In the weeks leading up to Christmas and Easter, people will often say to me with a knowing smile, “It must be your busy time.” Occasionally that is followed by the question, “So, which is busier, Christmas or Easter?” It’s a fair question,“ both seasons are full in their own way. But, if I’m honest, Easter just edges it, and not simply because there is more to do, but because there is so much more to experience. For me, it is the most moving, most profound, and ultimately the most joyful journey of the Church’s year, especially when we reach Holy Week.
It all begins on Palm Sunday, as we remember Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, greeted by crowds crying “Hosanna!” At St Mary’s, we gather at 10:00am in the Church Hall for a short reading, before processing into church singing All glory, laud and honour, joining the rest of the congregation for the Eucharist. It is a moment of real energy and anticipation — the beginning of something special.
As the week unfolds, the tone deepens. On Wednesday, we walk the Stations of the Cross together, an ancient, prayerful journey that invites us to follow Christ step by step on the road to the cross.
Then comes the Triduum, the great three days that form a single, unfolding act of worship, drawing us into the heart of the Christian story.
On Maundy Thursday, we gather in the evening for the Eucharist of the Last Supper, remembering how Jesus gave us the gift of the Eucharist as he shared that final meal with his disciples. At the end of service, the church is stripped bare, a stark and powerful sign of all that is to come, but before we leave there is the Watch at the Altar of Repose, created at St Mary’s above the Easter Garden. It is a quiet, candlelit space for prayer, recalling Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Good Friday begins with an Easter workshop for our children, with crafts and a gentle introduction to the story of the day. In the afternoon, we gather for the Good Friday Liturgy: simple, solemn, and deeply moving, as we stand at the foot of the cross and remember the depth of Christ’s love.
Holy Saturday is a day of preparation and quiet hope, as the church is gradually made ready again. A team of volunteers work their magic with the flowers, and the choir rehearses one last time, ahead of the great celebration to come.
And then, before Easter morning even dawns, comes the Easter Vigil on Saturday evening; without doubt my favourite service of the year. We begin in darkness. A single flame — the light of Christ — is brought into the church in the form of the Paschal Candle, and slowly that light is shared fiom person to person until the whole space glows. We listen to the story of God’s saving work, and then, suddenly, the lights blaze, the Gloria rings out, and Easter is proclaimed: Christ is risen!
Easter Day itself begins quietly at 8:00am with a said Eucharist, before our main celebration at 10:00am, a joyful, full-hearted service which this year will be made even more special as We celebrate the Baptism of twelve of om‘ young people. Easter has always been the traditional time for Baptism, and it is a wonderful sign of new life and hope to see so many taking this step. We round off the day with Choral Evensong at 5:30pm, a fitting and beautiful close to a remarkable journey.
If you have never experienced the Triduum, I cannot recommend it highly enough. It is not just a series of services, but a journey, that dramatically takes us through joy, sorrow, stillness, and ultimately into life and light. It is something to be entered into, not simply observed.After all that, I may well take a day or two of rest, and perhaps even enjoy a well-earned gin!
A warm welcome awaits you at St Mary’s this Easter. But whether or not I see you in person, please be assured of my continued prayers and blessings for you and for your families.
Fr ChrisAs some of you may know, for around thirty years, the legal ‘right of presentation’ at St Mary Our Lady has been suspended. In simple terms, that means the parish was not formally able to appoint an ‘incumbent’ (that is a Vicar or Rector) in the usual Way. Instead, the Bishop appointed a Priest-in-Charge to lead and serve the parish. Over those years St Mary’s has been faithfully served by Fr Allan Jenkins, Fr Stephen Guise and during periods of interregnum, Fr Roger Pullen. More recently I have had the privilege of being Priest- in-Charge, a position I was licensed to in the Bishop’s Chapel-in July 2022, and I began my ministry here in September of that year.
The Bishop of Chichester has recently decided to reinstate the right of presentation at St Mary’s, and following the proper legal process, he and the PCC have invited me to become Vicar of the Benefice of Sidlesham.
