Petworth Community...

Long time no post!

2012-01-26T13:14:00.000-08:00

Hi all, sorry it's been so long since the last entry.

I have uploaded details of our next set of Sunday gatherings. Click here to view

For those involved in Kids Church you can also see details of our Kids church mornings. Click here to view

VICAR OF BAGHDAD AT ST. MARY'S PETWORTH THURSDAY 27th OCT. @7.30pm

2011-10-23T13:32:00.000-07:00

Dear Local Friends

The evening next Thursday 27th October starts at 7.30 at St. Mary's , Church Street, Petwoth ( GU28 0AE ), with best parking in the Car Park off Market Square in the free Car Park ( GU28 0BF). Doors open from 6.30.
The evening should be over by 9pm , after refreshments donated by local churches.

Canon Andrew, aka THE VICAR OF BAGHDAD, is a larger than life character and has a no-holds barred ( at times controversial ) approach to public speaking . It will be a most interesting evening for sure.

Kids Church again this Sunday. Yay!

2011-10-06T14:50:00.000-07:00

Throughout the Autumn on the second Sunday of every month, our Sunday morning get-together will be a little different.The aim is to create a relaxed and welcoming environment for us and our friends whilst giving the kids an hour of crazy games, raucous songs, bible stories, quizzes and more.

The details are on the flyers which can be downloaded and printed from the links below. And please do download, print and pass to to friends who you feel would enjoy such a morning.

Update...

2011-09-27T05:51:00.000-07:00

It was great to see the start of something new over at Tillington on Sunday with a good crowd joining together to Worship and pray at the village hall.

Tony's notes from our gathering that morning are available if you click here and we meet next on Sunday 9th Ocotober for our 2nd Kids Church/Coffee morning.

See you then :-)

Coming up soon...

2011-09-19T14:45:00.000-07:00

On Sunday- 25th Sept at 4pm in Tillington Village hall there will be a time of exploring a slightly more informal style of worship. Members of both the Anglican church and the Community Church will be getting together to share in worship with an acoustic band, exploring some different styles of expressing our reverence and praise for Almighty God. It will be a very gentle introduction to the informal style and the invitation is open to absolutely everyone - it would be a pleasure if you could join us.

Another date for your Diary is October 27th when the Vicar of Baghdad will be coming to speak at St Mary's Church, Petworth.

Click here for more details

Click here for a more detailed background on Canon Andrew White and his work

Kids Church...

2011-08-16T14:09:00.000-07:00

The details are on the flyers which can be downloaded and printed from the links below. And please do download, print and pass to to friends who you feel would enjoy such a morning.

A5 Flyer

2 A5 Flyers on one A4 page

Please contact me if you have trouble with these links. Jonny

Response...

2011-08-11T04:07:00.000-07:00

Inspiration!

Don't forget to let us know if you're 'brunching' on Sunday. Details in last blog post

Brunch...

2011-08-09T13:14:00.000-07:00

Hope you’re enjoying summer! Big congratulations to the amazing team who gave more than 60 Petworth children – and their families, an amazing Holiday Club in the first week of the hols.

For your information, we don’t have our “usual” Sunday gatherings at the Herbert Shiner during August. But please note these dates –

NEXT Sunday (13^th August) we are invited to a “bacon buttie/croissant brunch” – at Jonny & Naomi’s, 16 Littlecote. Hopefully it’ll be a fine day and we can spill out in their garden! 2 important points to note: PLEASE bring a contribution of £2 per person, or £5 per family. Also – PLEASE let J & Naomi if you’ll be coming – they need to know how much food to buy! Phone 343440 or email: welchs@btinternet.com

On Sunday 27^th, the suggestion is to go for a walk together – plenty of places to choose from in this lovely part of the world!

Blessings,

Sue

Everyday evangelism

2011-07-25T15:23:00.000-07:00

Dear all, we were unable to record this last Sunday's talk from Kate but you can click on the links below to look back at her notes on everyday evangelism,

Notes
Presentation

Chris on Evangelism

2011-07-15T15:06:00.000-07:00

A very belated entry to our latest teaching recordings is now downloadable. Chris's thought-provoking perspectives on Evangelism as a "Root, Foundation & Pillar" of our life and identity within the Petworth and South Downs area. This is worthy of a 2nd hearing and further consideration and dialogue.

