MAY 2025
Services from May – Mother Jessica writes:
“To best serve our Benefice, the PCCs of both churches have agreed that from 4th May the 8am will always be at Apuldram, and the 9.30am will be at Fishbourne.
The fifth Sunday of the month will have a single United Benefice service which will alternate across both churches.
The 8am
We appreciate that there are lots of factors going into the services people choose to attend. Our 8am service often has a number of children, or people new to church, and so we will be using more familiar language at the 8am and have more opportunities for readers and intercessors to be involved.
Worshipping as a Benefice
The PCCs have been considering how to encourage us all to build sustainable habits of worship, which focus on the unique strengths of each of the churches in our Benefice. Fishbourne’s main service has always been the 9.30am Eucharist, and it is here that there is the best opportunity for the building of community, appropriate teaching for children and adults, and music. Apuldram’s peaceful surroundings encourage more contemplative services.
Building up our common life of prayer
Working together as a Benefice to help us grow in faith and love.
Got questions?
First Wednesdays of the month, The Woolpack 7.30pm
If you are trying to work out what God means in your life, it can feel a bit overwhelming. On the first Wednesday of the month we have an informal group in The Woolpack to explore questions of faith. It’s good for beginners, for people who have believed for a long time but have lots of questions, and for people who just want to grow in their faith.
Our next meeting on May 7th is going to explore what the Eucharist is.”
Annual Parish Church Meeting
took place on 8th April. There were no nominations for election as churchwardens and these posts remain vacant. All current members of the PCC were re-elected. The Treasurer, Minutes Secretary and Electoral Roll officer remain unchanged, as does the Deputy Churchwarden. The Treasurer’s Report (Trustees’ Annual Report) and Financial Statements, together with the Independent Examiner’s Report were approved and signed. All present thanked Mother Jessica for her caring ministry and encouragement.
VE80 A shared moment of celebration – 8th May
A reminder: Come and join the celebration! The closing date for fish and chips is Sunday 4th May. Otherwise free entry from 6.30pm to the event, hosted by Apuldram Parish Meeting and Dell Quay Sailing Club and held in the Clubhouse. Bar, tea and coffee will be available. Sing along with the DQSC group and dance to the fabulous The Lady and the Dukes. At 9.30pm the beacon will be lit to join over one thousand beacons and hundreds of Lamp Lights of Peace which will shine throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. The flames from them both represent the ‘light of peace’ that emerged from the dreadful darkness of war.
EASTER SUNDAY
The church was packed for a joyful Easter Sunday service which was followed by an Easter Egg hunt. The flower team worked hard to fill the church with spring arrangements. A few pics below:
Easyfundraising
It really is easy to raise funds for St Mary’s! Just start your online shopping journey at easyfundraising, then shop as normal with any of its 7,000+ brand partners. When you make a purchase, the brand partner will make a small donation to your chosen cause.
Here’s how to do it:
- Go to easyfundraising.org.uk
- Click on “Find a cause”
- In the box type St Mary’s Church – Apuldram, then click Search Cause
- On the next page click on St Mary’s Church – Apuldram
- This page shows you how to sign up and support St Mary’s
It is very straightforward and we could raise so much more for the church if everyone gave their support. Next time you shop online please go to easyfundraising and sign up if you have not already done so.
St Mary’s Meeting Room is available to hire Please email [email protected] for information