In practical terms, this changes very little. I shall continue With my dual roles as National Missioner for The Society and-Parish Priest here at St Mary’s, With the same pastoral and spiritual responsibilities: preaching, celebrating the sacraments, leading the mission of the Church, and doing my best to care for all in the parish and wider community.
However, the reinstatement of right of presentation does give the parish a degree of greater stability and reassurance for the future, and it reflects confidence from the Diocese. I think it can also be seen as a recognition of the good and faithful life that is already flourishing here. I am very grateful for the support, kindness and encouragement Carolyn, Sam and I have received since arriving in Sidlesham three and a half years ago.
There is much to give thanks for at St Mary’s. The pattern of our Worship reflects the inter-generational nature of our congregation, om traditional Prayer Book Choral Matins and Evensong to the very informal Crafty Communion. We have a growing Sunday School and Youth Hub, a faithful and dedicated choir, a talented flower arranging team. Mary’s Place, which offers tea, cake and chat to anyone in the community, continues to be popular and, of course we are blessed with a precious and holy 13*“ Century Church which is open every day.
In short, we are a living parish, which I believe is prayerful, welcoming, and quietly hopeful for the future.
God willing, I will be licensed as Vicar [by the Rt Revd William Hazlewood, Bishop of Lewes, and inducted by Archdeacon Fr Tom Carpenter, at 7:30pm on Tuesday _5th May at St Mary’s. The service will be followed by refreshments in the Parish Rooms. I very much hope that many of you — churchgoers and friends of St Mary’s alike — will come along. It will be an opportunity not simply to mark a legal change, but to give thanks and celebrate what God is doing among us.
Please put the date in your diary!
With all blessings.
Fr ChrisI hope everyone had a joyous Christmas and a peaceful New Year. It always amuses me when l meet people early in January and they say, ‘Happy New Year! Did you have a nice Christmas?’ quickly followed by, ‘Oh, sony. .. I expect you were busy!’ Well, yes, I was ~ but in a good sort of way, and with far less pressure than the many people who have to do demanding and essential work to support our communities over the holiday period. For the record, this year I had a relatively stress-free Christmas. We even managed to eat Christmas dinner on the actual day, and on'Boxing Day I put my feet up in front of a lovely fire and had a look online at how other churches had been marking the birth of Jesus. It didn’t take long before I was distracted by videos of Great Danes doing stupid things and other frivolous posts from across the globe.
One particularly rich vein of humour came from church noticeboards and captions, and I thought I might share a few with you:
- * ‘Lord, help us to be the people our dogs think we are’
- * ‘God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts’
- * ‘Prophecy class cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances!’
- * ‘Tweet others, as you would like to be Tweeted’
- * Don’t let worries kill you. Let the church help’
- * If there's a ‘Highway to hell’ but only a ‘Stairway to Heaven’,
- what does this say about anticipated traffic numbers?’
- * ‘We welcome sinners ~ saints are tolerated!
This last one turned out to be strangely prophetic. As part of my other role, I visited a church outside of the diocese to offer some advice on how they might improve mission and outreach to their community. Before leaving, I looked at their website which promised a warm welcome. I arrived early for the meeting to look around the church; however, rather than a welcome, I was greeted with a firmly locked heavy-duty security gate. At times my job is much easier than others, and you can imagine my first suggestion for improving their community engagement!
But more seriously, I’m sure at least some of you Will have experienced that feeling of disappointment and frustration felt at not being able to look around, or simply sit quietly, in a church that is firmly locked shut. This is something I’m very pleased that visitors to Sidlesham seldom experience; St Mary Our Lady Church is open every day during daylight hours for private prayer, quiet reflection, or to just look around our ancient, beautiful and holy building.
With my prayers and every blessing.
Fr ChrisWhen I was in church the other day, someone paused beside the sanctuary and remarked on how beautiful the blue altar frontal looked. It was one of those simple observations that opens up a much bigger story. I found myself explaining that the blue was not chosen just because it looks nice, but because it reflects an old English tradition, with roots in something known as the Sarum Rite.