A Question of Worship

2011-06-26T08:14:00.000-07:00

This morning Eunice asked for our thoughts on Worship ahead of her talk on Septemer 11th. She has asked us to email her with any answers to these questions and any other thoughts we may have on the topic.

How do you worship in private?
How can you contribute to public worship?
Do angels play any part in our worship?
Why do we worship God?
Does any biblical figure stand out as one who worshipped God?
Can we learn from other denominations? If so what?

You may have answers or more questions. Please email with your thoughts

Many thanks, Eunice

eunianddavid@googlemail.com

Something to think about

2011-06-21T05:54:00.000-07:00

The Holy Spirit

2011-06-14T09:56:00.000-07:00

It's as easy and as essential to our lives as breathing! Receiving the Holy Spirit. Another Root, Foundation, Pillar within all that we believe, unwrapped for us by Sue. The notes (under Links) and recording (under Recordings of Teaching) our available to download now.

2011-05-10T08:39:00.000-07:00

Sunday's intro to Roots, Foundations and Pillars is downloadable in note form from "Links" and an MP3 in "Recordings"... Do grab a few moments to start to explore this in your own time or with a friend or two. Listening to a talk every couple of weeks won't be enough to graple this through into our lives, so let's get creative!

Greetings from Hannah

2011-04-24T07:23:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,It was great to see some of you when I was recently home for an unexpected weekend visit to celebrate my mum's graduation – I'm so grateful to be able to work among the people who are so close to my heart yet be able to 'pop' home on the train for the weekend. It was also great to have a visit from John, Sue and Kate. We had a great time visiting the W African parts of Paris and meeting lots of people out and about on the streets. Their visit was a real encouragement for me.

A few weeks ago I had a moment of radio fame in Paris, when I agreed to go on a weekly radio show for the S community! It was a tiring experience – the show lasted for over three hours, and even though I wasn't talking all that time, I had to concentrate hard as I could be asked a question at any moment, on a wide variety of topics. I came away slightly frustrated at the language mistakes I made and the things I thought afterwards that I 'could' have said, but lots of people have since commented on the fact that they heard me and stories of the tubab (white person) who speaks S are spreading!

I have also been teaching twice a week (covering for someone who was away) at the women's literacy classes that I was helping out at, even though as a foreigner I don't feel that qualified to teach French! Most of the women are immigrants who have already learnt French orally, so the focus of the class is to help them learn the alphabet and how to read and write, equipping them with skills to help with daily life here in France.

Another thing I have been occupied with is converting all the 54 Bible stories that we recorded in Gambia into dvd format (nothing fancy, just a plain screen with the sound files in the background), because dvds are really popular among the community in France and much more widely used than cds or tapes. The big advantage is that I found a way to fit all four hours of stories onto one dvd, whereas they were taking up four audio cds. I have been giving these to different contacts as appropriate.

Right now I am back in Gambia to spend time in the village and to attend a conference for workers from across W Africa. We're busy setting up things for this right now and excited to be welcoming special Petworth guest Reuben who will be coming to look after the children. Thanks to those who have helped make his trip possible – we are looking forward to having him here and his presence will be a great blessing to lots of families!

There's lots more I could write but I'll save it for another time... thanks as always for your support, encouragement and prayers.Love

Hannah

Joseph - Step Father of Jesus

2011-04-12T02:39:00.000-07:00

Hi Church Family. Eunice's very clear portrayal of Jesus humanity highlighted through the role of His "step father" Joseph, makes for good listening. Click on the link in the recordings section on the right.

As promised...

2011-04-11T12:30:00.000-07:00

Click here

As promised on Sunday I have put the list of dates for our Sunday gatherings from May through to September. As you will notice it is very empty! Please click on the image above or on 'PCC Summer Sundays' in 'Links' on the right. From there you should be able to add your name in the boxes. Don't forget to click 'File' and 'Save' before you finish. Give it a try and if you get stuck just email me with what you can do and when.

This from our Blog post on 27th March explains what we'll be looking at. Scroll down to that post for more.

