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St. Mary Magdalene & St. Denys, Parish Church, Midhurst |
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Latest News |
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Please also see the Weekly Sheet for recent announcements, and details of this week’s services.
News date: 27th January 2008 Lent Courses Fr Marcus will be leading a Lent course, commencing Monday 11th February at 8.00 p.m. The course will be based on the film “Chocolat”. If you would like to take part in this, please sign the list on the Notice Board by the font. Thank you.
This year The Rother Valley Churches Lent Groups will be studying the York Course on the Lords Prayer. Four of our House groups will be doing the course, as will groups in other parishes and the forms for joining the course are at the back of the Church. If you don’t normally go to a house group, why not join one this year for Lent and make this Lent special. Choose an afternoon or evening that suits you. Completed form can go to Jonathan Watson.
Lee Abbey 2nd – 6th June Following last year’s successful parish group visit to Lee Abbey, a Christian Conference Centre on the North Devon Coast where Exmoor joins the sea, we are taking another parish group this year at the beginning of June. The conference has two themes for you to choose from – “Walk and Talk”, which includes walks along the coast, rivers and moors and explores the goodness and beauty of God; and “In Christ”, how understanding what this means can transform our prayer and worship. It will be a great time for those who go – why not join us? Further information from Jonathan Watson.
Caritas 08 – Saturday 21st June 2008 at The Brighton Centre. From10.00 a.m. and finishes at 4.30 p.m. Putting mission on the MAP in the Chichester Diocese. In 2007 the bishops issued a challenge to the assembled clergy and churchwardens to prepare with their people a Mission Action Plan (MAP) and bring it back to Caritas on Sunday 21st June 2008. This day will be a renewal day, affirming what we are as part of God’s church in Sussex, and our missionary calling. Caritas means ‘love’. If you would like to attend, please sign the list on the notice board in church near the font by the end of January.
News date: 29th October 2007 HARVEST APPEAL (Gambia) This now stands at £4241 which includes £1642 in memory of Alec Annand. Payment will be made to them at the end of the month. If you would still like to donate to this appeal, please mark the Gift Aid envelope with “AA” or Gambia and put into the collection as usual. Cheques should be made payable to Midhurst PCC.
CURRY EVENING : 8th November A Curry Evening is being held in Church on Thursday 8th November at 7.30 pm. The evening is hosted by Fr. Marcus, with Guest Speaker Bishop Julius from Sierra Leone. It is a bring-food-to-share evening. Please sign the list on the notice board by the font to indicate the type of dish you will bring to share.
All Saints Day : 1st November A celebration Eucharist will be held at All Hallows, Woolbeding, at 7.30pm. All welcome.
All Souls Service : 2nd November This service will be held here in Church at 7.30pm. At this All Souls service we remember those, by name, who have died during the last year. If anyone would like a name added to the Prayer List could you please pass details onto the Parish Office, if possible by Wednesday 31st October. Office tel no. (01730) 815356.
News date: 29th Sept 2007 Website Domain Change To reduce a problem with spam, and to take advantage of better hosting packages available, the website name will be changing. Instead of www.MidhurstParishChurch.co.uk, we are now using www.MidhurstParishChurch.net. Although the new site is up and running (you have been automatically redirected), you can still access the site by using the old name until the new year. E-mail addresses will also change. The change will be phased in gradually, and people will be re-directed to the new site and e-mail addresses automatically. More information to follow over the coming weeks.
News date: 19th Sept 2007 Fr. Marcus Induction Fr. Marcus will be inducted as our new vicar on Thursday October 4th at 7:30 pm. A large crowd is expected, and all offers of help are gratefully received, especially with the preparation and serving of refreshments after the service. Please contact the churchwardens if you are able to help.
