St Mary and St Gabriel

Sharing the love of God

Letter from Harriet, the Rector – 20^th November 2020

Dear friends, I do hope you are all coping ok in this month of lockdown before Advent begins.  If I haven't managed to phone you as yet please feel free to get in touch, and if there's anything you need, do ask. Every day, I say Morning Prayer in church at Harting, and as well as praying for you all and for our villages, there are always two readings from the Bible. November's readings are from the prophets and the book of Revelation and the images and ideas that jump off the page are very vivid and colourful.  One of the images we're confronted with a lot during this month is the image of Christ seated on his throne in heaven.  And this Sunday - the final Sunday in the church year - is the feast of Christ the King!  Such a different image from Jesus the Good Shepherd or the Jesus who comes to us in the flesh at Christmas. I wonder what you make of this image of Christ the King...seated in majesty on his throne, surrounded by angels and archangels, looking down upon all of creation. It's an image that helps to remind us that God is Lord of all, and that his perspective is different from our own.  He sees the bigger picture. Sometimes, it's impossible for us to see a way through a difficult mess, or to imagine that a broken relationship could be healed, or how a particular problem might be solved.  But God's ways are not our ways and his thoughts are not our thoughts.  And that's a reason to pray, and to place our hope and trust in him, the one for whom nothing is impossible. The glorious view from the Downs to our villages below offers us that same reminder of God's vision and perspective being so much bigger than our own. And yet he knows us all so fully and is always ready to take us by the hand and lead us onwards when we can't see the way ahead. This Sunday, to celebrate Christ the King, we will broadcast a Eucharist at 10am from Harting with music provided by Chris, and next week for Advent Sunday we'll have a telephone service in the morning at 10am and a broadcast evening service at 6pm.   For details of how to watch and take part, please see the Church Services page. All are welcome to join the Advent course starting on Tuesday 1st December (on Zoom initially).  Again, details are below.  I hope it will be a time for us to enjoy coming together to reflect on the scriptures with the help of art and poetry as we journey through Advent. (No prior knowledge is necessary!) with every blessing for the week ahead, Harriet An Advent Course - Angels from the Realms of Glory A 4-week journey through Advent reflecting on four human encounters with angels in the Bible - Abraham, Jacob, Mary & Joseph.   No prior knowledge necessary!   We shall meet on Zoom unless the restrictions allow us to meet in person.   Tuesday 1st, Tuesday 8th, Tuesday 15th, Tuesday 22nd December at 7pm Each session will include some prayer, reading of scripture, reflecting on a piece of art or a poem, and some gentle discussion, and will last about 1 hour. All are welcome!  Please let Harriet know if you would like to come - and it doesn't matter if you can't make all the sessions - come when you can! with every blessing for the week ahead, Harriet

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We are delighted to welcome our new Rector, The Reverend Harriet Neale-Stevens. 

Harriet joined us on the 24th September when she was formally Inducted as Incumbunt of Harting with Elsted and Treyford cum Didling at a service led by the Bishop of Horsham. 

We extend to Harriet and her young family a huge welcome and hope they will be very happy here in their new home.

We have support from our Benefice Deacon Emma D'Aeth, together with Roger Williamson (Honorary Priest) and our Lay Reader Patricia Grigsby. The Deanery also supports our weddings and funerals.

Please refer any church matters to the Churchwardens, Hatti and Sarah – click here for the contact page. Information about services will be updated regularly. 

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Welcome to our website. Please browse the pages to learn about us. Should you require further Information, do not hesitate to contact us by letter, telephone, or email.

The Parish Church of St Mary & St Gabriel, in the West Sussex village of South Harting, is part of the United Benefice of Harting with Elsted and Treyford cum Didling (in the Diocese of Chichester).

For nearly 800 years, our Church has witnessed to the love of God. Over that period, people have gathered Sunday by Sunday for worship and to share in the Eucharist (Holy Communion). They have come here to be baptised, married, and finally to be buried. 

The Church building is widely recognised as one of the finest in England, and we are pleased to welcome many visitors, especially during the Summer months. South Harting is on a popular cycling route, and is very close to the glorious South Downs Way. Our Summer cream teas (Sundays 2.30pm to 4.30pm) attract villagers and travellers alike.

Of course, although our building is very important to us, the essence of our Church consists of the people who belong to it. We seek to follow Christ, and to share God's love with our local community. Aside from our Sunday services, we hold regular courses (especially during Lent and Advent) where people can learn more about the Christian Faith, and dare to ask questions. We like to think of ourselves as very open minded. Authentic Christian Faith is not about blind belief, but about growing in faith and love and service.

We enjoy an excellent relationship with the local Congregational Church. The Rector and the Congregational Ministers work closely together, and meet together most weeks to share news and to pray.

If you are able to visit us, or to join in any of our activities, you will be most welcome. 

Last updated - 19/11/2020

Email webmaster: pjhaymanathome@btinternet.com

Safeguarding

Policy on the Safeguarding of Children and Adults in the Church

This statement was adopted by Harting with Elsted and Treyford cum Didling (Benefice) at Parochial Church Council meetings held in April 2018 

This policy will be reviewed each year to monitor the progress which has been achieved.

We recognise that everyone has different levels of vulnerability and that each of us may be regarded as vulnerable at some time in our lives.

1.    As members of this benefice we commit ourselves to respectful pastoral care for all children and adults to whom we minister.

2.    We commit ourselves to the safeguarding of people who may be vulnerable, ensuring their well-being in the life of this church.

3.    We commit ourselves to promoting safe practice by those in positions of trust.

4.    The parish commits itself to promoting the inclusion and empowerment of people who may be vulnerable.

5.    It is the responsibility of each of us to prevent the physical, emotional, sexual, financial and spiritual abuse of vulnerable people and to report any such abuse that we discover or suspect.

6.    We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with people who may be vulnerable.

7.    The parish is committed to supporting, resourcing, training and regularly reviewing those who undertake work among people who may be vulnerable.

8.    The parish adopts the guidelines of the Church of England and the Diocese.

9.    Each person who works with vulnerable people will agree to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by this church.

This church appoints Jane Thwaites to represent the concerns and views of vulnerable people at our meetings and to outside bodies, as the parish safeguarding officer and CCPAS Lead Recruiter.

Contact telephone number: 01730 825652   Email: Jane.Thwaites@btinternet.com