Our youngest daughter, Victoria Parker, is running in the London Marathon on Sunday 22nd April this year. In memory of her two sisters, Mary & Elizabeth and her cousin, Olivia, all of whom died at a very young age from incurable illnesses, she has adopted CHILDREN WITH CANCER UK as the charity for whom she is running. You will have your own charities which you are supporting, but if you felt able to support this one, you can sponsor Victoria on her web page http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ParkerV or on one of the sponsorship forms in both churches. In any event, please do remember her and the Charity in your prayers.
The latest issue is now available, call 01273 425791 to order a subscription. Read the magazine online. Stop Press: The deadline for the Valentines Lush Giveaway has been extended until the 20th of February 2012.
If you have something you would like included in a future e-Bulletin please e-mail Tallie Proud. Send in your contributions by the 8th of March for the next edition.
February 2012
We have received some encouraging comments regarding the new look e-Bulletin. Thank you to all those who took the time to e-mail Church House with their feedback.
Comment from…
The Very Revd, Nicholas Frayling, Dean of Chichester Cathedral writes: "Six years ago I was recovering in hospital, when an old friend I had not seen for years came bounding in. He picked me up, gave me a hug and explained that he had come to tell me how much he valued our friendship while I was still alive, rather than tell everyone after I had died! It was such a generous gesture that it did wonders for my recovery.
I find that incident helpful when I think about the keeping of Lent. During these forty days, the Church calls its members to repent and prepare for Christ’s Resurrection at Easter. It is a call to conversion: a turning away from and a turning towards; as Ecclesiastes puts it (3:6) ‘A time for losing and a time for keeping.’
This is not so much a call to give up some luxury (though that may well be helpful) as to bring to others, as well as ourselves, the consolation and hope which are the unique features of the Easter message.
There are many ways we can show people how much we value them, in actions and in words, not least those with whom we find ourselves in disagreement within the life of the Church. May these forty days remind us that we are all one in Jesus Christ."
Churches Purchasing Scheme (CPS) Many Churches have used CPS and may not know that most of the scheme's benefits are due to end, with the following exceptions: Smartwater, Roof alarms (PDF), and Fire extinguishers. For general enquiries, please e-mail Paul Playford.
Stewardship Officer vacancy The Diocese is looking for a part-time Stewardship Officer to cover the East of the Diocese.
Schools Support Officer vacancy The Diocese is looking for a part-time Schools Support Officer from September 2012.
You never get a second chance to make a first impression The website A Church Near You can only ever be as useful, in advertising your church to prospective churchgoers, as the information you publish to the site. Please e-mail Sampson Scoble for help and advice on making the site work for your church.
Growing through serving Becoming more involved in your community is an excellent way of growing your church. The Church Urban Fund has published new research that shows that serving the community promotes an increased understanding of your church, helps to meet social need, and offers better uses for Church buildings. A guide has also been published by the Church in Society department.
Leading your Church into Growth - Conference datesannounced This course deals with principles that can be applied in every parish Church. Around ten percent of stipendiary clergy in the country have completed the course.
Confirmations in Chichester and Horsham Permission for all confirmations in Chichester and Horsham need to be directed through to the Bishop of Horsham’s office. Please e-mail Shirley Steers or Elise Gallagher, alternatively ring 01403 211139.
Plant Jubilee Trees for Free In association with the Woodland Trust, your Church or School could plant trees in celebration of the Jubilee. You can apply for a free pack of trees, plant a tree in a Jubilee wood, or buy oak saplings.
Church of England Supported Housing Scheme At the moment this scheme has no waiting list and is open to retired clergy and anyone who has worked for the Church.
Party conference – an opportunity for the church? As a platform for dialogue, party conferences provide opportunities to speak out about the big issues facing church communities. The Liberal Democrat conference is in Brighton during September. Please let the communications department know if you wish to participate.
Reduced weekend rate at Pilgrim Hall Offer applies to the 27th - 29th of April. The deposit has been paid, and deducted off the cost of the weekend. There are twenty to twenty-five places available. Contact Pilgrim Hall, Uckfield direct on 01825 840295.
Get the Kettle on - and invite the neighbours The 'Traidcraft Big Brew' is a nationwide initiative, during Fairtrade Fortnight - 27th February to the 11th March, to raise awareness of the organisation's work over a welcoming cup of fairly traded tea or coffee.
First Friday Eucharist at Church House Each first Friday of the month a Eucharist is held at Church House at 12.30pm. If you are a priest who could offer to celebrate at the service, please e-mail Sue Atkins.
