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Sunday, 27 July 2014
On Saturday afternoon we were blessed with a glorious hot, sunny afternoon for the Annual Church Fete. This year the theme of the Fete was 'The last summer of peace 1914' and many of the stall holders and helpers were dressed accordingly. The crowds came in at 2:00pm to see Charlotte Hawkins of ITV's good morning programme, and daughter of Canon Hawkins a former incumbent of St Mary our Lady, open the proceedings. All the traditional Fete activities, Dog Show, Runaway Train, Bouncy Castle, Tea Tent, various tombolas, Cake stall, Grand Draw, Tug of War competition, to name but a few were enthusiastically undertaken by the attendees. The Chichester City Band played a medley of songs from1914 amongst their programme, and food of all kinds, cakes, barbecue food, and Caroline's Dairy Ice cream were all available. A popular innovation this year was guess the age of the calves, which turned out to be 8 days old! At 4pm Father Stephen drew the winning tickets for the Grand Draw and the process of clearing up began,
Many thanks to every one who worked so hard to make the Fete happen, but especially to our 2 suffragette Church Wardens, and also thanks to all who came and spent their money. At the time of writing the total is edging towards £6500! or very near that sum!.

On Sunday morning we came together to celebrate the Eucharist at 10am. Father Stephen was the celebrant, and the choir sang :Jesu Joy of Mans Desiring' By JS Bach. There was coffee after the service and much discussion of the success of the Fete!!
Many thanks to every one who worked so hard to make the Fete happen, but especially to our 2 suffragette Church Wardens, and also thanks to all who came and spent their money. At the time of writing the total is edging towards £6500! or very near that sum!.
Winner, best decorated stall |
Winners best costumes |
dog most like its owner 2nd place |
All ages enjoyed the fete |
8days old! |
Sunday, 20 July 2014
This Sunday, the third in the month our 10 o'clock service was Mattins. The Service was particularly well attended as it was rather a special one. The choir sang 'Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes' by Thomas Attwood, words from Psalm 119, as the anthem. At the end of the service we were joined by the Sunday school, who had
all brought their Teddy Bears to church. Father Stephen told us that the
Bears had been in intensive training, as they were doing a parachute
jump from the top of the church tower after the service. He was
confident that no bears would be injured in the jump. He then blessed
the children and their bears, and the choir sang 'The Teddy Bears
Picnic' (words by Jimmy Kennedy, music by John Bratton arranged by
Andrew Carter). The children then went outside and prepared their bears
parachutes. The teddy bears were then taken up the tower (by two adults) and
parachuted off!! The bears were sponsored in their jumps, and the money
will go to support the Family Support Worker for the Chichester
Diocese, thanks to every one who sponsored a bear!! The children and
their parents then enjoyed a picnic lunch of their own.
Dont forget to come to the Fete on Saturday!!!!
Father Stephen blesses the children and their bears |
Not only children bought bears! |
Some bears with a military background |
some civilian bears |
bears helped to serve |
making the parachutes |
some bears were too elderly to jump but came to watch |
these bears bought their own picnic |
my bear can fly!! |
preparing a parachutist |
catching the bears in a blanket |
Dont forget to come to the Fete on Saturday!!!!
Monday, 14 July 2014
This Sunday the Eucharist was celebrated by Father Roger, who is kindly looking after us while Father Stephen is on leave. Some 40 people joined together to sing some very well known hymns and to hear Father Roger's stirring sermon on the sewing of seeds! The Choir sang 'Lead us Lord' by Samuel Wesley. The service was followed by coffee in the North Transept.
The Fete is approaching rapidly, please do come along to the Church Fete on the afternoon of Saturday 26th of July. Stall holders would be glad of donations, in the form of glass and china, or cakes, or contributions to the refreshments tent, please contact the church wardens, or look in this months edition of the Sidlesham Parishioner for the phone numbers of stall holders! Most importantly come along to the Fete,this year the theme is '100 years ago the last summer of peace' so expect to see some stall holders in appropriate dress. Most importantly come along to the Fete,
The Fete is approaching rapidly, please do come along to the Church Fete on the afternoon of Saturday 26th of July. Stall holders would be glad of donations, in the form of glass and china, or cakes, or contributions to the refreshments tent, please contact the church wardens, or look in this months edition of the Sidlesham Parishioner for the phone numbers of stall holders! Most importantly come along to the Fete,this year the theme is '100 years ago the last summer of peace' so expect to see some stall holders in appropriate dress. Most importantly come along to the Fete,
Sunday, 6 July 2014
This first Sunday of the month, our Family Service was a special occasion. Four of our five junior choristers were presented with their first Royal School of Church Music awards. They have all passed the first test in the Junior Chorister programme, and were accordingly invested with their medals and light blue ribbons. One of the choristers couldnt be with us this morning and she will receive her medal and ribbon later. Father Roger was in charge of the service and presentation as Father Stephen is on leave. The candidates were presented to him by Mrs Joanna Chivers, the Organist and Choir Director, and Miss Beryl Rodd who has helped to prepare the candidates. The Choristers with their new ribbons and medals were then presented to the congregation and received a well deserved round of applause.
During communion the Choir sang 'What Wondrous Love is This' Words and music by Geoffrey Weaver.
Coffee was served after the service.
During communion the Choir sang 'What Wondrous Love is This' Words and music by Geoffrey Weaver.
Coffee was served after the service.
the junior choristers were presented to Father Rodger |
Each Chorister received a light blue ribbon and medal |
presentation to the congregation |
The Choristers with Miss Rodd |
Tuesday, 1 July 2014
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Kristina Dolan with Fr Stephen |


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Service Times
Services are suspended.
The church is open during daylight hours for personal prayer and reflection.

Useful links
Here are some links to resources you may find helpful:
- Chichester Cathedral will be live streaming services. For the Eucharist and order of service Click here before 10:00am Sunday and follow the instructions.
- The BBC Daily Service is available here.
- Prayer for today.
- The C of E youtube channel.
- We will be updating Fr Stephens Message page on a regular basis.
- 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.
- COVID-19 advice from the Diocese of Chichester here.
