
On the Order of Service, the bride and groom recorded their thanks to The Churches Conservation Trust; The Friends of St Peters church; and the Reverend Canon Mark Roberts, Rector of the Parish of St Clement's, Sandwich for generously allowing them to use St Peter's for their wedding blessing.
Wedding Photographs Georgina Maddox
Other Events
During the summer months, recitals are given on the church organ on selected weekends and holidays from May onwards.
In August some weekday recitals are also given, including during the annual art exhibition held by Sandwich Community Arts Association, which takes place towards the end of August and coincides with the Sandwich Festival (August Bank Holiday Weekend). Recitals are held at 11.30am and 2.30pm and usually last for about half an hour. Posters inside and outside the church, together with one in the Tourist Information Centre at the Guildhall, announce all recitals.
 In recent years, St Peter’s has hosted a number of exhibitions of local artists’ work, which have drawn large numbers of visitors. The sculpture shows provided by Artform featured work by the late Malcolm Murduck who, together with Theresa Gaston St John and Mandy Troughton, ran workshops for local schoolchildren that proved popular.
To mark the 2005 Trafalgar celebrations a commemorative display of maritime images, artifacts and documentation was on view in October. For several years St Peter’s’ calendar of events has been rounded off with a charity Christmas Fair promoting seasonal wares along with mulled wine and Morris music to cheer the spirits.
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