NOTICES - 20th September 2025

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

Church In Our Community Meetings

- The Prayer Group Meetings: These have moved to Wednesdays from 5-6pm, alternating with the Ideas Meetings each week, taking place on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month

- The Ideas Meetings: these will take place on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, also from 5-6pm.

Where there is a 5th Wednesday there will be no meetings that day.

Both meetings are open to everyone. There is a growing recognition in our churches of the importance of prayer. We have seen many answers to prayer in the last year. We encourage you to come and join us in this central activity, whenever you are able, as we look forward to the coming year with expectation. 

Homegroup Autumn Schedule

The Funtington Homegroup is open to everyone and we hope to welcome some new members as we restart for the autumn on Monday 29th September. We are excited to be joining 100s of other churches around the UK to read Bear Grylls's book 'The Greatest Story Ever Told' over 5 weeks from mid-October. There will be more detail in the October magazine but this book is a really gripping setting of the Gospels as told in the form of eye witness accounts from different people.

Before starting the Big Church Read we will be studying some of Jesus's parables using videos by David Ingles.
The Homegroup will be meeting on Monday nights to avoid the clash with bell ringing practice and will meet at 7pm in one of our homes as follows:
29th September - Lost and found - David Ingles parable series - 10 Lynch Down, Funtington
6th October - The Best Thing Ever - 10 Lynch Down
13th October - Never Give Up - Woodend House, Downs Road, West Stoke
20th October - Big Church Read No.1
See Calendar for other dates
 
The Bereavement Journey
 For anyone, bereaved at any time, please see this 7-session course at St John's Southbourne

Appointment of the new Archdeacon

The Reverend Dr Tom Carpenter, Parish Priest of Holy Trinity & St Luke's Southport, has been appointed as the next Archdeacon of Chichester. 

Acting Rural Dean

From July 16th our Acting Rural Dean will be The Reverend Tom Robson from Southbourne, this is while Mother Jessica is on her Maternity leave, we give her thanks for all her support and advice and wish her joy.

Please see the Calendar for Church Services 

 

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.


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.


Appointment of our new Priest in Charge

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


2025 - IMPORTANT ANNIVERSARIES

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

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