NOTICES - 27th April 2025

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

Please see the Calendar for Church Services 

Flowers at St Mary’s and St Andrew’s – A huge thankyou to the teams who clothed our churches with such beautiful arrangements of flowers. They are spectacular and added to the celebration of Easter. Thanks also to everyone who worked so hard in the preparation and in the running of all the services in our parish making this a truly joyous Easter Celebration.   

Thank you so very much for your generous donations totalling an amazing £638, towards the appeal for Myanmar earthquake victims via 'British Earthquake and Tsunami Support' (BEATS). We are very grateful. You may be interested to hear and see how your money has been used by attending a presentation at Holy Trinity Bosham 7.30 - 9.00pm Saturday 3rd May. The presentation will start with an account of two trustees' recent trip to Indonesia, followed by the information about the work in Myanmar. All welcome; refreshments provided. Sarah Page (BEATS' Chair).                                               www.beatscharity.co.uk

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.

80th Anniversary VE Day Celebrations 10th May from 12 Noon

Celebrations will be held at the Cricket Pitch West Ashling, with a Spitfire Fly Past. Bring your own picnic and rugs. Bar, Hot Dogs, Cream Teas, Competitions and Games. Entrance by ticket only. Adults £1 online, £2 on the day. Children free, from 

 
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 be held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month, from 5:00 - 6:00 pm.  Come and contribute your ideas and help plan our events to benefit the community in our Parish. 

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. The first meeting will be at Woodend House PO18 9BP on Tuesday 6th May. 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.

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:

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.


Annual Parochial Church Meeting 27th March 2025

Here are the documents for the APCM on 27th March 2025


The Alpha Course in Funtington - Q1 2025

Further background to The Alpha Course which started in Funtington on Wednesday 22nd January 2025


2025 - IMPORTANT ANNIVERSARIES

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

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