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30 July 2013


This weekend has been the busiest of the year for St Mary's and Sidlesham! On Saturday the Church Fete, busier than ever, and despite a sharp shower of rain in the middle, the total takings exceeds last year. Amazing hard work from so many members of the Church and Village. Wonderful to see so many people coming to the Fete, some from far afield and many from close by. Special thanks to the Fete committee for their hard work, and an especial thanks to those who helped to rescue Tents and Gazebos which were battered by the weather overnight on Saturday.

 Sunday morning dawned clearer with the occasional shower cloud going over, as we assembled for the Parish Eucharist at 10 o'clock. The Gospel reading, from Luke, recounted how Jesus taught us to pray, and Father Stephen continued this theme in his sermon. The Choir sang 'What Wondrous Love is this' music by Geoffrey Weaver as the Anthem, and there was coffee after the service.

 Sunday Afternoon was the long expected visit of the Bishop of Chichester. We assembled in and around the church to examine the layout of the new building marked out on the grass, and to drink a glass of champagne. Bishop Martin arrived at 3:00pm and was asked to ceremonially remove the first piece of turf which he duly did, and offered some very positive and encouraging remarks about the project. We then went into the church and were treated to music. Joanna Chivers Gibbs and Beryl Rodd played several pieces from the Dolly Suit by Gabriel Faure, the Choir sang some folk songs, The Lark in the Clear Air, All in the April Evening, Linden Lea, The Long Day Closes, Country Gardens, and the Irish Blessing. As people took tea in the Tent on the Vicarage Lawn, Joanna and Beryl played 'Eine Klein Nachtmusic' by WA Mozart, the music was relayed to the tea tent with a very high quality of sound reproduction allowing us all to share their excellent performance. Finally Joanna and James Roriston played a Bach Organ Duet, showing their talent and the joy of our (relatively) new Organ. The Bishop left after tea, many people stayed on enjoying the sunshine and the wonderful tea supplied by the WI! In addition to being an excellent occasion we also raised some money towards the Annex project.


Champagne anyone?
 

 
Just a piece about this size please!
25 July 2013
Bishop Martin of Chichester will symbolically 'turn the first turf' in preparation for the building of the new parish rooms next to the church.

All are welcome to come along and meet the Bishop and listen to the music but if you would like to partake of the delicious champagne tea which will be on offer, you will need a ticket. These are available from the churchwardens and are £5 each or £12.50 for a family ticket.
21 July 2013
The third Sunday in the month brings Mattins again, with our readings from the King James Bible. Another beautiful summer's morning greeted us as we came together in worship. The readings, taken from Genesis and St Luke's Gospel, recounted examples of the virtue of hospitality, and Father Stephen explored this theme further in his Sermon. The Psalm set for the day was psalm 52, and the Choir sang the Benedictus in a setting by C.V. Stanford, who also wrote the Anthem 'Oh for a Closer Walk with God'. The final hymn was a rousing 'Stand up, Stand up for Jesus!'.

Next weekend will be very busy the Fete on Saturday to be followed by Tea with Bishop Martin on Sunday Afternoon. every one iswelcome to come and meet  Bishop Martin, but to cover costs and hopefully raise some money towards the new Parish Rooms, we will be asking you to buy a ticket for your Tea and Champagne!! Buy tickets (£5 per person or £12.50 for a family of four) from the Church Wardens in advance!!

High summer at St Mary's, indoors and out

After all the excitement of the last few weeks, it was lovely to have a straightforward parish eucharist on this beautiful summer Sunday morning. This was refected in the first hymn, 'When Morning Guilds the Sky'.For his sermon, Father Stephen spoke about the collect for the day, which extols True Religion. Father Stephen spoke of hearing Bishop John preach on the same collect during his time at the Theoogical College in Chichester, which led him to reflect on the wonderful occasion of his 25th anniversary two weeks ago.
The Anthem was Faure's Ave Verum Corpus. This was sung by the ladies giving the gentlemen a rest for a week.

Dont forget 27th July the Fete!!!!
The perfect summers day
09 July 2013
This Sunday the first in the month was our Family Eucharist. On a perfect summer Sunday morning the Service was made very special by the fact that those who were confirmed at the service at St Pauls Church in Chichester last Thursday evening were receiving communion in their home church for the first time. Each newly confirmed person was presented with a candle as a symbol of the Light of Christ. The Sunday School in their presentation urged us to to be FAT Christians, F for faithful, A for adaptable, and T for Teachable! The Choir sang the 'Irish Blessing' traditional words set to music by Bob Chilcot. There was coffee after the service. The Churchyard working party met on Saturday morning in beautiful sunshine and have been doing sterling work! The next event in our Calender is the Fete on the 27th of July followed closely on the 28th by our Champagne Tea Party and visit from Bishop Martin. All are welcome to come and meet the Bishop, but to partake of Champagne and/or Tea, please buy a ticket from The Church Wardens, we hope to cover costs and raise some more towards the New Parish Rooms!! />
The Servers, many newly confirmed, take part in the Euchatrist


The newly Confirmed members of the congregation receive a candle from Father Stephen

before the Service


The Churchyard showing the efforts of Saturday's working party

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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