News date: 17th May 2007 Midhurst Deanery Youth Mission Website If you’ve wondered what’s happening with the Midhurst Deanery Youth Mission work, you can get all the updates at Jonathan’s dedicated website .. HERE
News date: 15th May 2007 Youth Group Jonathan Moores (Youth Missioner) is setting up a Youth Group in Midhurst. Find out more, and see how you can help HERE
Holiday Club : 23rd - 27th July The DATE for HOLIDAY CLUB is Monday through Friday mornings, 23 to 27 July; plus we are having our Celebration Wrap-up early on Friday evening at 6.30pm so all interested parents, siblings and grandparents, etc. can attend the final session, which we have usually done at the end of the last session on Friday morning. As always Holiday Club will be at the Methodist Church.
Summer Festival - 21st July The next event is the weekend of the 21st July. We intend this year to have a small number of stalls in the afternoon selling crafty gifts and the like, with teas cakes being available, also we will have the Midhurst Shuttlers performing and so folk music through the afternoon leading into the Jazz evening. We have Chirs Walter group again and they will play from about 6.30ish to 10.30pm ish. Again we will have a B-B-Q run by Jeffersons the butchers and the same format bring our own picnic and drink. If both Jonathon and John agree ( I have to ask them yet) we might have an outdoor service on the Sunday. There will be NO afternoon event on the Sunday. More details nearer the time.
News date: 6th May 2007 New Priest annouced Fr Marcus Ronchetti was today announced as the future new Priest for the parishes of Midhurst & Woolbeding. More details on “Our Vicar” page .
News date: 3rd May 2007 Lee Abbey We are exploring the possibility of a group from the Parish going to Lee Abbey from 9th – 13th July. Lee Abbey is situated on the beautiful North Devon Coast near Exmoor. The twin themes for these days are:- Adventures in Prayer - deepen your relationship with God and uncover new ways of praying through creative use of music, movement and meditation, and Dream On! Looking at the life of Joseph. Cost for the 4 night + full board is £204. We need to book quickly to get places. Please contact Jonathan on 816145.
News date: 27th April 2007 Confirmation Service There will be a special Confirmation Service in Midhurst Parish Church on Saturday 23rd June at 6.00 p.m. This will be part of the Bishop of Horsham’s “Walking the Way” from 21st until 24th June. If you would like further information, please contact Rev’d Jonathan Watson on (01730) 816145 or Rev’d John Hickman on (01730) 810821 to discuss details.
Open House Group A short course for beginners, the confused, the uncertain, Informal discussion in The Parish Room led by Mike Abbott. 7.30p.m. (Tea/coffee/biscuits) start at 7.45pm, Thursday 3rd May - “How does the Holy Spirit work?”, Thursday 10th May - “What does it mean to be a Christian?”
24-7 Week of Prayer - St Anne's Hall, Midhurst The Week of Prayer for our Community will be taking place in St Anne's Hall, Midhurst (just off the Market Square) from Sunday May 6th until Sunday May 13th. The theme will be based around the I AM sayings of Jesus - I am the Light of the World, I am the Vine, I am the Good Shepherd and so on. There will be lots of aids to prayer in the room and those who have been in previous years have found it a great blessing. The list showing which hours Midhurst Parish Church is covering is in the Narthex (entrance lobby) at the back of Church. Do please have a look at the list and sign up for those hours you can help with.
News date: 29th March, 2007 Quiz Night – Saturday 28th April To be held in the Methodist Hall - 7.00 p.m. to make prompt start at 7.30 p.m. Teams to comprise of between 4 and 8 people, cost £5 per team to enter. Bring friends and family along for a very enjoyable and fun evening. For further information or to register your team, please contact Mike on 812775. If you are not in a team, please come along anyway as teams will also be made up on the night
“The Life of Christ” performed at Wintershall, June 26th – July 1st. This inspirational, open air production is being presented from Tuesday 26th June through to Sunday 1st July. If there is sufficient interest we could hire a coach (or a mini-coach) to take us. Please sign the form on the notice board in church either today, or next week. It really is a superb event – highly recommended.
Maundy Thursday Service and Suppers We are continuing the practice of having the first part of the service in houses in groups over a simple meal (such as soup and rolls and fruit) and then going to church for the rest of the service. Hopefully house groups will meet to do this. If anyone else would like to host or join a group for the meal, please sign up on the list on the church notice board.
