NOTICES - 18th December 2024

See the Calendar for Church Services

The Alpha Course - see the separate Notice for further details

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. Prayers are on 6th and 20th January 2025. 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.  The next ideas meetings are on 15th and 29th January. Come and contribute your ideas and help plan our events to benefit the community in our Parish. 

Everyone warmly welcome!

Interregnum News - Update from the Parochial Church Council (PCC)

We have agreed the name of our new Benefice, namely:

The Benefice of Chidham with Hambrook, Funtington, West Stoke with Sennicotts

We are in the closing phases of the recruitment process for our new vicar and the interview panel been chosen by the PCC (Andrew Hughes and James Noble). The post will be advertised in January. Please pray for the speedy appointment of the right person to lead us in our spiritual growth.

Study Group

The Study Group has now finished The Bible Society's Romans Course. The Alpha Course is next - come and join us!  See the separate Notice as well as this link: https://alpha.org.uk/try-alpha
Tuesday Evening Home Group

The Home Group Bible Studies has now successfully finished its study of the Book of James and we are planning the next course. Do get in touch if you would like to join: wattnwatt@gmail.com.

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.


The Alpha Course in Funtington - Q1 2025

Further background to The Alpha Course which is starting in Funtington on Wednesday 22nd January at 12:30pm


2025 - IMPORTANT ANNIVERSARIES

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

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