On a lovely summers morning we met at 10 o'clock for Matins. The festival of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is widely celebrated in the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church, is also acknowledged by the Anglican Church, and as our Patron is St Mary, we also held St Mary in our prays and hymns today. Father Stephen, in his sermon, said that we now have St Mary in perspective with in Anglicanism, an important Saint who's veneration helps us to understand Our Lord better. The New Testament reading of the Magnificat from St Luke's Gospel was his starting point for looking at Her role in the Gospel story and he told us that she ended her days in Ephesus in the Christian community founded by St Paul, so much of what she knew of her Son was communicated to St Peter and St Paul and formed part of the shaping of the early Church.
There was no anthem as the choir is in recession for August.

Please do consider coming on the Evening Cruise of Chichester Harbour on Saturday the 6th of September, tickets from the Church Wardens £12 each to include refreshments.
Also coming up we have 2 concerts, on the 20th of September, Alex Palmer, Family and Friends will be performing followed by Tea, and on the 18th of October we have a concert by our friend and long time favourite, Tom Cooper also followed by tea. details nearer the time but put the dates in your diary!!