.
Dear Parishioners

I am beginning to write this March letter on 14 February a date which, when seen written down, most people would think "Ah, Valentine's Day", it is one of those dates embedded into most people’s psyches. But this year the 14 February is also Ash Wednesday and in addition to this monthly task of writing for the Parish Magazine, I am also burning Palm crosses to make ash to daub on the foreheads of the faithful in the traditional service, which marks (if you pardon the pun) the beginning of Lent. While doing this,I was reminded of a cartoon by theologian Bill Donaghy that gives a light-hearted guide to "the different ash marks one might see out and about on Ash Wednesday, I hope that you may also find it amusing.

As I wrote in my letter this time last year, Lent is a time of transformation; I came across the following poem the other day, which I think echoes that sentiment perfectly.

In the hush of Lent, where shadows quietly unfold,
A sacred journey starts, a story to be told.
The winters grasp is fading, as a thawing spirit sings,
In the intertwining dance of Lent and burgeoning Spring.
In fasting's gentle rhythm and contemplative prayer,
A soul sheds winter's burdens, breathes the vernal air.
The barren trees are witnesses to a solemn, humble grace,
As the heart prepares a garden in this sacred, quiet space.

A penitential canvas painted in hues of purple and ash,
Yet beneath the surface, a burgeoning, quiet clash.
For Lent, a solemn journey, and Spring, a whispered hymn,
Together birth a resurrection, new life to begin.

The buds upon the branches, a promise in the air,
Resurrection whispers, banishing despair.
The earth, once cold and hardened, now softens 'neath the rain,
As Lent and together proclaim, "Behold, all things made new again."

In Lenten contemplation, we till the soil within,
Removing stones of bitterness, cultivating love therein.
As petals unfurl slowly, under the sun's warm gleam,
So do we uncover the me beauty of a soul redeemed.

With each step through the desert, each footprint in the dew,
Lent and Spring converge, revealing life anew.
The forty days of fasting, mirrored in the seed,
A promise of resurrection, where brokenness is freed.

So, let the Lenten desert and the Spring light winds blend,
A symphony of hope, where soul and earth transcend.
For in this sacred season, where shadows gently part,
We find the grace of Easter, a resurrection in the heart.

I wish you all a holy and transformative Lent.

Fr Chris

Dear Parishioners,

As you may be aware, my position as Priest in Charge at St Mary Our Lady is part-time, as indeed has been the case with my immediate predecessors here. The other day someone asked me what I did with the rest of my time, and I explained that I was National Missioner to a group of around 100 Anglo- Catholic parishes across the country. To which they responded, 'and what does that mean?'; I thought this wasa very good question and I thought I would share with you what I do for the rest of myweek, when I am not working in the parish.

The first thing to say is that ‘National Missioner‘ is too grand a title, and actually a bit of a misnomer, my role is probably better described as Mission Enabler or Coordinator, providing resources and support to enable churches to undertake mission and outreach projects in their communities. Practically speaking, my work has involved helping to manage a project aimed at moving a number of parishes ‘from maintenance to mission‘ (an expression used by the Divine Renovation organisation, on whose methodology the project is largely based) coordinating the activities of 10 regional convenors who each work with around 10 parish Priests, I have designed, created and manage an online Mission Resource Hub, which gives access to a range of various diffierent resources for mission, outreach and evangelism. The most. intense part of my role has been the organisation of an annual 3-day conference in November for around 80 priests, bishops and deacons. The work I undertake in the missioner role is directed by Bishop Will (the Bishop of Lewes), which means that I inevitably also get involved with projects within the Chichester Diocese, such as organising the annual Our Lady of Walsingham Festival. I am currently helping to set up the first diocesan Family Camp — a weekend of fun, worship and family time in June this year — taking place in the beautiful South Downs; and the planning of the 2025 year of faith when the diocese will celebrate the 1700 anniversary of the Nicene Creed and the 950th anniversary of Chichester Cathedral.

