NOTICES - 4th April 2026

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

- The Ideas Meetings: these will take place on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, now  from 4:45-5:45pm.

- The Lay Worship Planning Meetings: this is a new series of meetings to plan the content of the services on the 3rd Sunday of each month at St Mary's Funtington. These will take place on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.

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

All three 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. 

Chichester Food Bank

After the generous collection of food for the Chichester food bank at our Harvest Service last year please don’t forget to donate food on a regular basis. This charity needs our help. Last year we collected the equivalent of 187 meals for the Food Bank. Please continue to donate food generously at St Mary’s church so we can beat this total in 2026.

The Annual Parochial Council Meeting
The APCM will be held after the lay led Morning service on April 19th at 11.30 at St Mary’s Church, Funtington.
If you would like to join the PCC, become more involved with the Parish and to find out what it involves please talk to Revd Jo, Caroline or Pippa (Church Wardens). Application forms are available at the back of St Mary’s Church, Funtington.
Electoral Role

The Electoral Role is being updated now. If you wish to be included, please contact Sue Smithers at sue@thesmithers.com.

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 in 2023 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.

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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