The Sarum Rite was a pattern of worship that developed around Salisbury Cathedral in the Middle Ages and, by the fifteenth century, was used in most English churches. Although many things changed over the centuries, some of its customs still influence how churches look and worship today. One of these is the use of blue in a few churches during Advent, the season that leads up to Christmas.
In many churches, purple is used during Advent as well as during Lent, the season before Easter. Using blue helps to show that these two seasons, while both thoughtful and reflective, are actually quite different. Lent is about penitence: facing uncomfortable truths, saying sorry, and preparing for the reality of the Cross. Advent, on the other hand, is about preparation and anticipation. It is a time of waiting, watching, and hoping, as we look towards the coming of Christ at Christmas.
It is important to remember that the colours used in church are not simply there for decoration. Like the changing colours of the natural world through the year — fresh greens in spring, bright summer hues, rich autumn tones, and the muted shades of winter — the Church also marks time with colour. These changes help to shape the atmosphere and underline what each season is about.
Green, used for much of the year, reflects growth and everyday life. White and gold are deployed at Christmas, Easter and on many Feast days expressing joy, celebration, and light. Red appears at Pentecost and on days remembering martyrs, pointing to the fire of the Holy Spirit and the courage of those who gave their lives for their faith. Purple speaks of penitence and solemn preparation in Lent and, in many places, Advent. And then there is rose’: worn by clergy on the Sundays of Gaudete in Advent and Laetare in Lent. That sudden softening of ' colour is deliberate; a visual sigh of relief, reminding us that joy is already breaking in, even as we wait or repent.
So when you notice the colours changing in church, you are seeing something more than fabric and furnishings. They are part of a visual language and theology woven into fabric helping to tell a story and invite us to step more fully into the season We are sharing.
With every blessing for a joyous Christmas and hope-filled New Year.
Fr ChrisAs we head towards the end of the year, many of us find ourselves looking back at all that has happened, and looking ahead to what may come. The Bible readings used at this time of year invite us to lift our eyes beyond the everyday and to reflect on the bigger picture of our lives and of the world. They speak honestly about uncertainty, change, and the passing of things we once thought permanent.
That may resonate with many of us. Our world today can feel restless and unsettled. We see conflict, division, and rapid change. Institutions we once relied upon seem less secure, and public conversations often feel more heated than helpful. It’s easy, in such a climate, to feel overwhelmed.
Yet in the midst of all this, the words of Scripture — and indeed the wisdom found in many traditions — offer something steady. They remind us that although life changes, and although the things we build do not last forever, we are not left without hope. Time and again we are encouraged not to be afraid, not to lose heart, and not to give up on doing what is good.
One of the most striking lines we hear at this time of year comes from St Paul: “Do not grow weary in doing what is right.” It is a reminder that even small acts of kindness, patience and courage matter deeply. When the world feels uncertain, these are the things that quietly keep communities strong. They are the gestures that tell another person, “You are not alone.”
Jesus’ message to his first followers was similar. He spoke honestly about troubling events, yet his purpose was not to frighten but to steady and encourage. He reminded people that fear is not a guide, and that goodness, compassion and faithfulness are never wasted — even when the world feels fragile.
As we move into Advent, we are invited once again to reflect on hope. Advent is a season that looks both backwards and forwards: back to the birth of Christ, and forward to the promise that renewal and healing are part of God’s purpose for the world. For believers, this is a source of great comfort; for anyone, it can be a reminder that the story of humanity is not simply one of decline, but also of restoration, rebuilding and new possibilities.
In the weeks ahead, may we each find moments of stillness in the busyness of December.
May we look for ways to encourage one another.
May we keep working for peace — in our homes, in our community, and in the Wider world.
And may we hold fast to the truth that, even when times feel uncertain, light continues to shine.
With every blessing for a hopeful and peaceful Advent season.
Fr ChrisAs I write, autumn is beginning to take hold - fields turning gold, the air cooler, and the evenings drawing in. It’s a season that always invites a moment of reflection and gratitude.
