With Christmas Eve falling on a Thursday, we have had a very busy weekend celebrating the Nativity of Our Lord. The Midnight Service on Thursday  at 11 pm, was the traditional Eucharist of Christmas, The church was full of people, despite the heavy rain, and looked lovely with the 4 Advent Candles joined by the white candle of Christmas, the Crib set up at the front of the Church, and the candles all lit. We started our service in candle light, bringing up the main lights during the first hymn. The sermon was given by Father Roger, who con-celebrated with Father Stephen. The Choir sang 'Oh Little One Sweet, and 'Ding Dong Verily On High ' We sang Hark the Herald Angels Sing as our final Hymn. We left Church wishing each other a Merry Christmas.












On Christmas morning we had two services, first a Children's Service with nativity tableau, and blessing of gifts, followed by a Eucharist with Carols, at which the choir sang 'Away in a Manger'

On the 26th of December the Feast of St Stephen, there was a said Eucharist, and on the 27th the first Sunday of Christmas there was a 10 am Eucharist, all joyful celebrations of this happy festival of the Nativity.

This Sunday morning our 10 am Service was Mattins. The readings were from the Prophet Micah and St Luke's Gospel.  In his sermon Father Stephen pointed out that during Advent we have had readings from the Prophets at each of our services. This is to emphasis that the story of the coming of Our Lord was not a surprise, but had been foretold over many hundreds of years in the Old Testament, indeed the Jews were expecting their Messiah to come as a King and political leader to lead them to freedom. They had not listened closely enough to realise that the kingdom of the Messiah was not a temporal state but a spiritual state. The reading from Micah foretold that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem, and our Lady Mary was to deliver Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem, the  anniversary of which is now only days away.

The Choir sang 'the Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came' an old basque carol (Birjina gaztetto bat zegoen) arranged by Edgar Pettman.


At 6 pm we held our Service of 9 Lessons and Carols. We follow the traditional set of readings, from the King James version of the Bible, each reading by a member of the community, after the bidding prayer, our first lesson, the story of Adam and Eve, was read by two of the Junior Choristers, to be followed by a sidesman, PCC member, Parish Councillors,a minibus driver, a Church warden and Father Stephen. The Choir sang 'The Truth From Above' an English carol collected from Herefordshire, music arranged by Raph Vaughn Williams, Up good Christen Folk, and Listen, from Piaes Cantiones harmony by G.R. Woodward. I sing of a maiden a Middle English lyric poem set to music by Patrick Hadley. Resonemus Laudibus, a 14th century English Carol arranged by Sir David Willcocks. Rocking, a traditional Czech carol translated by Percy Dearmer, arranged by Sir David Willcocks,  was sung by the Junior Choristers with an underlying harmony from a demi choir of adults. Tomorrow shall be my Dancing Day a traditional English Carol arranged by Sir David Willcocks and finally 'I saw Three Ships' a 17th century carol also arranged by Sir David Willcocks..

 In addition the Choir and Congregation sang a selection of hymns and carols including an unaccompanied rendition of Away in a Manger, a lively version of the First Nowel, and finishing with God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen. It was a splendid start to our Christmas celebrations, many thanks to all who prepared the church, lit the candles, prepared and performed the music and read the lessons, and acted as sidespersons!

Our next Christmas Service is on Christmas eve at 11:00 pm (please note the time).

The first day of the new church year, Advent Sunday. Our 10 am Eucharist opened with the choir singing the 'Matin Responsory' by Palestrina. The solemn season of Advent, looking forwards to Christmas is a time of quiet contemplation. The first candle of the Advent ring was lit and the service began. In his sermon Father Stephen told us that time and patience were required to be ready for Our Lord. Modern society wants everything now. Impatience is a modern phenomenon. Advent is all about waiting, focusing our minds on the second coming and judgement.  "Oh come quickly" we sing in an advent hymn, but do we really mean it? The prophet Isaiah looked for the coming like a watchman - looking from afar and looking out for a sign. Advent is a time of anticipation, when every tear is wiped away, salvation, death destroyed forever.Forgiveness was at hand for the Jews if they would repent. Not a remote angry God but a loving brother - "I will give you rest".
The anthem after communion was Farrant "Call to remembrance O Lord".  

In the Afternoon we had our now traditional making of advent wreaths and tea. This lovely event took place in the Church Hall, where we gathered to assemble our own Advent Rings, to take home and light a candle each Sunday until Christmas all materials were provided, and a fantastic choice of 'greenery' to add to the ring! After everyone had finished their ring they were all placed on the central tables and the first candle lit, We gathered around and Father Stephen blessed the rings. We then were treated to a splendid tea, many thanks to Anwyl who organised the rings and prepared them, and all who contributed greenery, and to the tea team, Anne and Marilyn. This lovely event marks the beginning of our Advent preparations.

Events in the next few weeks!!
Sunday 29th November Advent Ring Making in the Church Hall, from 3 pm, including Tea. Please sign up on the list in Church so we can have numbers for catering. Each ring including all materials £12:50, In aid of the New Rooms project. Max number 20 so sign up soon!!

St Mary's Christmas Fair Saturday 5th December 2pm in the Church Hall.

In the evening the mood changed from joyous to sombre as we had our Requiem service for All Souls Day. At the beginning of the service there was a dedication for the legilium fall which has been donated in memory of Valerie Thorncroft. The service included the setting of the Requiem by Gabriel Faure, sung by the Choir plus other singers who joined us for the occasion. The soloists were Sarah Amos (Soprano) and Peter Webster (Baritone) Peter also conducted the choir. The Organ was played by Joanna Chivers Gibbs. There were about 80 people in the congregation, many of whom had relatives who had died recently. A list of the departed was place in repose on the altar during the service. This moving service is a great comfort to them, and has become a valued part of our year at Sidlesham. Many thanks to all who took part.

Our Baritone Soloist and Conductor Peter Webster

Candles for the departed

Autumn is with us

We have had a busy weekend at St Marys, with both Saturday and Sunday taken up with activities. On Saturday morning the choir were once again singing in Chichester Cathedral for the annual Prayer Book Society service of Holy Communion. The setting was that by H. Darke in the key of  F major. The choir also sang an Anthem 'Tatum Ergo' setting by Vienne. This was a very enjoyable event especially appreciated by our young choristers and their families.
In the evending we enjoyed our Harvst Supper, once again a triumph of organisation, feeding all the people and of entertainments with the traditional readings and sketches. A big thank you to all involved.
On Sunday morning at our Harvest Eucharist, which as it is the first Sunday in the month was a family service, we had a special presentation to two of the Sunday School team, Mary and Judy, who have reluctantly decided to 'retire' after many, many years of service.  Mary has quite exceptionally worked with the young people of St Mary's for certainly 40+ years and probably 50+ years but no-one, including Mary, knows for sure!  The young people, past and present, of the parish decorated personalised a bowl and jug for Mary and Judy to show their appreciation.
The church was wonderfully decorated with produce, and this was a most joyful service. The choir sang 'Look at teh world' by John Rutter.

On Sunday evening the village harvest service took place, with a wonderful contribution of two songs by Siddlesham Primary School choir. In this service gifts were presented and the traditional Harvesy hymns were sung.
A Busy weekend indeed