A busy weekend for us at St Marys! After the torrential downpours of Friday it was all hands on deck at 7:00 am to prepare the field for the Fete! Marvelous efforts by all concerned had the stalls ready for the opening at 2:00 pm. We were blessed with a lovely sunny day so different from the day before and as it turned out the day after! The theme of the Fete, Poldark and Cornwall, was reflected in a large number of black and white flags on many stalls, and the opening song, sung by the Choir with ample help from the assembled company with the chorus, of 'Trelawny' The Cornish national anthem!!

A splendid afternoon enjoyed by all, a wonderful community event. Many thanks to all who came, put it up, enjoyed the afternoon and then those who took it all down and cleared the field afterwards, and to the local businesses who sponsor us or supplied prizes and other help.

Pirate Treasure at the Cake Stall

Best in Show at the Dog Show

Sidlesham's famous Ice Cream!

Sunday morning dawned to pouring rain again, but at our 10:0'clock Eucharist  we heard the news that our hard work had paid off and we had made £500 more than last year, as Father Stephen pointed out, this was a great help as we are having a new boiler for the church at a considerable cost!! The Gospel reading was from St John recounting the feeding of the five thousand. As always with St John's Gospel there is much to understand and take away from his accounts, with many layers of understanding. Father Stephen spoke of these in his sermon, leaving us with much food for thought!
The Choir sang 'Panis Angelicus' setting by Cesar Frank as the anthem, and we finished out service with a spirited rendition of 'Guide me O though Great Redeemer' an end of term treat as the Choir is now officially on holiday for August.

Next Saturday at 6:00 pm at Russetts we are to be treated to a Yorkshire 'High Tea' to celebrate Yorkshire Day and raise some money for the New Rooms project. There are still a few tickets available from the Churh Wardens, do come along.

Our 10 o'clock service was Matins, as we have again reached the third Sunday of the month. The Old Testament reading was from Amos, and Father Stephen told us of his fondness for Amos, whom he had studied in his first term at Theological College. Amos is one of the group of prophets known as 'Seers' as their prophecies relate to foreseeing what is to come. He was preaching at the time when the two kingdoms, Israel and Judea,  were in operation, and he spoke out about  events in Israel and the behaviour of the King,  The book ends suddenly and is possible this is because he was so unpopular with his pronouncements that he was 'disposed of'. We are more suspicious today of those who pronounce with certainty extreme religious views, but we must stand up and declare our position when we see injustice..
The Choir sang 'A Clare Benediction' by John Rutter as the anthem. There was no coffee today as there was a baptism following the service.

Next Saturday is the Fete!! See you there!!

 This Sunday our 10 o'clock Eucharist was celebrated by Father Stephen. We were delighted to welcome Alan Thurlow to play the Organ for us, as Joanna was away. The Gospel this morning included the account of the death of John the Baptist, and the role of Herod and Salome. In his Sermon Father Stephen told us of the Herod Family and their terrible actions, but pointed out that Herod was fascinated by the preaching of John the Baptist. Many today are mired in terrible behaviours, but by turning to Christ all can be overcome. The Choir sang Ave Verum Corpus  in the setting by Edward Elgar as the anthem.

Many thanks to both Alan and Tina Thurlow for the music this morning.

The next big event for us is, of course, the Fete, to which ever one is welcome! But just beyond that on the 1st of August, which is Yorkshire Day, we are to have a Yorkshire Tea, Hilary Platts is preparing all sorts of Yorkshire treats for us, the tea will be served at 'Russetts' and tickets are now available for the Church Wardens, do come along!

Today as our Family Service we celebrated Sea Sunday. Mr Nick O'Neill from the Mission to Fisherman joined us and gave the address. The Whole service was about the Sea with the reading of the story of Jesus calming the Storm, and the Choir sand 'Never Weather Beaten Sail'  Words y Thomas Campion (1567-1620) setting by Charles Wood (1866-1926).
There was coffee after the service.
Next Saturday we have the concert by 'Frescala' The Saxaphonists, who visited us last November. They will be performing in the Garden at The Lyton's house in Highley, Tickets from the Curch Wardens!