A grey day outside but not inside as we celebrated our Patronal Festival. The children stayed with us rather than go to do their stuff in the Parish rooms so the homily was a question and answer affair aimed at the children first then the adults. We learnt about the meaning of a Patronal Festival, Pilgrimage and Shrine, all about a journey to bring us closer to God. 

Father Chris told us about the modern 'Pilgrims' who visited our church on their way to the recently resurrected 'Pilgrim's Trail' , between the site of the original Cathedral and Abbey at Selsey and the current Chichester Cathedral. The trail has been created by the  Cathedral as it celebrates its 950th anniversary, and is in partnership with the British Pilgrimage Trust. It’s approximately 14.5 km long and is known as the Chichester 950 Way.

Join us at 5.30pm for a Festal Evensong with nibbles and drinks afterwards.

A reading from the book of the prophet Micah.

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Galatians.

When the fullness of time had come, 

God sent his Son, born of a woman, 

born under the law, 

in order to redeem those who were under the law, 

so that we might receive adoption as children. 

And because you are children, 

God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 

“Abba! Father!” 

So you are no longer a slave but a child,

 and if a child then also an heir through God.

Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God 

to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 

to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, 

of the house of David. 

The virgin’s name was Mary. 

And he came to her and said, 

“Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.”

But she was much perplexed by his words 

and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 

The angel said to her, 

“Do not be afraid, Mary, 

for you have found favour with God. 

And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, 

and you will name him Jesus. 

He will be great 

and will be called the Son of the Most High, 

and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 

He will reign over the house of Jacob forever,

and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 

Mary said to the angel, 

“How can this be, since I am a virgin?”

The angel said to her, 

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, 

and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; 

therefore the child to be born will be holy; 

he will be called Son of God. 

And now, 

your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, 

and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 

For nothing will be impossible with God.” 

Then Mary said, 

“Here am I, the servant of the Lord; 

let it be with me according to your word.” 

Then the angel departed from her.