Unlock London Walk – Saturday 21st April Bermondsey and the Isle of Dogs. Last year’s walk was very successful and well supported. We look forward to plenty of enthusiastic support again this year. If you would like to join us, please put your name and phone number on the list on the “Long Term” Notice Board at the side of the church, where you will also find further information
News date: 27th February, 2007 Confirmation The Deanery Confirmation service this year will take place on Sunday 24th June, when the Bishop of Horsham will be visiting the Deanery for a few days “Walking the Way”. If anyone would like to be prepared for confirmation, please see Jonathan Watson (Tel: 816145).
Women’s World Day of Prayer – 2nd March Taking place at St Mary’s Church, Easebourne commencing 2.00 p.m. All women are welcome
Sunday Morning Live! 4th March at 9.30a.m. To be held at Midhurst Primary School, Ashfield Road. Just 40 minutes, with a Live Band. Coffee & biscuits afterwards
Mothering Sunday Posies This year the posies will be made by the men in the church family on Saturday 17th March in the Parish Room at 9.00 a.m. Volunteers wanted please, to make the posies – the more the merrier. Also please a good supply of daffodils/appropriate spring flowers and greenery are needed.
RVCT Lent Lectures : Theme - Reconciliation and Faith Entry to each lecture £1.00 Wednesdays at 7.30pm Midhurst Methodist Church 28 February Canon Bernard Thom, - Provost of Arundel Cathedral 7 March Lord (Leslie)Griffiths, - Leading Methodist preacher and broadcaster 14 March Reverend Simon Keyes - St Ethelburga's Centre for Interfaith Reconciliation 21 March Paula Harvey - Psychotherapist & member of Society of Friends
Thursday 29 March in Midhurst Parish Church The Very Reverend Nicholas Frayling, Dean of Chichester Cathedral, formerly Vicar of Liverpool and an active participant in the Peace Process In Northern Ireland
News date: 25th January, 2007 Parish Office hours. Please note that the Parish Office will be closed on Monday afternoons (1pm – 4pm) for the month of February, whilst Lorraine is on holiday. The office will be open again on Monday afternoon, 5th March.
The New Electoral Roll Every few years the Church Electoral Roll has to be completely renewed. Therefore if you wish your name to be on the Roll, you must complete a new form. A supply of forms will be available at Church over the next few weeks. I would be most grateful if you could complete and return them to me or one of the church wardens as soon as possible. Thank you.. Linda Chappell. Electoral Roll Officer.
News date: 16th January, 2007 A.P.C.M. Date announced The Annual Church Parochial Meeting will be held on Monday 23rd April, at 7:30pm in the church. At this meeting we elect the PCC members. The size of the PCC is determined by the size of the Church’s electoral roll, which is being revised this year, so until we know the size of the electoral roll, we won’t know how many vacancies might be available on the PCC.
Summer Dance Following the success of the previous couple of years, the will be a day of music and festivities in the Market Square on Saturday 21st July. The day is still in the planning stage, but it is hope to have craft stalls and folk music during the afternoon, with an evening of jazz and a barbeque in the evening. Further details from the Social Committee nearer the time.
Youth Pilgrimage Also still in the planning stage is this year’s Youth Pilgrimage, which will start in Midhurst on Monday April 9th, and finish with a barbeque at West Witterings 3 days later, whilst taking in S.Harting, Compton and Chichester en route. Kevin Ford is this year’s Pilgrimage leader if you need more details.
24/7 Prayer Week The Rother Valley Churches Together have agreed a date of 6th - 13th May for this year’s 24 x 7 week of prayer.
Christian Aid Week. This will being with a service at Midhurst Methodist Church on Sunday 13th May at 6:00pm.
Lent Lectures A series of excellent speakers, including Lord Leslie Griffiths, have been programmed to speak on Wednesdays 28th Feb to 21st March inclusive, all at 7:30 pm. In Midhurst Methodist Church.
On 14th March, the Rvd. Simon Keyes will speak on inter-faith dialogue and reconciliation in the UK.
