Thank you for visiting the Heathfield Benefice website. We are ‘The Church of England in Your Community’, covering the town of Heathfield and the neighbouring villages of Old Heathfield and Broad Oak. We have three buildings in our parish, but we are one Church family. As such, we seek to respond to God’s love by walking alongside one another in all aspects of life’s journey: In life | In love | In loss.
We hope you find our website useful, whether you’re new to the area, interested in exploring your faith, or have an important life event such as a child to be baptised, a wedding to be planned, or a funeral for a loved one. Everyone is welcome to attend our services and events so please do just come along, we also live-stream most of our Sunday morning worship so if you aren't able to come in person you can still be part of our church community.
Vicar of Heathfield – Revd David Packham
The Bishop of Chichester is pleased to announce the appointment of the Reverend David Packham to be the Vicar of Heathfield.
David is currently Assistant Curate in the Parish of Nork with Burgh Heath, Guildford Diocese.
David will take up his new position on Wednesday 30th July; he will be licensed by the Bishop of Chichester at a service beginning at 7.30pm, at All Saints Church in Old Heathfield.
An introduction from David:
Prior to ordination, I lived in Dorking with my wife, Margaret, for a number of years and enjoyed the Surrey countryside. I worked as a project manager in London, but we both found respective vocations, as a preacher and as a pastoral assistant, while worshipping at a local church. We enjoy walking, singing, attending concerts and visiting art galleries.
A diocesan course brought vocation into focus and the effect of this was a re-ordering of priorities, as a call had been waiting at life’s crossroads. I made a conscious effort to open myself to possibilities, with support from the vicar at my church and another local priest who acted as a ‘soul friend’ on my vocational journey. One verse really struck me while going into a local church during a walk around Pyrford, where I found a prayer card saying “I am about to do something new”. The Bible text was: ‘Forget the former things: do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.’ Isaiah 43:18-19
Could these be words to ponder as a church community as Margaret and I prepare to move to Heathfield at the end of July? We are looking forward to moving to Heathfield and getting to know the church congregations in the Benefice. The local countryside is stunning and we are looking forward to getting involved in the local community, supporting people in life’s ups and downs, inspiring people in their Christian journey and encouraging those on the margins to take those first bold, if tentative, steps of faith.
Please pray for us as we finish our jobs well, pack, move and say our goodbyes before we start a new, exciting chapter in Heathfield Benefice!
Click here to view our regular service schedule
Visit our YouTube Channel to view previous services
On the odd occasion we can have an issue with the internet connection in church which may result in us being unable to live-stream. If you are waiting for a service and we don't appear then you will always find a live or recently recorded service on the Church of England and Chichester Cathderal websites. Of course we hope ours work and that you stay with us!
Sunday 13th July - Trinity 4
10.00am Holy Communion at St Richard's Church, Heathfield.
This will be live-streamed, please click on the link from 9.45am Sunday, also available on Facebook Live
3.00pm Holy Communion at St George's Church, Broad Oak.
Missed a service?
You can catch up on all our live-streamed services on the Heathfield Benefice YouTube channel
Grapevine weekly e-news
The best way to keep up to date with what's on in Heathfield Benefice is to receive our e-newsletter The Grapevine straight to your inbox. It includes all the latest news and information from the Benefice, and updates on all our regular Church Services.
To sign up just fill in this simple form. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Read the latest edition - 04/07/2025
Saturday morning prayers
Each Saturday at 9am, a group of parishioners meets for half an hour of prayer together. Prayers are led by different members of the group each week and offer a quiet and reflective time to join together to pray for both local and wider subjects. Everyone is welcome to join.
On the first and third Saturdays of each month we meet in person at St.Richard's Hall, all other Saturdays are on zoom, except the occasional fifth Saturday in the month, this is in person at St George's Parish Room, Broad Oak. If you would like to find out more and receive these weekly prayers, please contact us.
Baby and Toddler Groups in the Benefice
Our Monday Baby and Toddler group at St. George's, Broad Oak starts at 10am except on Bank Holidays.
Our Tuesday Baby and Toddler group at St. Richard's Church Hall runs during term-time at 1.30pm
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Celebrating Faith 2025
2025 is the year of celebration of the Christian faith across Sussex.
It marks the 950th anniversary of the formation of the Diocese of Chichester and Chichester Cathedral and 1700 years since the Nicene Creed first emerged.
Click to view a short introductory video
There is a dedicated website where you will find information about, and links to, the events and celebrations which will form part of this special year for both diocese and cathedral.
Heathfield magazine out now or pick up a hard copy in our churches or around town.
Mission Action Plan
Take a look at our published Mission Action Plan. Download a copy by clicking on the link below.
Find and follow us on social media
We have an active and up to date Heathfield Benefice Facebook page so if you would like to keep up to date find, like and follow us! We also live stream our Sunday morning services from our page.
We also have a YouTube channel with all our live-streamed and recorded services, if you subscribe you can get notifications any time a new video or premier is uploaded.
Making a donation
Heathfield Benefice has an exciting vision for growth, both in bringing more people to know God’s love for them, and responding to that love through service within our local community. We simply could not fulfil that vision without the generosity of so many people who provide their time, talents and financial support to the life and ministry of the Benefice.
Regular giving helps us to plan our mission and ministry. If you would like to support our church by giving regularly or making a one-off donation you can find the different ways to do this here.