At the beginning of May we held the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM), which was a little later this year due to the timing of Easter. A number of long- serving members of the PCC retired, and I echo the thanks I expressed at the meeting for their work and help over the years. I was delighted that a number of new people have stepped forward and filled the vacant spaces on the Parochial Church Council, who are effectively the serving trustees of the church and help to direct the life and witness of St Mary Our Lady Church. Immediately before the APCM, the Annual Meeting of Parishioners (AMP) was held to elect the churchwardens for the coming year. Chris Blanshard has agreed to serve a second year as churchwarden, but Chris Field has decided not to seek re-election.

Last year Janet Harland retired, and now Chris. At this point I am minded to paraphrase Lady Bracknell in Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest: “To lose one churchwarden, Fr Brading, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.” Well quite; they have both assured me that it is nothing personal, although I can’t help but to feel sad at this obvious passing of an era. There can be no doubt however that Chris deserves a rest!

Chris and Colin moved to the village in 1976 and immediately became actively involved in the life of the church. She quickly joined the Parochial Church Council and, over the years, has taken on a remarkable number of roles in service to the parish. In addition to being churchwarden, she has served as a Sunday School leader, Electoral Roll Officer, PCC Secretary, and has been the driving force behind many of our Summer and Christmas Fetes. Alongside her church commitments, Chris taught at the Manhood College (now the Selsey Academy) for 20 years, served as Chair of Governors at Sidlesham School and was leader of 1st Sidlesham Guides. Her dedication to education, youth and the church community has been truly inspiring.

Chris has now completed 17 years as churchwarden—most of that time working closely and effectively alongside Janet. Together, they provided steady, faithful leadership, and guided the church through some significant seasons, including a period of interregnum. Chris was a great support to Fr Stephen throughout his ministry at St Mary’s, and has been equally generous and encouraging to me since I arrived in September 2023.

It’s often said, and with good reason: "If you want to know something at St Mary's, ask Chris Field!" Her knowledge of the church, its history, and its people is vast. Thankfully, like Janet before her, Chris is not leaving the church—only stepping down from the role of churchwarden. She will continue to support parish life however she can, including editing The Parishioner, and will no doubt go on sharing her experience and wisdom with us all.

At the time of writing this, we are yet to have enjoyed the 'Bring and Share' lunch at which we will celebrate Chris’ time as churchwarden, so we will report on that next month. In the meantime, on behalf of everyone at St Mary‘s, my heartfelt thanks to Chris (and to Colin!) for all the dedication, hard work and pastoral care she has given over the years.

With my continued prayers for all the people of Sidlesham.

Last Saturday, I spent much of the day, elbow-deep in dust and cobwebs, in church with a small band of volunteers giving our wonderful building a good spring clean. And what a transformation! The difference is truly amazing, and I'm so grateful to those who gave up their time to help. It reminded me once again just how much our church ~ and indeed our wider community — relies on the dedication and generosity of volunteers. Without volunteers, the church wouldn't just feel different — it simply wouldn't function.

Over the past 20 years, family life in the UK has shifted dramatically. Many households now have both parents working, children are busier than ever with after-school activities and sports in evenings and at weekend. With the general pressures of modern life, it's little wonder that many of us find it harder to commit to the kind of volunteering that was once commonplace, even second nature.

At the same time, there is no escaping the fact that members of our congregation are aging. We're blessed with many people who have faithfully served the church for decades, and some now find themselves unable to do as much as they used to. And their contributions are missed, probably more than they may realise! You may have heard me say before that we need to move towards "more people doing fewer things", and I believe this is both a practical and timely strategy.

There's a wide variety of jobs that need to be done, some small and simple, others more challenging — but all of them vital. From cleaning the church or tending the churchyard, to arranging flowers, baking cakes, or distributing this magazine. There are various maintenance jobs that need to be completed, cakes to be baked for ‘Mary's Place', which every Thursday afternoon offers the opportunity for a friendly chat over a cup of tea. On Sundays we rely on welcomers, readers, choir members, Children's leaders, people to count the collection. There's the annual Sidlesham Fete — a showcase of community volunteering in action! And new initiatives such as the recently launched youth hub also need support. I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all of you who already give your time and energy, often behind the scenes. What you do matters deeply, and please know that it is noticed and appreciated.

To anyone reading this who is perhaps wondering how they might be able to help, do please have a word with me or one of the churchwardens. Whether you have five minutes a week or five hours a month, there's a place for you, and something you can do to help. Every small act of service builds up the bigger picture of love and care — not just within the church, but across our whole community. And the true richness of a community lies in the wealth of skills, stories, and kindness it holds.

With my continued prayers and blessings.

The days are getting longer, the nights are getting shorter, and the temperature is getting warmer - I definitely think this is my favourite time of year. I am also pleased to be able to share, what I think is, some exciting news with you!

