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01 April 2019
Lent changes our usual services around a bit, and today was our family service, not next week as today is Mothering Sunday (hence Father Stephen's fetching pink robes rather than the Lenten purple) and he also advised us that today is Refreshment Sunday and The Feast of the Annunciation!  Busy day.

The gospel reading was about the Angel Gabriel telling Mary she would give birth to the Saviour.  In his sermon, Father Stephen asked the Mums in the congregation how they had felt when they found out that they were expecting a child.  Our Mums were a little shy, but eventually we heard "terrified", "relief", "daunted", and "excited".  Dads were generally pleased!  However Mary was perplexed.

Parenthood is an adventure. The children present were told that today was a special day and asked what they had given their Mum. They were even more shy than the adults, but there was a murmur of cards and flowers.  It was suggested that maybe they would like to do the washing up after lunch.  We want to say "Thank you" to our Mums because they put themselves out for us.

We also give thanks for our Mother Church today, the Church throughout the world.  It also speaks of the timelessness of God which nurtures us, like our mum.


Next week after the service, Hilary will be selling her hand made jewelry in the Parish Rooms.  All the profit will go to St Mary's, so come and buy some early Easter presents.  Jewels have fewer calories (in fact none!) than chocolate and last a lot longer!

Service Times

First Sunday in the Month:
08:00am Holy Communion
10:00am Family Service

Second Sunday in the Month
08:00am Holy Communion
10:00am Parish Eucharist

Third Sunday in the Month
08:00am Holy Communion
10:00am Sung Matins

Fourth Sunday in the Month
08:00am Holy Communion
10:00am Parish Eucharist

Variations can be found in the Parish Magazine or the Calendar at the bottom of this page.

Useful links


Here are some links to resources you may find helpful:


  1. St Mary's Facebook page
  2. Chichester Cathedral will be live streaming services. For the Eucharist and order of service Click here before 10:00am Sunday and follow the instructions.
  3. The BBC Daily Service is available here.
  4. Prayer for today.
  5. The C of E youtube channel.
  6. Hearing You is a new phone help line launched by the Diocese of Chichester in partnership with Together in Sussex in response to the impact that Covid 19 has had on Just about the whole community. It aims to provide pastoral support and a listening ear to the recently bereaved and people directly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
  7. COVID-19 advice from the Diocese of Chichester here.

Please note that St Mary's are not responsible for the contents of external links

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