MONTHLY UPDATE FROM SIMON

August 2025

Dear Friends

There’s been quite a lot of talk recently about a possible spiritual revival in this country.  Sales of bibles have increased, some churches are experiencing significant growth (particularly those that adhere to traditional Christian teaching and worship), and the members of Gen Z seem far less sceptical about religious claims than their parents.

Can this be true?  Ever since I was ordained, I’ve been aware of a steady decline in church attendance, and few observers would doubt that the Church as a whole remains marginal to most people’s lives.  A recent book by Rupert Shortt, a Cambridge academic, is called ‘The Eclipse of Christianity – and why it matters’, and it begins by setting out the stark facts of church decline in Western Europe, which contrast sharply with the huge growth of Christianity in some other parts of the world.

But there does seem to be a new curiosity about organised religion and, in particular, the power and value of ritual.  Whereas many people would, until recently, have dismissed worship as ‘boring and irrelevant’, there is now a revival of interest in – for instance - the Latin Mass, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Anglican choral tradition.  Many people have told me how moved they were by Pope Francis’ funeral and the solemnity of its liturgy - with the sound of plainsong, and the sight of bishops and priests in matching vestments, filling St Peter’s Square.

What about our own rather more modest situation here?  Well, our regular congregations are certainly not large, and we would love to see more children and younger people, especially at our monthly All Age Eucharist. There’s no obvious sign yet of a religious revival sweeping through Harting or Treyford!

But there is plenty to encourage us.  Large numbers of you join us for our Christmas, Easter, Harvest, and Remembrance Sunday services.  Many more attend christenings and weddings.  Our three churches are always open to visitors and those seeking spiritual solace.  And our rhythm of worship goes on, Sunday by Sunday, enriched by our choir, organists and bellringers, and offered to the best of our ability.  It’s a privilege to be part of it and a delight to welcome newcomers.

I’m not daunted by the so-called ‘eclipse of Christianity’, and I count myself lucky in having a faith that is flexible enough to accommodate a fair amount of doubt and uncertainty.  As far as a revival is concerned, I can well believe that increasing numbers of people are seeking an intelligent and well-grounded form of spiritual practice to sustain them in our present unsettling times; whether it leads to an increase in church attendance remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, I continue to have a quiet confidence in the Anglican spiritual tradition, with its balance of scripture, tradition and reason, and its foundation of dignified liturgical worship.  It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it certainly has enduring power and considerable beauty.  As one great seventeenth century churchman, Nicholas Ferrar, put it: ’It’s the right, good old way you are in; keep in it.’

With my prayers and best wishes,

Simon

Sea Sunday

On Sunday 3rd August, at our 10am All Age Eucharist at Harting, we shall be celebrating Sea Sunday (transferred from 13th July).  It’s an opportunity to remember that we are an island nation, heavily dependent on seafarers for so many of our consumer items and essential supplies, and it’s the occasion when we show our support for the Mission to Seafarers.  MTS is one of the oldest Church of England societies, founded in 1836, and it does incredible work all around the world providing practical and pastoral care for the 1.9 million seafarers of all nationalities who face isolation, danger and hardship on a daily basis.

We look forward to welcoming you to our service and invite you to give generously to support MTS in its ongoing mission.

VJ Day Commemoration – Monday 11th August

The 80th anniversary of VJ Day falls on 15th August, and we shall honour the memory of those who fought and died in the Far East in what is often called the ‘Forgotten War’.

British civilians also suffered greatly following the Fall of Singapore, many of them dying in refugee camps from malnutrition and disease.  They, too, deserve our remembrance.

On Monday 11th August Margie Caldicott, from St Paul’s Church in Chichester, is kindly coming to us to talk to us about the women and children, including her mother, who were interned in a camp in Palembang in Sumatra in the most squalid and brutalising conditions.  Among the other inmates was the missionary Margaret Dryburgh, who formed a ‘vocal orchestra’ to help sustain morale, and wrote the famous ‘Captives’ Hymn’ which was sung every Sunday (you can hear moving renditions of it on YouTube).

Margie has visited Sumatra and was present at the dedication of a memorial to those who died there.  Her talk will be in the Law Room at 6pm.  Wine and soft drinks will be available.

Tent Service

I do hope that many of you will, as usual be able to join us for the Tent Service, which this year is on Sunday 17th August at 10am (please note the time: in the past it’s sometimes been at 10.30, but I have to get to Didling by 11.30am).  The speaker will be Sarah Adams, who is the CEO of Chichester Foodbank and a committed Christian. Please come and support her and her important work.