Depending when you are reading this, we are either about to launch, or have just launched (on 28th March,) a new Youth Hub—a space where young people in school year 6 and above can gather for fun, friendship, and fellowship. The Youth Hub will initially take place every fourth Friday of the month, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, in the church hall. There will be games, food, and plenty of space for conversation and laughter. lt's a place to relax, unwind, and enjoy time with friends in a welcoming and safe environment.

Some of you may remember the youth club that was a vibrant part of our church community a number of years ago. lt was a fantastic space where young people met for games and fun, and as a result formed lasting friendships. Now, after considerable thought and prayer, we feel it is time to revitalise that spirit and offer a new generation the same opportunity.

We are fortunate to still have some of the games and equipment—table tennis, table football, and air hockey—which it will be great to see being used again. It’s also good to see the church hall, which has served the community in many ways, continuing to being used to support and nurture young people.

As a church, we are blessed with a growing Junior Church that provides a nurturing and faith-filled space for children under 11. It has been a joy to see so many young families engaging with church life and to witness the enthusiasm of our youngest members. However, we recognise that as children grow older, their needs change, and there is currently little provision for older children and teenagers within our church community.

We hope that the Youth Hub will help bridge this gap and offer something meaningful for this age group. We want to create an environment where young people can be themselves, feel valued, and enjoy activities that bring them together in a spirit of friendship and belonging. Whether it’s through a game of table tennis, a chat over a slice of pizza, or simply having a place to relax at the end of the week. we want to ensure that our young people know they have a place within the life and witness of St Mary Our Lady.

I believe this initiative will be a blessing to our young people, providing them with a place where they feel valued and supported. Please do spread the word to any young people who might enjoy being part of it—we would love to welcome them!

With every blessing, for a joyous Easter.

I can’t say that it has been a great start to 2025. We have lost a number of well- loved and familiar figures in our community: Richard Parker, Diana Ward, Alma Platts, Albert Jays and Dr Peter Pratt and, on a personal level, Carolyn, Sam and I had a family bereavement.

It has been perhaps a salutary reminder that death is never far away from any of us, or in the words of Benjamin Franklin, ‘in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes’. It has also been the cause of me being asked on several occasions the perennial question ‘which undertaker should I use? ’ It is a good and fair question, but one that it would be improper for me to answer directly by giving the name of a particular funeral director. I do however think it reasonable for me to comment at a general level about my own experiences, both in my capacity as a minister and as a customer. Quite often by the time I am approached to take a funeral, the undertaker has already been decided upon, so I thought it might be useful for me to answer the question here.

Planning a funeral is a deeply personal and emotional task and choosing the right funeral director can make a significant difference to how smoothly and sensitively the whole process is handled. In my experience independent funeral directors offer a high degree of personalised and compassionate service. They are often well- established family businesses with long-standing commitments to their local community. Unlike large funeral chains, that very often have quite rigid procedures, independent funeral directors tend to be more flexible and attentive to individual needs. Families will typically deal with the same person throughout the entire process, from initial arrangements to the funeral itself. This continuity of care can foster trust and reassurance and ensure that every detail is handled sensitively.

A final comment to make is that if you have a particular wish for your own funeral, write it down and, if you can, discuss it with your family. This will make it so much easier for your loved ones, when they are faced with organising the funeral. I am also available should anyone wish to discuss any aspect of dying, death and funerals.

But enough talk of death for now, Spring is on the way; I am buoyed by the sight of snowdrops, and the emergence of early daffodils are a reminder that it won’t be long before we will be celebrating Easter, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and his eternal victory over death.

With my continued prayers for all.

Firstly, a big thank you to everyone who contributed towards the 2024 Christmas Appeal, raising funds to buy new resources for children with special educational needs at Sidlesham Primary School. The appeal was very well supported, and I am delighted that we will be giving the school little over £450 (including GiftAid), and I am confident that the new resources will help enormously. 

If you visited St Mary Our Lady Church over the Christmas period, you may have noticed two new ‘objects’ in church; a contactless payment terminal and a pricket or votive candle stand.

The contactless payment terminal, situated just inside the main entrance door, is on all the time the church is open. People are increasingly carrying less cash with them and relying more and more on contactless payments via cards or their SMART phones. The terminal enables visitors, both those passing exploring the building and those attending services to easily donate to the work and mission of the church. I am hoping that the terminal will be well used, especially during the summer months when the church welcomes many tourists.

One of the questions I have been asked several times since I became parish priest here is ‘Is there anywhere I can light a candle in the church?’ Up until recently I have had to reply, ‘sadly no’, but now I can answer in the affirmative! The stand has been purchased using part of a legacy donated to the church in his will by the late John Graves, who died in November 2023. John was for several years a churchwarden at St Mary Our Lady and the candle stand is dedicated to his memory.

