NOTICES - 28th November 2024

Christmas Music Fair with Crafts

- Saturday 30th November 2-5pm at St Mary's Funtington. Come and join us for a varied programme of music with an interesting selection of craft stalls, ready for your Christmas shopping! Volunteers for cakes and coffee needed (please contact Deborah Hughes). 
Advent Lunch
- Tuesday 3rd December 12:15-2:00pm at St Mary's Funtington Church Room. Email wattnwatt@gmail.com or phone Carolyn Watt on 01243 575566 if you would like to come. Volunteers needed for this event also.
Jack Tupper

- Thursday 5th December: The funeral of Jack Tupper will take place at 12:00 pm at St Mary's Funtington. Everyone is welcome. Our prayers go out to Jack's family.

See the Calendar for Church Services

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 18th November, 2nd and 16th December, 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 27th November, 11th December, 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)

The Parish profile for Funtington West Stoke and Sennicotts and Chidham was reviewed this week at the PCC meeting on Thursday 26th October and approved. It has now been forwarded to Mother Jessica (our Rural Dean) and to Archdeacon Luke so that the post can be advertised. The interview panel will be chosen by the PCC nearer the time. Please pray for the speedy appointment of the right person to lead us in our spiritual growth.

Study Group

The current Study Group topic will be The Bible Society's Romans Course. This is a ten-session programme which helps you study Paul’s letter to the Romans. The course tackles ten big themes found in the book of Romans which are key to understanding the Christian faith. Find out more here: https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/resources/the-romans-course/. The first session starts on 2nd October at 1:30pm in St Mary's Church Room, Funtington.
Tuesday Evening Home Group

The Home Group Bible Studies started on Tuesday 24th September until Christmas at Neil and Carolyn Watt's home. We are studying the Book of James. 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.


2025 - IMPORTANT ANNIVERSARIES

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

Powered by Church Edit