For 1,000 years there has been a Church of St Clement on this site. Today we continue to keep the flame of faith alive here – though an ancient building that speaks of an unchanging God, you’ll find subtle differences of colours and fittings throughout the year as we mark the changing seasons of the Church’s calendar.
More and more people of all ages and backgrounds ask me, ‘how do I become a Christian?’ My main advice is to join with the Church in trying to love, and trying to pray. We cannot do this alone, so come along and join with us at our main act of worship each week, the 10:30am Parish Eucharist on a Sunday. Or, if you prefer something quieter, Holy Communion is celebrated at 8:00am on Sunday and 10:00am on Wednesdays. You’ll find out more about what happens during these services by clicking here.
What we do publicly must feed what we do privately – finding time to pray during the week (maybe a quiet place at home, while travelling, on a walk… try different things and see) is vital to the Christian life, as well as studying the Bible. Some helpful resources are:
Want to get to know us? Explore this website, or see these useful resources to help set you on your path with St Clement’s:
You are warmly invited to become involved in the bustling life of St Clement’s. Come along, grab a coffee after a service if you wish, introduce yourself, and play your part in the story of God’s Kingdom here in Sandwich.
May you be blessed this day,
Your brother in Christ,
The Reverend Sebastian J. M. Hamilton
Rector of Sandwich and Worth, Area Dean of Sandwich
For 1,000 years there has been a Church of St Clement on this site. Today we continue to keep the flame of faith alive here – though an ancient building that speaks of an unchanging God, you’ll find subtle differences of colours and fittings throughout the year as we mark the changing seasons of the Church’s calendar.
More and more people of all ages and backgrounds ask me, ‘how do I become a Christian?’ My main advice is to join with the Church in trying to love, and trying to pray. We cannot do this alone, so come along and join with us at our main act of worship each week, the 10:30am Parish Eucharist on a Sunday. Or, if you prefer something quieter, Holy Communion is celebrated at 8:00am on Sunday and 10:00am on Wednesdays. You’ll find out more about what happens during these services by clicking here.
What we do publicly must feed what we do privately – finding time to pray during the week (maybe a quiet place at home, while travelling, on a walk… try different things and see) is vital to the Christian life, as well as studying the Bible. Some helpful resources are:
Morning and Evening Prayer These ancient forms of marking the day with scripture and prayer can still work brilliantly today. They are ways of praying alone which nevertheless link us to a much wider voice of prayer day-by-day. St Clement’s has its own booklet you can take away (click here to read it online – coming soon), and the Psalms and readings for the week are always on the back of the ‘Sunday Booklet’ that we print each week. Alternatively, the Church of England’s Daily Prayer app does all the work for you and gives you everything on your phone! You can also listen to the services on the app as a podcast, if this helps you to rest in God.
‘How to Pray: A Practical Handbook’ John Pritchard, 2011 This excellent book gives lots of ideas for ways of praying privately, allowing you to try different practices and see what helps you connect with God. Remember – we must pray as we can, not as we should. Always be honest with God, above all else.
‘The Mystery of Faith: Exploring Belief’ John-Francis Friendship, 2019 John-Francis Friendship’s books are all worth reading if you wish to explore the Christian faith but, to start with, this introduction to Christianity reflects the tradition St Clement’s has inherited and covers many aspects of our religion.
‘Being Disciples: Essentials of the Christian Life’ Rowan Williams, 2016 Archbishop Williams is perhaps the greatest Christian thinker of the last century, and this small book is a very accessible guide to the Christian life
‘Guidelines’ and ‘Reflections for Daily Prayer’ It can be very helpful to study the Bible with an accompanying guide, or with reflections. ‘Guidelines’ (published by BRF Ministries) are excellent day-by-day reflections through books of the Bible, while ‘Reflections for Daily Prayer’ is a book published each year reflecting on the readings set for Morning or Evening Prayer.
Want to get to know us? Explore this website, or see these useful resources to help set you on your path with St Clement’s:
Quick Guide to St Clement’s (coming soon) This brief walking guide will give you a foundation of our history, and don’t miss our audio guide – recorded by members of the congregation! If you’d like to learn more about the history of St Clement’s in detail, you may also be interesting in our full-colour Guidebook, and ‘Echoes from the Past’ (the stories of many of those buried in our Churchyard) – these are available to buy in the church.
Warm Welcome Project Update Booklet and Prayer Card (coming soon) Launched in September 2024, the Warm Welcome Project is our five-year vision for growth across six areas of mission, as well as securing our building and finances. Included is the most recent exciting update showing how well the Project is progressing, and a card to help you join in our prayers.
Supporting St Clement’s Financially (coming soon) This booklet explains our finances, and encourages regular giving. Charitable giving is a fundamental part of the Christian life – we receive no central funding, and we rely on the support of our congregation and visitors to continue in our ministry, and to protect this glorious building for future generations.
You are warmly invited to become involved in the bustling life of St Clement’s. Come along, grab a coffee after a service if you wish, introduce yourself, and play your part in the story of God’s Kingdom here in Sandwich.
May you be blessed this day,
Your brother in Christ,
The Reverend Sebastian J. M. Hamilton
Rector of Sandwich and Worth, Area Dean of Sandwich
