NOTICES - 12th May 2025

Please see here for news of the appointment of our new Priest in Charge.

Please see the Calendar for Church Services 

The Octagon Parish Pilgrimage to the Cathedral will take place on 31st May and all are welcome. Half way there will be a Eucharist Service at St Andrew’s, West Stoke around 12.00. The intention is to arrive at the Cathedral and stay for Evensong at 5:30pm. We will be planning our own “mini “Parish pilgrimage and Cathedral visit later in the summer. Details will be announced soon.

Church In Our Community Meetings

- The Prayer Meetings will be held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month, from 5:00 - 6:00 pm in the St Mary's Funtington Church Room. Do come and join us for a short time of prayer for all aspects of our church and community life.

- The Ideas Meetings will now be held less frequently ahead of the summer break, on Wednesdays 28th May and 25th June, from 5:00 - 6:00 pm.  Come and contribute your ideas and help plan our events to benefit the community in our Parish. We will then take a break and start again in September. Everyone warmly welcome!

Wednesday Study Group - 12:30 - 14:00 - bring your own lunch/sandwiches

Following the successful Alpha Course, the Study Group will be meeting once a month, starting on Wednesday, 30th April in the Funtington Church Room at 12:30pm, focusing on the whole question of the relevance and importance of prayer, supported by videos.

Tuesday Evening Home Group at 7pm.

The Home Group is starting again with the study of the Book of Daniel at the earlier time of 7:00pm, finishing at 8:30pm. Meetings will be at Woodend House PO18 9BP on Tuesdays. Do get in touch if you would like to join: wattnwatt@gmail.com.

Everyone warmly welcome to both groups!

Car Parking

Please can we remind everyone that we officially only have 2 disabled parking spaces and we cannot use the top end of the vicarage drive to turn around. Unfortunately this is still not being respected. Thank you for your cooperation.

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.

Chidham School are still in need of a Governor

If you are interested please talk to Jessica Reid (Rural Dean)

Invitation to try Bell Ringing at St Mary's Funtington

Have you ever thought of trying this fascinating hobby? The next "have a go" session is on Sunday 16th June. You need to be 12 years old or over. Come and see if you would like to take up this wonderful activity.

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.

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:

QR Code for donations

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.


Appointment of our new Priest in Charge

Introduction to the Rev.Jo King, our new Priest in Charge


Pastoral Reorganisation - Consultation Deadline

Consultation Deadline: 2nd June 2025 A Diocese Notice giving the objects of proposed pastoral reorganisation affecting this parish has been displayed near the main doors of all our churches and on the Church of England website. The Notice includes the last date by which representations regarding the proposed reorganisation may be made to the Church Commissioners. This includes plans for the sale of the Funtington vicarage.


2025 - IMPORTANT ANNIVERSARIES

1,700th Anniversary of the Nicene Creed - 950th Anniversary of the Diocese of Chichester and Chichester Cathedral

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