This morning our 10 am service was a Parish Eucharist celebrated by Father Stephen. This was the last Sunday of August and so the choir, and quite a few members of the congregation were still on holiday. The first reading today from the Letter to the Hebrews, and the Gospel from Luke were both discussing the behaviour of a good Christian. Much useful advice was given for a virtuous life, including two themes of Hospitality and Humility. Father Stephen continued this discussion in his sermon, concluding that true hospitality, to those who cannot repay you, with a humble approach to life is the way to the Kingdom.
There was coffee after the service and we were treated to Joanna playing Bach, Toccata and Fugue in D as we drank our coffee.

Next Sunday will be our Patronal Festival, as we celebrate the birth of our Lady.

  On a blustery and unseasonable Sunday morning we met at 10 am for Mattins. A good turn out of people, even though we are in peak holiday time, joined in and sang the canticles, some of psalm 103 and some familiar hymns. The choir is technically on holiday in August so there was no Anthem. There was coffee after the service and by the time we left for home the rain had passed on the brisk south westerly wind.

Our War Memorial with its red white and blue flowers

Details from some of our ancient grave stones

A beautiful sunny summers day this Sunday for our celebration of the beginning of the Eternal life of St Mary Our Lady. In the topsy turvy way of the Church calendar, we celebrate her arrival in heaven, some three weeks before the celebration of her birth, which we keep as our Patronal festival in September. In his sermon Father Stephen told us about the Events of Mary, a celebration in Lebanon where both Christians and Muslims, so recently waging a civil war against each other, come together and share a celebration of the life of St Mary, venerated in both religions, where all participants pray the Lords Prayer, and Muslim prayers together. The hope for the Middle East and for the world is surely to come together in prayer.
The choir is in recess at present so we sang a hymn during communion. There was coffee after the service.

This Sunday was the fifth Sunday in July, our service was a Eucharist, and the Choir sang the Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei in the setting by Herbert Sumsion. In his Sermon Father Stephen referred to the terrible events in France during the week. He quoted some lines from TS Elliot's Death in the Cathedral, about St Thomas A Becket which had been referred to by Archbishop Justin who concluded that 'Thomas is a sign to us of eternal hope'. The last Hymn 'God is working his purpose out' was particularly appropriate.

There was coffee after the service

Some of the beautiful flowers from Beth and Dan's wedding on Sunday afternoon.

A busy weekend at St Mary's with the fete on Saturday, and some solo singing in our Sunday Eucharist.
Saturday dawned a perfect English summers day with blue skies and a light breeze. The wind did pick up a little in the afternoon which was helpful as it would otherwise have been too hot! The traditional range of stalls, activities, the dog show, the classic cars, the runaway train were all there. The theme of the fete was '90 glorious years' and many stall holders were dressed in red white and blue to reflect the loyal theme. The fete was opened by another 90 year old, our own Deirdre Wade-Smith, who was driven to the podium in a classic Alvis car and duly declared the fete open. There followed 2 hours of hectic activity, accompanied by the Chichester City Band, and in glorious sunshine. We had more visitors than ever, aided perhaps by the presence of a sea fret or fog down in Selsey keeping people off the beach, this could be clearly seen by those who ascended the church tower, another of our attractions. Tug of war competitions were a feature of the second half of the fete, and congratulations to the City Band who won! At 4 o'clock after drawing the winning tickets for the Grand Draw, and finishing our delicious ice creams from 'Caroline's Dairy' the fete closed and the great clear up began.

Classic Cars

The ice cream van arriving

Chichester City Band preparing

The line of people waiting for the fete to open!

This morning on a warm summer's day we met at 10 am for Mattins. The readings today, from the King James version,  told the stories of Abram and Sarah meeting the three men/angels in the desert, and Mary and Martha discussing their roles with Our Lord. In his sermon Father Stephen discussed the role of hospitality in the Bible stories and in our present day life in the Church, we strive to welcome without over whelming! The story of Mary and Martha is interpreted differently than it used to be, we now see both their roles as valuable, but draw from it that we must not become so focused on tasks that we loose our spiritual connection to the Lord.

The Choir sang the Jubilate Deo in the setting by C V Stanford and The Anthem' Jesu Joy of  Man's Desiring'  setting by J S Bach.
There was coffee after the Service

Next Saturday the Fete!!! don't forget to join us between 2 and 4 at the annual Church Fete, one of the highlights of the year!



 

We met for our Parish Eucharist at 10 am on a blustery and rainy Sunday morning. The Gospel this morning, from St Luke told the story of Jesus sending out the 70 followers to proclaim the good news. In his Sermon Father Stephen extolled us to be more than personally involved with our faith, but to find our talents and use them for the church and community, not necessarily in preaching the Gospel, but that contribution that we can individually offer.
The Choir  sang 'Tantum Ergo' in the setting by Louis Vierne. There was coffee after the service, and as we left the Church the weather began to clear a little!

On the previous Thursday we had held a service of celebration for the life of our good friend Hans Florin, who died at the end of May. Hans nephew Henry Florin joined us from Germany for this service and gave a wonderful address charting Hans's life up to and including his time with us in Sidlesham. Hans contributed so much to the life of St Marys and to the village of Sidlesham, his passing to join his first wife Dorothy and his son Mark, who predecease him, is sad, but we are sure that his soul is joined with Our Lord and those he loved, and we remember him with joy.

Don't forget the Fete is approaching rapidly the 23rd of July will see the traditional Village Fete once more, the theme this year is 90 Glorious Years, so red white and blue are likely to be in abundance! Come and join us between 2 and 4 for all the stalls, competitions, the dog show, and an opportunity to go up the Church Tower for a splendid view of our surroundings! See you there!!