Win one of six Real Easter eggs Order your 'Real Easter eggs' through Church House and you'll automatically be entered into our draw. Orders of less than six will have to be collected from Church House, one draw entry per order.
We want your photographs If you have any high quality images of your Church in action, please contact the communications department, the best will be considered for publication. Please ensure that you have the permission of your church and any individuals in your pictures.
Reader Ministry Selection 2012 The deadline for applications for Reader selection and training is the 2nd of March. Please download the guide (PDF) or e-mail Ruth Sowerby.
Diocesan Healing Day - Living a Fulfilled Life Victoria Baptist Church, Eastbourne - 3rd March. Further details are available from Barry Ranger on 01323 899300.
Holy Land? Biblical Landscape Study Day Church House. Hove - 17th March. For further information please e-mail Wendy Greenan.
April:
Food Safety In Catering Course - Extra date Church House, Hove - 28th April. This is in addition to the course on the 3rd of March. For further details please e-mail YES.
A digest of other events and activities around the diocese and beyond, can be found on the diocesan website.
This year, as we have done for the last thirteen years, we will be preparing a dramatic piece to be performed by the children and young people on Good Friday at the 10am service in St. Nicholas. Good Friday falls on April 6th and I would need them for three 11/2 hour rehearsals:
Tuesday 3rd 4pm-5.30pm
Wednesday 4th 4pm-5.30pm and
Thursday 5th 4pm-5.30pm
Any child or young person from the age of 7 - 18 who is interested should get in touch with : Rosie Hoare Tel. 01243-781528 richard.hoare@which.net
The re-formed Youth Group will be meeting once a month. The next meeting will be on Sunday 26th February at St Mary’s during the service. Thereafter we are hoping to meet on the 3rd Sunday of the month at Lavant Primary School, during the service at St Nicholas (when the Junior Church are at the School). This will be from the 18th March. If you are interested in joining please call Andrew, Churchwarden on 01243 537864 or come along to one of the meetings. Diane Simpson has agreed to act as leader of the group and we hope that every family in the Youth Group will take a turn at organising an event during the year. We are planning a trip to the May Camp during the May holidays.
If you have something you would like included in a future e-Bulletin please e-mail Tallie Proud. Send in your contributions by the 8th of February for the next e-Bulletin.
January 2012
Welcome to the New Year and a new look e-Bulletin. We hope that you will find it an informative read, please let us know what you think about the new format.
Comment from…
Ali Campbell, Diocesan Advisor for work with children and youth
“I was seriously relieved to find out yesterday that the world is unlikely to end in an apocalyptic nightmare this year, 21st December 2012 to be precise. My thanks to 'Material World' on Radio 4 for putting me straight on the Mayan calendar, Black Holes and colliding planets. I then woke up this morning to the news that, according to new research just published, my brain will start to fail me in 2013 when I hit the age of 45! Whether we think ahead, planning our lives a decade into the future, or struggle to get out of bed and face today - especially if it still looks like the middle of the night when we leave the house - I am encouraged as we start this year, by this brief statement attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson (an American philosopher), “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us”. What ever has been in 2011 and what ever fears we have for the future (well founded or not), let us be assured of the abiding presence of Christ, in and with us, as John says in his letter, “He that is in us is greater than He that is in the World”.
As 2012 unfolds, lets take that assurance, that God goes before us and, by His Spirit lives in us - let us trust Him, delight in Him and seek to know and follow Him together.”
Statistics for Mission - On-line Filing Parishes will shortly be able to submit both their Finance and Membership return on-line. Further information will be sent out on the 19th of January. Please e-mail Sampson Scoble for help and advice.
Money Matters For parishes trying to reduce costs or increase income, please visit the diocesan website for the latest money news. Would you like to help someone less fortunate than you are? Visit the Acts 435 website to donate directly to others in need, or visit the Brighton & Hove churches night shelter website.
Free Church Water Butts Free water butts are available to church and community groups through a programme operated by Eco-Faith. Further information is available at the Your Water Meter website.
Deadline for Churches Liability Information All churches have until 31st March to provide information needed by the new Employers’ Liability Tracing Office (ELTO). Churches can submit details via the Ecclesiastical website, via e-mail, or by leaving a message on an automated system on 0845 601 5671
Are you being called to grow the diocesan magazine? We urgently need mission-minded volunteers to distribute the Chichester Magazine. Get involved with your church community and help to bring more people to the Gospel through a bright, lively, and inspirational read. Call us on 01273 421021 or e-mail for details.