Our next theme for Sundays and beyond...

Where are our Roots? What do we tap in to for daily life and when times are hard, personally and as Church?

What are our Foundations? What is essential to the outworking of our faith, without which, we crumble?

What are the Pillars of our faith – those things which we are building around as a community of believers?

The topics for this season are:

Worship
Prayer, fasting and intercession*
Breaking bread
Fellowship and community living
Teaching
Sharing the Good News, Making Disciples and Evangelism*
Receiving and Living in the Holy Spirit (Including healing and miracles)*
Baptism of New believers
Social action, Justice and Giving*
Leadership

Thanks. Jonny

Sunday 10th April

2011-04-09T07:20:00.000-07:00

Just a quick reminder that as part of our Church Family Gathering tomorrow we will be spending some time dedicating Reuben to God. This will entail praying for him, reading scriptures and writing our prayers thoughts and prophecies down for him.

Please feel free to come having prepared something for him or just go with the flow of the morning.

Roots, Foundations and Pillars

2011-03-27T12:25:00.000-07:00

Our next theme for Sundays and beyond...

Where are our Roots? What do we tap in to for daily life and when times are hard, personally and as Church?

What are our Foundations? What is essential to the outworking of our faith, without which, we crumble?

What are the Pillars of our faith – those things which we are building around as a community of believers?

The topics for this season are:

Worship
Prayer, fasting and intercession*
Breaking bread
Fellowship and community living
Teaching
Sharing the Good News, Making Disciples and Evangelism*
Receiving and Living in the Holy Spirit (Including healing and miracles)*
Baptism of New believers
Social action, Justice and Giving*
Leadership

This list is drawn from both the list we all contributed to when Kev spoke to us and a list compiled by Chris a while ago. It’s not exhaustive and as we discovered when trying to divide the different topics, they all relate and overlap. The aim is for us to look at some of the things which are most important to the life of the Church, or in Kev’s words, the things we give most “weight” to.

It would be especially helpful if speakers could refer to Kev’s teaching, Naomi’s discussion starter document and the questions it raises, and Chris’s thoughts, all of which are available on the blog. We hope that through looking at these topics, we will begin to discuss together the questions raised and be changed by what we learn together, growing closer to God’s best.

It may happen that more than one person wants to take a particular topic, which would be great, because it will give us different perspectives! Some of the topics, marked * cover large areas, especially “Sharing the Good News, Making Disciples and Evangelism” and may need to be looked at more than once form different angles.

Remember, “The Word” doesn’t have to be standing up in front of everyone and talking – you can bring the teaching in your own way and the role of the overseer is to help you make this happen. It is a good idea to talk through your ideas with the overseer for your morning; he or she may also have ideas about how to deliver the Word, make it come alive to us and help us apply it to our lives. It is also always good to think about how we can minister to one another in simple ways and help seal in what God has brought. This may be praying for one another on the morning, but it could also be asking everyone to do something in the weeks between Sundays we meet.

2011-03-27T05:36:00.000-07:00

You are Beloved - for such a time as this... Downloads of Sue's talk are now available, one to listen to (see Recordings index) and the other to follow her notes (see Links).

PCC at Home

2011-03-24T11:31:00.001-07:00

Hello dear All,

As you may remember from our “Chat ‘n Chew”, we’re running with mid-week gatherings, twice-monthly, for the next while. The pattern will follow (with a few exceptions) the 2^nd Tuesday and the 4^th or 5^th Thursday each month. So we had the first in the series last Tuesday.

Our next get-together – of “PCC at Home” will be at John & Pat’s, Thursday March 31^st, and they’ve very kindly invited us to share a meal with them that evening. So - PLEASE let John & Pat know if you can come,(343329) and also offer food contributions!

Plus – offers, please, to host the upcoming dates for “PCC at Home”! There’s no pressure on anyone to come up with a particular focus for the evening you host – you may prefer to simply enjoy having us in your home for chat and coffee! But obviously if there’s something to share, or highlight, or pray into – well and good. The main thing is to be together as family.

Dates coming up – please let me know when you can host (I’ll also be asking peeps directly if I don’t get any responses!?!)

Sue

Hello everyone, its Marianna here...