On Thursday 29th March, the Very Rvd. Nicholas Frayling, Dean of Chichester Cathedral, will speak at Midhurst Parish Church at 7:30pm.
News date: 11th January, 2007 Visit by the Bishop of Horsham Bishop Lindsay will be visiting Midhurst and Woolbeding churches on Sunday 21st January. He will lead the services and preach at Woolbeding Holy Communion at 8.00 a.m. and at Midhurst Parish Communion at 10.00 a.m.
Wedding Photgraphs Wanted The Mothers' Union are celebrating National Marriage week from February 7th -14th. Midhurst MU have decided to have a display of wedding photographs in the church over that weekend. We would like members of the congregation to loan us a photograph of their wedding for the display (name and date of wedding on the back). Please give or send photographs to Jane Simpson, 1, Poplar Way, GU29 9JQ (813384) by February 1st, 2007.
News date: 5th January, 2007 Parish Profile Agreed Last night (4th January), a joint PCC meeting of Midhurst & Woolbeeding formally approved the Parish Profile document. This document has now been forwarded to Bishop Lindsay, and is effectively our “job specification” for a new priest.
The completion of the document follows months of hard work, starting with the consultation sessions held with the congregations of both Churches last year. The views expressed at those meetings form the basis of the document, which also contains factual material about the parish and local community. The full document will be sent to any prospective candidate, and so is an important window to our two parishes during this period of interregnum.
The PCCs of both Churches wish to thanks the editorial team - Lorraine, Richenda, Paul and Noel - for their hard work and commitment to completing the booklet, copies of which will be made available from the Parish office.
News date: 8th December, 2006 Bishop John Visit The Right Reverend John Hind Bishop of Chichester will be Preacher and Celebrant at our Parish Communion service on Sunday 17th December at 10.00 a.m.
Developing Discipleship Christian Courses, being organised by the Diocese Adult Education Team, which commence from January 2007. If you are interested in taking part in these courses, please find an information booklet and enrolment forms on the church notice board. To attend the courses, please contact The Diocese Adult Education team direct.
News date: 13th November, 2006 Parish Assistant The Parish office is proving to be a great help in the administration of our Church, but with an increased workload, it has been necessary to recruit more help. We’re delighted to announce that Del Ruinet will be taking on the role to assist with various administration tasks in the office.
News date: 18th September, 2006 New PCC Members The PCC last night co-opted two new members to fulfil vacancies on the council. Sue Haines and Lorraine Graham join the council at an important time, as we look towards our interregnum and the challenges it will bring.
Choir Pews The Archdeacon has approved the temporary removal and storage of the choir pews, for a period of 15 months. This gives us an exciting opportunity to explore options with music, drama and worship in the space freed up.
Please note that this is only a temporary measure. If permanent removal is required at the end of the trial period, a faculty will need to be raised.
News date: 17th July, 2006 PCC Vice-Chairman In preparation for our interregnum, Mike Abbot has been appointed Vice-Chairman of the PCC, and will chair the meetings after Fr. Andrew’s departure.
News date: 18th June, 2006 A Letter from Andrew In case you were unable to get along to church this morning, today I announced to our two congregations that I have accepted the appointment to become the next Vicar of St Matthew's Church, Redhill, in the Diocese of Southwark.
Leaving you all after twelve happy years will be an enormous wrench - and I would be grateful if you could hold our family in your prayers at this time.
I feel the time has come for me to embrace a new challenge and I also believe the time is right for you all to have a fresh injection of leadership. I am excited by the challenges ahead in what will be a substantial Town Centre Ministry.
I have no firm date for leaving yet - but anticipate it will be Sept/Oct time. Until then, I pledge my continued support and full involvement in our life together
With much love, Andrew
Fr. Andrew to leave Midhurst & Woolbeding After 12 wonderful years of service, Fr. Andrew this morning announced to the congregation in both Parishes, that he is soon to take up a fresh challenge as Vicar of St. Matthew’s Church, Redhill, in the Diocese of Southwark.