Lighting a candle is a long-standing tradition in both western and eastern churches. You may have attended a funeral at St Mary’s during the past two years in which the people present have been invited to light a candle during the service as a living symbol of their presence and prayers. Lighting a candle can be a way of expressing our thoughts and intentions before God. The act of lighting a candle can serve as a small but profound gesture, reminding us of the light of Christ in our lives, even in times of darkness.

The pricket stand, so named after the historic name of a spike which held a candle, is situated to the left of the Chancel as one looks at the altar, it is constructed in black painted iron work which complements the two-freestanding candelabra. On the stand is kept a supply of votive tea lights available for anyone who wishes to light a candle.

With my continued prayers for all in the village.

If you are reading this in 2024, Happy Christmas! (we are either about to enter, or are still within the Christmas Octave), if it is 2025, then Happy New Year! In any either case my warmest wishes and blessings to you and your families and friends. And, if you have contributed to our 2024 Christmas appeal, thank you! It is a long- standing tradition for St Mary Our Lady to have a Christmas Appeal to primarily benefit children in our community so, for example last year we collected presents for the refugees staying in a Chichester hotel, the year before that, gifts of toys were presented to a regional charity who work to support families in need. This year’s appeal is slightly different, but will I believe greatly benefit disadvantaged children in our community.

The appeal is raising money to purchase specialist equipment and learning materials for the newly established nurture class at Sidlesham Primary School, the aim of which is to provide a safe and supportive environment for children facing emotional or behavioural challenges that require special educational support. The demand for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) support is growing across the country and it will come as no surprise that this is a greatly underfunded area of education, but there can be little doubt that this type of provision is needed. The national statistics make sobering reading, for example according to a 2021 NHS survey, l in 6 children aged 5~l6 now experience a mental health condition, and the charity Young Minds reported in 2022 that 94% of teachers recognise that mental health issues among pupils impact their ability to learn in the classroom. Evidence strongly suggests that early intervention through programmes such as nurture provision can lead to significant improvements in 80% of cases, reducing the long-term effects of mental health challenges.

This growing need for SEND support in UK schools reflects a combination of greater awareness, rising prevalence of conditions, societal changes, and systemic pressures. Addressing this demand requires investment in resources, teacher training, and collaboration between education, health, and social care systems to ensure that all children receive the support they need to thrive, but across the educational system resource cannot keep up with demand. The support starts at ‘the coal face’ so to speak, in schools such as Sidlesham, where pupils from different family backgrounds and abilities come together to be taught by hardworking and dedicated teachers, consequently these additional resources are needed now. So the monies raised from this year’s Christmas appeal will be used to purchase specialist items such as sensory tools, therapeutic toys and leaming materials including books, puzzles, and creative art supplies which are designed to build selfconfidence and emotional regulation.

If you have not yet contributed to the appeal, but would like to, it is not too late! Please place your donation in an envelope and mark it ‘Christmas Appeal’ (or use one of the printed envelopes that can be found in church) and return to one of the Churchwardens or me, or place in the Vicarage letterbox. With thanks and prayers for a joyful new year.

Almost everyone I have met during this past week has asked me: “What do you think about the Archbishop of Canterbury's resignation?". I was not surprised when the announcement came; there had been mounting calls, fiom different groups, for his resignation since the publication of the Makin report. But my overwhelming reaction, like so many other people, was how John Smyth, who claimed to be a Christian, could carry out such abhorrent attacks on young people and get away with it. It is beyond me how senior people in the church’s hierarchy have allowed these heinous crimes to be covered up. I cannot begin to imagine how the victims of Smyth must feel, not only did they experience brutality at his hands, but they have had to relive those horrific memories over and over again, while his crimes have gone unpunished and been covered up by an institution which claims to be Christ's church. I think Justin Welby has done the right thing in resigning, but this cannot be the end of it. There are still unanswered questions and other people who need to be held accountable for their actions (or inaction) and their part in this seismic failure of care for the vulnerable.

It is with some sense of irony that I am writing this on "Safeguarding Sunday" multi-denominational initiative for “communities to come together to reflect on their own safeguarding journey, and to highlight and celebrate all the good work that is being done by so many behind the scenes ”to quote the ‘Safeguarding Sunday’ website. But actually, this does highlight the importance of Safeguarding at every level of the church, because Safeguarding is every0ne’s responsibility. I am very grateful to Vanessa Foden who is our volunteer Parish Safeguarding Officer; she maintains a link with the diocesan Safeguarding team and ensures that Safeguarding is considered in all our activities.

In his ministry, Jesus consistently prioritised the vulnerable, the marginalised, and the oppressed. And it is therefore incumbent upon us to ensure that our church is, and feels, a safe place for all. If you have any concems on any aspect of Safeguarding, please do not hesitate to contact either Vanessa or myself.

I look forward to seeing many of you in the coming weeks in the lead up to our Christmas celebrations.