When I became a priest, I thought I had started an completely new chapter of my life and Christian journey and had loft my previous long career and experience in marketing and connnuriications behind me, but it would appear that God has other ideas. Alongside my priestly ministry, I am now making comprehensive use of the Skills and experience gained in secular employment to serve God's church and further His Kingdom. One thing is for sure, I am never bored or lacking in something to do!

Fr Chris

There is a good chance that as you read this, it will still be Christmas. You may have finished off the leftover turkey and last of the Quality Street (except may be the blue ones — no one likes those!) and the shops will have taken all down all their Christmas displays (which have been up since October) they may even be selling Cadbury’s Creme eggs, but for the church at least, it is still Christmas. And why not? It is such an important feast for Christians, when God chose to come among us as a fragile, helpless baby who would grow into a man, go about teaching in Judea before being crucified and then rising from the dead. But why? Why was it necessary for God to become incarnate, to be born as one of us? When the question was first posed to me, I struggled to answer it convincingly. There are of co1n'se well-honed theological and doctrinal answers to be found in books and in the teaching of the Church, but what helped me was a simple story — a modern day parable — written in 1959 by Louis Cassells, who was the religious editor at United Press International. I shared it at Midnight mass, but I thought it deserved a wider audience, so I am sharing it here.

Cassells’' story is centred on a man, who he describes as ‘not a scrooge’ but a kind, decent, mostly good man, who was generous to his family and upright in his dealings with other men. But the man just didn’t believe all the stuff about God becoming a man — the incarnation. It just didn’t make sense to him, and he was too honest to pretend that he did.

"I am truly sorry to distress you,"he told his wife, who was a faithful churchgoer. "But I simply cannot understand this claim that God becomes man. It doesn’t make any sense to me."On Christmas Eve his wife and children went to church for the midnight service. And once again, he declined to accompany them. "I’d feel like a hypocrite,"he explained. "I’d rather stay at home. But I’ll wait up for you."Shortly afler his family drove away in the car, snow began to fall. He went to the window and watched the flurries getting heavier and heavier. "If we must have Christmas,"he thought, "it’s nice to have a white one."He went back to his chair by the fireside and began to read his newspaper. A few minutes later he was startled by a thudding sound. It was quickly followed by another, then another. He thought that someone must be throwing snowballs at his window. When he went to the front door to investigate, he found a flock of birds huddled miserably in the storm. They had been caught in the storm and in a desperate search for shelter had tried to fly through his window. "I can’t let these poor creatures lie there and freeze,"he thought. "But how can I help them?"Then he remembered the barn, where the children’s pony was stabled. That would provide a warm shelter, if he could direct the birds to it. He put on his coat and Wellies and tramped through the deepening snow to the barn. He opened the door wide and turned on a light. But the birds didn’t come in. "Food will lure them in,"he thought. So, he hurried back to the house for breadcrumbs, which he sprinkled on the snow to make a trail into the bam. To his dismay, the birds ignored the breadcrumbs, and continued to flop around helplessly in the snow. He tried shooing them into the barn by walking around and waving his arms. They scattered in every direction - except into the wann lighted barn. “They fmd me a strange and terrifying creature,"he said to himself, “and I can’t seem to think of any way to let them know they can trust me. If only I could be a bird myself for a few minutes, perhaps I could lead them to safety..."Just at that moment the church bells began to ring. He stood silent for a while, listening to the bells pealing the glad tidings of Christmas. Then he sank to his knees in the snow. “Now I understand,"he whispered. “Now I see why You had to do it.”

I hope you are enjoying a blessed and peaceful Christmas, and I wish you all a joyful and hope-filled New Year.

Fr Chris
Dear Parishioners,

Change-is-one of several paradoxes of the church: we are called to proclaim an unchanging truth in a never-changing world. And yet,as any incumbent of a parish will tell you, one of the most difficult things to do is introduce change. It is a balancing act of protecting valuable tradition whilst keeping it relevant for today’s context. Perhaps one of the best examples of this is Remembrance Sunday; a well-established and essential feature of the country’s.calendar. For many it still brings to mind personal experiences and memories but, for today's youth, 'Remembrance Stmday does not evoke personal memories. To keep the legacy of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country alive, and "give thanks for the fieedom andjustice for which they fought, and for which we enjoy, I think it is necessary involve the emerging generations more fully in the ‘ acts of Remembrance and actively educate them on what it all represents.