Our own plans for the late summer didn’t quite go as expected. Covid, forced us to cancel our much-anticipated trip to the Greek Islands. Instead, in a spur-of-the-moment decision, we found ourselves on a boat on the Norfolk Broads. And what a wonderful surprise it turned out to be. We spent the days moving slowly along the waterways, watching herons and swans, and mooring up in quiet villages. A few of the churches there even had their own moorings —— an unexpected delight, and an irresistible invitation to stop and step inside, and step back in time.
Each church we visited was preparing for its Harvest Festival. Their displays of fruit, flowers and grain told the same story We know so well here in Sidlesham: a community pausing to give thanks for the land, for those who work it, and for the simple gift of daily bread. Though we were miles from home, it felt instantly familiar — that same mix of gratitude, beauty, and belonging that marks harvest time wherever it’s celebrated. To make the world feel even smaller, it turned out that I even knew the parish priest of two of the churches we visited!
Our own Harvest Festival here was a fine celebration of that same spirit (I was sorry to miss it personally due to another virus and concussion - but that’s another story!) The church looked splendid in its autumn colours, and it was good to hear about how people gathered to give thanks and to enjoy food, drink and music across the weekend. My thanks go to everyone who helped make it happen — from those who decorated the church to those who quietly packed and delivered the gifts that followed. Donations of food and flowers were shared locally, with the remainder going to Stonepillow, supporting people facing homelessness across our area.
Harvest reminds us how deeply we are connected — to the land, to one another, and to the wider church family of which we’re part. Whether in Sidlesham or on the Norfolk Broads, the same prayers of gratitude rise up, giving voice to the truth that everything we have is a gift, and that we are called to share it generously.
With every blessing.
Father ChrisLast Sunday (14 September) we celebrated our Patronal Festival — the special day in the year when we give thanks for our church’s dedication to Mary, the Mother of Jesus. For us it isn’t just an excuse for a party (though cake is usually involved). It’s a chance to pause, to look back at our history, and to remember what our church means to the life of the village today.
One of the images I used in my sermon was of pilgrimage. Pilgrimage is about far more than long walks to distant shrines — it’s about stepping aside from ordinary routines, Walking together, and discovering something fresh that sends us home changed. In the Christian tradition, certain places have always felt “thin,” Wm? heaven and earth seem closer — like Lindisfarne or Walsingham. But actually, that sense of being on a journey is something we can all recognise.
Our church has a proud place in the story of pilgrimage. In medieval times, St Mary Our Lady was a stopping place for pilgrim travelling from Selsey to Chichester Cathedral. This ancient route is being rediscovered as part of the diocesan celebrations marking the 950th anniversary of Chichester Diocese — when the Cathedra (that is the official chair of the bishop) was moved from Selsey to Chichester. The other week, a group led by the Archdeacon of Brighton walked the path, stopping here for rest and refreshments. Afterwards, one of the pilgrims wrote to say how grateful they were for the welcome — proof that hospitality is still one of our parish’s great strengths!
We saw the same spirit again during the annual ‘Ride and Stride’; many churches simply open their doors, but here volunteers stayed all day, greeting visitors, offering water,‘ and of course a steady supply of cake. It was a simple thing, but it made all the difference. And is that not one of the things that a village community is all about: taking the time to welcome the stranger, to share food and drink, and to offer encouragement for the journey ahead?
This sense of welcome is also very fitting for our patron, Mary. Her own life was full of journeys — from Nazareth to Bethlehem for Jesus’ birth, to Jerusalem for the great festivals, and finally to the foot of the Cross. At each stage she trusted God afresh, saying ‘yes’ to what lay ahead. That single ‘yes’ — her fiat, ‘let it be to me according to your " word’ — made possible the birth of Christ.
That’s why -shrines dedicated to Mary, such as Walsingham (which I visit regularly) have always been places of prayer, renewal, and new beginnings. But shrines and festivals aren’t ends in themselves — they point us towards Jesus. And Mary’s advice at the wedding at Cana still rings true: ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ So as a village, whether we think of ourselves as pilgrims or not, we can all share in that same spirit: stepping aside now and then, welcoming others, and finding the courage to say ‘yes’ to the opportunities that lie ahead.
Keep Warm and dry as autumn fast approaches!
Father Chris
