St Mary and St Gabriel

Sharing the love of God

Letter from Harriet, the Rector – 26^th November 2020

Dear friends, We have had some good news this week in that public worship can resume in our churches from next week, when this current lockdown ends and we move into Tier 2.  We will be worshipping in church again on Sunday 6th December. See the Church Services page for a list of services planned for December - note the candlelit evening service at Elsted which I hope will be a quiet time to reflect on the season. This Sunday, however, we are still in lockdown so we will hold a telephone service at 10am and an evening service to mark the start of Advent at 6pm, broadcast via facebook.   Next week we also begin our Advent course - "Angels from the Realms of Glory" - which will focus on four angelic encounters in the Bible.  We'll start the course on Zoom but hopefully, if the restrictions allow, we may be able to meet in person thereafter.  Please do let me know if you are interested in coming along, you don't need to commit to all four weeks.  It would be lovely to have a few more people. 1st December marks the start of our Advent Window Trail around the village.  Every evening from 5-8pm, a new window will be lit up - see below for details of where to look for them.  On Christmas Eve we'll reveal the final window in the church - a living crib scene.  This will be instead of our usual crib Service as the restrictions make planning for that this year too difficult.  We will need some help on Christmas Eve between 4-5pm to welcome people to see the living crib - if you are free and would like to help on the door for an hour, please do let me know.  Alternatively, I am looking for one or two more people to be involved in creating the crib scene - if you don't mind donning a costume for an hour on Christmas Eve and are happy to either sit or stand, do let me know.  No acting skills are required!! As we begin Advent, we turn from our image of Christ the King to Christ of the manger.  The season of Advent gives us time to prepare for his coming.  How will we make ready for him?   What aspects of our lives need a little refreshing?  How are we praying?  Are we making time to listen to God?  How might we do that?   There is much to ponder, as we approach Christmas.  May it be for us a time of turning again to the Lord, looking to him as he prepares to look at us, face to face. 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