It was with some trepidation that I chose to introduce change -to‘ theact of Remembrance at St Mary Our Lady last year, and then this year further subtle change to involve our children more fully. During the 10:00 Eucharist, the sermon took the form of a mini drama depicting the lives of RAF Pilots Basil ‘ and Antony Fisher. Basil was tragically killed in-action on 15 August 1940 over Sidlesham aged just 23 years. The inter-generational cast included brothers Freddie and, Sam Merrett playing the parts of Basil and Antony, Anna Swain narrated the story fiom the pulpit and Mike Allisstone assumed the role of Winston Churchill. The church was full, and the congregation included Basil's great niece, Lucinda Croft and her husband Simon.

The drama was put together by Lesley Bromley who, when she became aware of the tragic story of Basil, contacted Eton College school librarian, Sarah Warren to find out more. Lesley then worked on bringing the story to life for our church community. Sarah explained how Kate Pierce, Head of German at Eton College had seen three war graves fiom her window in 2014 andencouraged her tutor group to help clear them,with no idea that one was the grave of an Old Etonian. Six months later, Sarah during a piece of research found Basil’s grave along with Kate's wreath upon it; and they have looked ater Basil’s grave together since then. The telling of the Fisher brothers’ -story, brought to life one of so many tragic episodes. Hearing al ittle about the young men's lives made it altogether more personal and moving for everyone who heard it. I am pleased (and relieved) to say that this innovation was met with widespread approval and added to the traditional Act. of Remembrance.

With my prayers for a blessed Christmas.

Fr Chrls
Dear Parishioners,

Well, my expectations for our 2023 Harvest thanksgiving were well and truly exceeded. The church looked stunning, and the various celebrations all went without a hitch; I am extremely grateful to all those who helped in various ways over the harvest weekend. We certainly have much to be thankful for in Sidlesham, and it was great to see that reflected in people’s generous gifts of food and toiletries that were brought to church for the less fortunate in our community. All the provisions have now been distributed around the village or taken to either Stone Pillow or the local foodbank, where they will be distributed to those in need. Since harvest a couple of people have mentioned to me how a number of other churches have a designated area where people are able to leave food and toiletries throughout the year, and they asked whether we could have something similar in place at St Mary’s. Actually there has been a basket at the back of church for some time, but clearly it has been too well hidden! From now on the basket will occupy a more prominent position and be more clearly labelled. Also, Val Shrubb has kindly volunteered to regularly take any donations to Stone Pillow and/or the Foodbank. If you would like to donate long-life food items or toiletries, please leave them in the labelled basket in church.

Bats in our belfry? We have just received the results of an audible bat survey undertaken over two nights in the churchyard a couple of weeks ago, courtesy of Linda and Ken Smith from the Chichester Wildlife Group. As expected, the results revealed a considerable amount of bat activity in the vicinity and the data also indicated the continuing presence of the rare Grey long-eared bat. UK bats feed on insects and their presence is one indicator that we are successfully managing the churchyard and its flora and fauna. More details about the survey can be found in the current edition of the Parish Magazine.

I am writing this month’s letter shortly after our first ‘Crafty Communion’ service in the Church Hall on Sunday 15th October. It was lovely to welcome around 20 young people and a similar number of adults who enthusiastically joined in with informal worship, centred around the Eucharist, and the complementary craft activity. One of the aims of ‘Crafty Communion’ is to give me the opportunity to spend time with, and teach the faith to, our young families. So, over the coming months the pattern for the third Sunday of the month will be: a quiet reflective 8:00 Said Eucharist in church, Choral Mattins at 10:00 in church for those who favour a more traditional service, and Crafty Communion at l0:00 in the Church Hall for people (especially families) who prefer a more informal style of worship.

With my continued love and prayers.