The Magnet, St Leonards The Librarian at The Magnet - Nicole Blakey, is now also the Acting Centre Co-ordinator. The administrator for The Magnet - Wendy Greenan, will deputise for Nicole as needed. Both can also be contacted via the main The Magnet e-mail address.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity The theme is 'We Will All Be Changed', 18th to the 25th of January. Please visit the Churches Together website for more details or ring 01603 785925.
The People's Passion A week long event across BBC Radio 4 and Local Radio culminating in the choirs of Britain and Northern Ireland joining in song to perform 'The People's Passion' over the Easter Weekend. For more information visit the BBC Radio 4 website.
First Friday Eucharist at Church House Each first Friday of the month a Eucharist is held at Church House at 12.30pm. Anyone from churches in the diocese are welcome, let us know as numbers are limited. Bring your lunch for a time of fellowship afterwards. If you are a priest who could offer to celebrate at the service, please e-mail Sue Atkins.
Church Radio Mic Frequencies - Important Information Radio mic frequencies will be affected by the digital switchover. Please see the Stagebeat website for more information. You can also contact James Knight - Church Relations Manager from Hans Kolberg UK, who can tell you for free if your system is able to be used after the switchover.
The Developing Discipleship course ‘Engaging with Mark’s Gospel’ due to start on the 1st of February at St Barnabas, Hove, has been cancelled. It is hoped that this course will be re-scheduled after Easter 2012.
February:
London 2012 Games Further information is available via the diocesan website and by following Gordon Bank's Blog. More than Gold has released the dates and most venues for their upcoming 'Get Set' Tour. To book on 4th February at Crawley Baptist Church go to the 'Get Set' Tour website. The training offered on these days will be invaluable for those interested in becoming engaged with the Games and similar community festivals in the future.
Critical Mass - A creative exploration of the Eucharist Lancing College - 18th February. Further details are available from the YES website.
March:
Reader Ministry Selection 2012 The deadline for applications for Reader selection and training is the 2nd March – so act now. Download the guide (PDF) or e-mail Ruth Sowerby.
Diocesan Healing Day - Living a Fulfilled Life Victoria Baptist Church, Eastbourne - 3rd March. Further details are available from Barry Ranger on 01323 899300.
Food Safety In Catering Course Church House, Hove - 3rd March. For further details and a booking form please e-mail YES.
Children’s Pilgrimage to Walsingham An action-packed weekend for children aged 7 to 11 years old - 9th to 11th March. Tel: 01243 262 049 or e-mail Mary Nagel.
Holy Land? Biblical LandscapeStudy Day Church House. Hove - 17th March. For further information please e-mail Wendy Greenan.
Ongoing Events:
Diocesan Gap Year Scheme The Encounter Gap Year scheme is about 'equipping real people, with a real faith for the real world'. Further details are available on the YES website.
A digest of other events and activities around the diocese and beyond, can be found on the diocesan website.
The Craft Group will start again in March, and will then meet from 2.00 – 4.00 pm on the first Tuesday of each month in the Lavant Room at St Mary’s. It's very much a time for a chat while you do your knitting or sewing etc so we'd love even more to come along. MEN WELCOME
Why not banish the post-Christmas blues and enjoy a night of popular entertainment? Now is the time to book your tickets for the next Lavant Players production. Tickets [£8 each] are on sale for performances of Robin Hood – a Musical Comedy. Call Cynthia Rivett on 01243 527124. If there is no one available to take your call please leave a message stating your name, telephone number, number of tickets required and for which performance.
Performances are on:
Wednesday 25 January 2012 @ 7.30pm - Charity night [50% of ticket sales will be donated to St Wilfrid's Hospice]
Chichester District Council will introduce Sunday car parking charges from April 2012, and the County Council, which controls on-street parking, is expected to follow suit. These charges of up to £11.30 per day will have a significant effect on worshippers at the Cathedral and other City Centre Churches.
The District Council will debate the introduction of these charges again if a Petition is submitted with at least 1,000 signatures. An e-Petition has therefore been set up to campaign against this tax on worship and to keep Chichester Special on Sundays. This can be found on the District Council website, or via a direct link at: www.bit.ly/cdcparking.
Chichester District Council will introduce Sunday car parking charges from April 2012, and the County Council, which controls on-street parking, is expected to follow suit. These charges of up to £11.30 per day will have a significant effect on worshippers at the Cathedral and other City Centre Churches.