2011-03-15T15:10:00.000-07:00

Children on the Edge.

Hello everyone, its Marianna here. As you may know me and my mummy are giving up chocolate for lent and it is sponsored for a charity called Children on the Edge. Thank you if you have already donated some money. 14 people have sponsored us, so soon we will have £77. If you haven’t sponsored us and you would like to Email us:

manismitheram@googlemail.com

gin_ger76@hotmail.com

If you’d like to find out more about Children on the Edge go to www.childrenontheedge.org

Thank you!

A Journey of Hope - Sunday 13th March 2011

2011-03-13T07:38:00.000-07:00

Here's Naomi's fantastic artisitic impression of institutional mountains which influence our culture... part of this mornings talk... My Life - A Journey of Hope, which is now available to download with both the recording and the notes.

Chat 'n' Chew & latest YAK

2011-03-09T13:59:00.000-08:00

CHAT 'N' CHEW THIS SUNDAY
This coming Sunday (13th March) we have our church business meeting (that's the chat) whilst we share lunch together (that'll be the chew!). As always the meeting will be after our usual time together and please bring something to share food-wise.

YAK
In other news... the latest copy of our newsletter YAK is available to download in the links section on the right hand side. Thanks as always to those involved in putting it together.

For this we have Jesus

2011-02-27T05:27:00.000-08:00

The recording of Bob's excellent contribution to our series "For Such a Time as This" from this morning's gathering is available for you to download and listen to.

Also, a last minute call for anyone who may like to attend the Pioneer Conference at the end of the week - 4th-5th March. www.pioneer.org.uk - Let me know so we can coordinate bookings and lifts etc.

Also a last call for anyone who wanted to be part of the team popping over to Paris to visit Hannah... 1st-3rd April. Kate, Sue and JR are booking up now, so please let me know if you would like to join us.

2011-02-13T05:28:00.000-08:00

"Don't limit God... He will use the most unlikely characters to achieve his purpose - even us!" Some really helpful teaching from Tony this morning to add to our series ... For Such a Time as This. The notes are available in the "Links" list and the recording is available for download over the next 2 weeks. Apologies... the first couple of minutes is missing, so you'll need to pick up the introduction from the notes.

From this morning...

2011-01-23T07:04:00.000-08:00

Notes from this morning in the Links section and the recording on the right hand side. Also Something from the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which Bob read out at one of our recent meetings.

To contradict lonliness costs.
Relationships comes at a price.
Solo living is free but raw:
investing in togetherness
a charge worth paying.
All are changed in the process:
the lonely - to find life less so;
the already-connected -
to feel the fragility
we all face at some time:
When the future is feared
and the present too painful.
That broken openess
is a welcome wound:
letting others come close,
letting God be there.

Table from Sunday

2011-01-11T11:18:00.000-08:00

Another link in the section on the right! This time it's the table from Kev's talk on Sunday. It was attempt at putting a few of the things we do as Church into categories of New Testament command, Apostolic precedent and Human tradition. A work in progress I think!

Click here for the link or in the link on the right hand side

PCC Spring Sundays...

2011-01-09T08:05:00.000-08:00

Firstly thank you to everyone who brought food to share at our Chat 'n' Chew meeting today. It was a valuable opportunity to share information and updates on various aspects of our Church life. Notes are in the Links section on the right along with the plan for our gatherings for this next season. There are some gaps still so please fill them if you can.

Thanks also to Kev who led discussions and shared his thoughts on some fundermental questions regarding what we do as church and how we live as Christians. The recording is ready to download and his notes are also in the Links section and as was annouced there will be an evening of more discussion and chat on Tuesday at Keyfox from 8pm.

And Finally... Some great news that we forgot to annouced this morning was that Tim & Jo Etheridge have had Baby Boy! Jacob James Chalmers Etheridge was born on Tuesday at 11.40pm, weighing 7lb 9oz. Eunice now has 8 Grandsons!

Some info for you...

2011-01-08T08:09:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

You'll find the latest YAK in the links section on the right with all the usual news and information. Thanks to Linda again for her hard work on this.

We did however forget a couple of things. Firstly that we've got Chat & Chew tomorrow straight after our usual meeting - if you're around please bring something (edible!) to share and we'll all muck in. See you then!