Father Chris
Dear Parishioners,

I am writing this as I prepare to take a couple of weeks annual leave, the first long break I have had for a couple of years. When I return to my parochial duties the work to transform our beautiful church into a ‘Harvest wonderland’ will have well and truly begun. I am very much looking forward to seeing what the highly creative team of flower artists (ifI may call them that!) have created this year. And I look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible to the Harvest celebrations, which this year will begin with an informal drinks and canapes evening on Saturday 30"“ September (there is a sign—up sheet in church or you may book a free ticket on ‘Eventbrite’ — Sidlesham Harvest Flowers’). On Sunday 1“ October, in addition to the familiar Harvest Festival Eucharist, there will be a service of Choral Evensong at 3:30pm followed by tea and cake in the parish rooms. I will leave you with a poem to hopefully get you in the mood for harvest!

In golden fields beneath the endless sky,
Where nature's bounty stretches far and wide,
The labour of the year now draws nigh,
As harvest season tums the countryside.

The sun, a mighty golden sphere of light,
Kisses each stalk of wheat and ear of corn,
A symphony of colours gleams so bright,
In this, the season where our hopes are bom.

The farmer's toil, both day and night, is grand,
With calloused hands, he reaps what he has sown,
He tills the earth and tends to every strand,
For from this soil, life's sustenance is known.

The orchards heavy with their fruit so sweet,
Bushes laden with berries so divine,
Each apple, grape, and ear of golden wheat,
A testament to nature's grand design.

The scent of earth and hay fills up the air,
As wagons laden with the harvests store,
Roll through the fields with gratitude and care,
For God’s great gifts, we thank him evermore.

Harvest moon ascends, a silver sphere,
Bathing the land in gentle, silken light,
A season's labour marked by joy and cheer,
As nature shares her blessings, day and night

So let us gather ‘round the table wide,
With hearts aglow and gratitude so vast,
For in the harvest's plenty, we'll abide,
And in this bounty, find our peace at last.
Fr Chris
Dear Parishioners,

Tempus fugit! It is astonishing for me that we have now lived in Sidlesham for over a year. And looking back, it can hardly be classed as an uneventful twelve months, more one might say, it’s been a case of never a dull moment! Here are a few of the highlights of my first year in Sidlesham.

Almost straightaway I had to look into the appropriate protocol to mark the death of a monarch and then eight short months later, we were faced with how to celebrate the coronation of the King. One of the things I was pleased with, across these two very different events, was how we were able to work with the school to get children involved with these important national occasions — it was a particular delight to watch the variously sized young people having a go at ringing the church bells as part of 'Ring for the King'!

The registers tell me that I have presided over 140 Eucharists, conducted twelve ftmerals, eight baptisms, one wedding and, in April, it was a pleasure to welcome Bishop Will to the parish when he came to confirm ten candidates from our worshipping community.

As a priest, I think it is always a great honour to take any funeral service, and since being here, I feel extremely privileged to have conducted the funerals of several highly respected and loved villagers, where the church has been packed, and the sense of community and camaraderie has been palpable. Being responsible for a church yard has been a new experience, and thrown up some unexpected challenges, not least when the hem of my cassock was chewed by a bullock as I made my way across the field to let the gravediggers through to the new section of the church yard.

I have enjoyed discovering the beauty of the Sidlesham countryside and getting to know the wide variety of our ‘animal neighbours’ from bats to buzzards — I don't think I will ever forget the time I was on my way over to church to say my moming office and a buzzard flew out of the yew tree a few feet in front of me — I don’t know who was more scared!

The introduction of the Thursday afternoon ‘tea, cake and chat’ sessions seems to have proved a success. What started out as an initiative to provide a warm space for people to meet in the depth of winter, has become a sort of micro- community where folk come together to enjoy each other’s company. As some of you know, we have been searching for a name for our weekly gatherings, and from now on it will be called: ‘Mary’s Place’; It is simple, easy to remember, and it has a certain intimacy about it.

Of course, my ministry here is only made possible through the hard work of all the different groups of volunteers who contribute to the life of the church; my heart-felt thanks to everyone who does help, especially the churchwardens:

Chris and Janet.

I am looking forward (with a degree of trepidation!) to what the next twelve months has instal for us all in Sidlesham.

Father Chris