Thursday 9th May
6:00 pm - Ascension Day Eucharist, St Mary's Funtington, with choir.
Sunday 12th May
8:00 am - Eucharist, St Mary's Funtington with Revd John Dane
Sharing the Chalice during Communion
We have been reminded by our visiting priests that Bishop Martin instructed the Diocese last year that we should all be sharing the Chalice during the Act of Communion and not to intinct (dip our wafers in the wine). This is because drinking from the silver Chalice is less of an infection risk than dipping the wafer. We have been told that if we do not wish to drink from the Chalice we can take communion by sharing the bread only.
Interregnum News - Update from the Parochial Church Council (PCC)
The PCC has taken time to consider the right way forward with advice from the Diocese, and we have made substantial progress, including planning our future and bringing our Interregnum to a close. The next stage is to write our Parish Profile. The PCC has promised to listen to everyone's points of view and to answer any concerns you may have about the future of our Parish. This will then enable the PCC to reflect your views in the Parish Profile which will form an important part of the process of recruiting a new vicar.
Whether or not you go to church, we would like to ask you the following questions:
- What do you want from your Church?
- What style of service do you like?
- How would you see our churches developing in the future? What is our future Mission?
- Who do we want to lead us in our Church’s future Mission?
Everyone is warmly invited to meet members of the PCC informally at different times and locations in the parish, or alternatively to leave your views in an envelope in each church for collection. Please see meeting dates and venues below:
Saturday 4th May from 10:30 - 11:30 am - Coffee at St Mary's Church in Funtington - very constructive meeting was held.
Tuesday 14th May from 6:00 – 7:30 pm - Share a drink at The Horse and Groom in East Ashling
Wednesday 22nd May from 6:30 – 7:30 pm - Share a drink at The Richmond Arms in West Ashling
Friday 24th May from 11:00 – 12:00 pm - Coffee at The Fox and Hounds in Funtington
The Bible course is running every Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm in the Funtington Church Room. It started on 17th April and runs for 8 weeks. This is an excellent course, providing an overview of the Bible using video presentations and group discussion. It is of a high quality and highly recommended. Everyone welcome. Please come along at any point during the course and give it a try. Please see Anne Maddock or Neil Watt for more details.
Tuesday Evening Home Group
This term the Home Group is running the very successful Alpha Course every Tuesday at 7:30 pm at 10 Lynch Down (except next week when it will be tomorrow, Monday 29th at 8:00 pm). Everyone welcome at any time during the 8-week course. Please see Eloise Rank or Neil Watt for more details.
Chidham School are still in need of a Governor
If you are interested please talk to Jessica Reid (Rural Dean)
Annual Parochial Church Meeting
The APCC Meeting was held in the church room St Mary’s Funtington on Thursday 21st March during which reviews of the accounts and other reports took place. Paul Wren, Caroline Noble and Pippa Kerr were re-elected as Church Wardens for the parish, and the other officers and members were elected onto the PCC.
Invitation to try Bell Ringing
On 21st April (the 3rd Sunday of every month), at St Mary’s Funtington. After our 10:00 am service you are invited to have a go at Bell Ringing. Anybody from 10 years old upwards can ring. Come and see if you would like to take up this wonderful activity.
Save the Date - 11th May - Plant sale, with cake and coffee. St Mary's Funtington.
Save the Date - 6th June - D-Day 80th Commemoration - See separate notice below
Evening BBQ & lighting the beacon; details to follow
Save the Date - 14th September - Sussex Historic Churches Trust - Ride and Stride
Data Protection Update
So that we are compliant with the Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) please would everyone complete the "Consent to Share" form at the back of each of our churches and return them to Deborah Hughes or the church wardens.
Vacancies on the PCC
We now have vacancies on the PCC if you think you may like to be more actively involved in the running of the Churches and the Parish in the New Year. No previous experience is needed. Please contact any members of PCC or Carolyn Watt for an application form.
Contactless Giving by Debit/Credit Card
We now have contactless giving machines in St Mary's Funtington, so you no longer need to bring cash to put in the collection plate. The St Andrew's West Stoke machine is having teething problems, in progress. You can donate by using your debit or credit card which will also help reduce Parish administration. If you are not sure how it works, please speak to one of the Churchwardens. Meanwhile, here is first QR code for online donations. Either scan it with your phone camera or click on the link to make a payment:
LOGS
Please let Neil Watt know if you know of anyone who may benefit from any logs (wattnwatt@gmail.com).
During the Interregnum the website is being regularly updated and any changes and future events will be there so please check from time to time. We also have a “WhatsApp” phone group to which information is also added. If you want to join this group please let Carolyn Watt know.