St Mary and St Gabriel

Sharing the love of God

Letter from Harriet, the Rector – 8^th May 2021

Letter from Harriet, the Rector This week, we meet for the 10am Benefice Eucharist at Elsted and I will be preaching about joy!  There has been a lot of joy for me this week, meeting with baptism families, wedding couples, and enjoying cups of tea with you on my visits.    I hope you have found some joy this week. On Thursday evening this week (13th May) at 6pm we celebrate Ascension and we'll be having an outdoor Eucharist in Harting churchyard, weather permitting.  If it's wet, we'll meet in church.   On Sunday 23rd May we celebrate Pentecost, remembering the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and we celebrate the continued presence of the Spirit with us today.  Pentecost is often referred to as the birthday of the church because on that day the Spirit began its work of shaping and forming us into people and communities who are continually growing to be more like Christ.   This week, we start "Prayer in the Afternoon" at Elsted - Tuesdays at 2pm, beginning on 11th May.  Each week we'll explore a different way of praying. Some ways will be known to you, others may be new, so it's an opportunity to explore together and also to be alert as we pray to where God might be calling us as individuals and as a church community.  All are welcome and I do hope many of you will come and share in this time of prayer. Our APCMs are fixed for the following dates: Harting - Wednesday 19th May at 7pm in Harting church Elsted and Treyford cum Didling - Tuesday 25th May at 5pm in Elsted church All those on our church electoral rolls are welcome to attend.  If you are not on our electoral roll and would like to be, please contact me or Nigel Johnson-Hill, our Electoral Roll Officer, and we will give you a form to complete.   STOP PRESS!  We have 3 vacancies for PCC members at Harting - if you would like to stand for election or would like to find out a bit more, please do have a chat with me.  I am very keen for the PCC to represent the breadth of the church community and as we go forward I am hoping we will consider our mission and purpose with openness and anticipation as to where the Spirit might be calling us.  You don't need to have any particular church "knowledge" to join, but a desire to listen to God, to each other, to be open minded, and to be committed to the life of the church.  PCC members need to be regular church attenders. Elsted's PCC are looking for a secretary - if you would like to use your skills in this way, please do let me know. I hope you all have a good weekend and week ahead.  May God's blessing be with you. with every blessing, Harriet

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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 - 8/5/2021

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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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Safeguarding

Safeguarding Policy Statement

As members of the PCCs of Harting and Elsted with Treyford cum Didling we are committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of all our members.

We recognise that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.

We are committed to implementing all safeguarding policies and practice guidance issued by the House of Bishops

We will carefully select and train all those who work or volunteer in positions of trust.  We will use the Disclosure and Barring Service, amongst other tools, to check the background of each person.

We will respond, without delay, to every concern made that a person for whom we are responsible may have been harmed. 

We will co-operate fully with statutory agencies during any investigation concerning a member of the church community.

We will seek to ensure that anyone for whom we have pastoral responsibility who has suffered abuse is offered support that meets their needs.

We will respond appropriately to those who have committed sexual offences who wish to join our fellowship, following House of Bishop's guidance and the advice of the Safeguarding Team.

We will review this policy annually and as part of this process will ensure that all our procedures, particularly in relation to the Disclosure and Barring Service, are up to date.

Our Safeguarding Representative is Jane Thwaites

Address: Pond Cottage, Elsted, West Sussex, GU29 0LA

Telephone: 07444299054 or 01730 82565

Email: jane.thwaites@btinternet.com