His leaving will, of course, be a sad day for all of us, but we are delighted that he is able to find new challenges that will fully utilise his renowned energy and enthusiasm. We pray that as he takes God’s work into new areas, that he is able to touch the lives of the people of Redhill as warmly as he has ours.
Andrew is expected to take up is new appointment sometime in the Autumn.
Please surround Andrew and his family with your love and prayers as they enter this period of great change in their lives.
News date: 4th June, 2006 Local Covenant Planning Andrew, Derek and Marie are planning quarterly Sunday evening services between our churches as the first steps of getting the local covenant back on track. We are also planning more of a united approach to our schools ministry here. The dates of the services are: 2006 17th September–6.00 p.m. at Easebourne 19th November– 6.00 p.m. at Midhurst Methodist Church 2007 18th February–6.00 p.m. at Midhurst Parish Church 13th May- 6.00 p.m. at Easebourne.
News date: 27th May, 2006 Parish Office Planning permission has been granted to section off a corner of the Parish Room to create a new office space, thus relieving some of the pressure on Andrew’s study at the Vicarage. Work will begin in late July, and take two weeks, so we are looking forward to having our own dedicated church office sometime early in August.
News date: 26th May, 2006 Help with practical tasks in the Church Pat Neal would be pleased to hear from anyone who could offer any time during weekdays to assist with one-off jobs in the Church.
Website Update We have just renewed our Website registration and upgraded to gain some extra space. The extra capacity means we can start hosting photos, music and, more importantly, have pages dedicated to different activities within the church, including event adverts and post-event write-ups. All we need is people to supply the content. So if you have anything you think may be useful or interesting, please let me have details (preferably by e-mail so I can copy and paste). I am also pleased to host any links to other (relevant) external sites which you may be aware of (see our Links page). Just mail me the details. Many thanks, Adrian Mail: Webmaster
Sponsor Steven Grinstead A former pupil of Midhurst Grammar School, Emmaus Companion Steve Grinstead, has started a 500 mile walk to raise fund for the Emmaus homeless charity. The planned route from John O'Groats to Bolton will take around 35 days and will pass through Wick, Inverness, Pitlochry, Edinburgh, Selkirk, Carlisle, Kendal and Preston, not to mention many other places! Further details and sponsor form on the notice-board, or by following the link -> Read Steve's walking diary
St. Joseph’s Night Shelter Midhurst M.U is taking over responsibility for collecting for the St. Joseph’s Refuge (Christian Care Association). We would be grateful if members of the church could contribute appropriate items (a list of goods needed will be attached to the container). A marked box for your gifts will be in church, under the tower. Thank you.
News date: 20th May, 2006 United Service with Easebourne On June 25th there will be no Parish Communion at Midhurst as we link together with our friends and neighbours at Easebourne and join them for the service at the Priory at 10am. I do hope everyone will make the short journey across the river to join Derek and I as we lead the service.
Confirmation Candidates Please pray for our four young candidates as they prepare for their confirmation on June 11th at St James’ Stedham. The service will be held at 6pm and all are welcome. This is a very special little group from my point of view because I was privileged to baptise two of the members when they were just small babies and here they are ready to make those same promises from their own hearts. Please pray for: Jessica, Rhodri, Ffion and Eleanor.
Thanksgiving for the Vine Fellowship We are all invited to join our friends of the former Vine Fellowship for a service of thanksgiving to mark the official closure of their church life. This will be a time of some sadness and yet thankfulness for all that The Vine has contributed to the ecumenical life of our town. The service will be in the Grange Centre at 6pm on Sunday June 4th. Please note there will be no Evensong at the parish church on that date.
News date: 2nd May, 2006 Advance Notices for June Sunday 4th June at 3pm – a thanksgiving service for the Vine Fellowship Sunday 11th June at 6pm – Deanery Confirmation service to be held at Stedham. Sunday 18th June at 5pm – Summer Ecumenical Service in the beautiful setting of Milland Church. Sunday 25th June at 10am – United Service at Easebourne .. so please note there will be no 10am service at Midhurst on that day.
24/7 WEEK OF PRAYER I would commend to you the week of prayer beginning on Sunday 7th May and continuing through to the 14th. Held in St Ann’s Hall this continual chain of prayer feels like a vital under-girding to all we try to do in the name of our Lord. Please look out for lists in church – where you can sign up and join in.
Christian Aid Week The united service in support of Christian Aid will be held at Midhurst Parish Church on Sunday 14th May at 6pm. Please do come and also support this week in any way you can.
Youth Pilgrimage—10 Year Booklet The youth pilgrimage was again a most enjoyable experience with fine weather (and high winds!) throughout our four day walk. I never cease to be amazed by the way in which a group of 35 people (comprising plenty of strong characters!) seem to bond together so effectively. Now we have completed ten pilgrimages, I would like to put together a booklet with everyone’s memories and special moments. I’ll try to contact everyone who has been involved over the years (80 young people) – but if you read this and respond – you’ll save me a letter.
Local Covenant I was so sad to hear of the closure of the Vine Fellowship. They had provided a special opportunity for distinctive, charismatic worship in the town, and played a vital part in the establishment of the local covenant. It is inevitable that our local covenant between the churches here in Midhurst now needs some rethinking and I am meeting with Marie Attwood and Derek Wellsman later this month in the hope that our churches can take things forward in a positive way.
News date: 16th March, 2006 Pilgrimage to Lindisfarne Following our successful pilgrimage to Iona last year, we are hoping to arrange a similar event in May 2007 with Lindisfarne as our destination. Later in the year we shall officially launch the adventure.
Lent into the Wind (Youth Pilgrimage 2006) We have a full complement of young people and leaders for the 10th tenth annual youth pilgrimage. Please remember the 35 of us as we stride along the South Downs Way during this first week in April. Anyone is welcome to join us on the walk itself (but unless you are registered as a pilgrim we cannot take personal responsibility for you). Experience shows that we can never guarantee to be in a set place at a set time! The outline programme is as follows: Mon 3rd April: 11am Gathering Service at St Peter’s Church, West Firle – then walk to Lewes. Tues 4th April: Walk from Lewes to the village of Clayton (just below the Jack and Jill windmills) – with a session for the young people led by Capt Gordon Banks our new Diocesan Evangelist. Weds 5th April: Walk from Clayton to the village of Wiston (just below Chanctonbury Ring) Thurs 6th April: Walk from Wiston to Amberley – we hope to arrive at the café by the river in Amberley at about 3pm and then walk up to the church in the village for our concluding worship at about 4pm.
Lent Lunches Lent lunches (homemade soup with bread and cheese) are to be held in the R.C. Parish Room on Friday 24th March and 7th April from 12 noon to 2.00 p.m. All donations in aid of the work of “Medecin sans Frontiers”. All are Welcome.
Confirmation Groups These will shortly be starting for both adults and juniors – with the service of Confirmation taking place at Stedham on Sunday 11th June. Do have a word with Andrew if interested.
News date: 9th March, 2006 Church Re-decoration Good news. Interior re-decoration of the church is due to start on Monday March 27th, with work continuing through until the second week of May. There will inevitably be some disruption within the building during the time, but we hope to be able to continue to use the church on Sundays, especially during this Holy season. Midweek services will be held in St. Ann’s Hall. Further details will be provided after the service on March 12th.
News date: 1st March, 2006 Annual Parish Church Meeting This years APCM will be held on Sunday April 23rd at 10am! The report given by the Churchwardens and my own address will take place within the context of our Parish Communion Service and then we will carry out the elections of officers and open the floor to discussion, over coffee, when the service has finished. In this way, my hope is that more people will share in this important occasion and we will also make a vital link between the business side of our church life and its worship.
Unlock London 2006 Takes place on Sunday 29th April. It’s a 10 mile sponsored walk in the city of London to raise money for the work of the church in the inner city. We visit a number of churches on the way and learn about their life and faith practice. Hundreds of people come from all over the country to take part. We shall leave from Haslemere at around 9.00am and return home during the early evening (following a meal together in London). Please sign the list on the notice-board if you would like to be a part of our group, or e-mail Fr. Andrew.
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