Also Annie has emailed with some crusual info regarding the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The Week of Prayer runs from January 17th to 23rd and concludes with a service at 3pm on 23rd at St Laurance, Lurgashall, followed by tea. There will be daily prayer at 1pm from Monday to Friday of the week led by various church leaders from the area and a 'Wave of prayer' spreading across the area on Wednesday 19th. For more information on any of this please see Annie or Jonny and we can forward you the posters.

Happy New Year and an invite from Hannah...

2011-01-04T14:36:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I hope you all had good times this Christmas.

After four weeks in Gambia I was grateful to arrive back in England just hours before the snow disrupted travel – I enjoyed being able to go sledging in Petworth Park for the first time in years! My stay in Gambia went well and it was great to spend time with the team and with friends in the village. I am now making preparations to head back to France mid-January as I explore what life there working with the S immigrant population will look like. Whilst in Gambia I was told about lots more contacts of family members and friends who live in Paris (almost everyone in the village knows of a brother or uncle or grandson or wife's brother or some other relation who is in France!) so I'm looking forward to meeting new people over there, and seeing old faces too.

Before that I am planning on having an evening event here in Tillington to update people on my journey so far and future ideas for work. It's on 7 January at 7pm at Tillington Village Hall. All of you are really welcome. If you are able to come it would be great if you can let me know (if you haven't done so already) so that we have some idea of numbers.

Much love to you all,

Hannah

A little reminder...

2010-12-23T06:13:00.000-08:00

Hello dear All,

A little reminder that we are together for our “Christmas” family meal on WEDNESDAY 29^th December at the United Reformed Church. We’re meeting at 6 pm, to enable families to come, and will keep food simple and easy (post-Christmas!).

So – the plan is to have jacket potatoes, various fillings, salads and puds. Naomi and I will provide jacket potatoes, baked beans and cheese. We’re looking for offers for:

Various fillings (i.e. chilli, curry, or whatever…)
A couple of mixed green salads
Several puddings
Bevvies – wine, lemonade, juice etc.

I realise it’s probably all mad for you this week – but would appreciate it very much if you could let me know what you’re able to contribute.

Also –

Kev and Jan will be with us post Christmas for a while, and Kev will be sharing with us on Sunday 9^th Jan, our first gathering for 2011. Also, we’re planning a joint homechurch group/Source the following Tuesday, 11^th Jan, where Kev’s also going to help us chat round our thoughts and bring some perspectives he’s been thinking through, following Naomi’s excellent “Discussion starter document” . We’ll meet at Keyfox on that Tuesday.

Please do pop these dates in your diary!

Blessings and peace for Christmas!

Sue

Andy doing well...

2010-12-23T06:10:00.000-08:00

Dear Family & Friends,

Thank you so much for your messages by e-mail and text. It’s been so good to read them after my day at the hospital. Knowing so many people are praying has been invaluable.

Andy is making good progress. He is now on the coronary care ward and being very well cared for. He is doing short walks (with monitors, drips, etc.)and getting stronger every day.

It’s planned that he will be home here for Christmas, providing his heart rhythm can be stabilized. Apparently this is not an uncommon occurrence after emergency surgery.

Today he has seemed much more his normal self and is being very patient.

The different system has been a little confusing at times. We are a bit of a novelty, being English and the people who came on holiday and spent a week in the hospital! They love our “cute” accents and Andy is getting used to being called “honey” and “sweetie”

It’s good to be with Russell & Angie and the girls. I have had transport and meals provided and regular entertainment mainly in the form of ballet shows!

We have some anxiety about Andy being home and away from the hospital but we have been given plenty of information. We have our own large room with sofa etc. a little separate from the other bedrooms so will be very suitable. There’s also a long corridor for exercise!

Hope you all have a very good Christmas

With love

Brenda

Prayers needed

2010-12-21T06:28:00.000-08:00

Please pray for Andy and Brenda Taylor. Having faithfully served the Lord in Pulborough for so many years, they are in the process of moving away from the area to Ipswich, but are currently in the States spending Christmas and New Year with their son, Russell and his family. We’ve just received news that Andy has had a heart attack and has undergone surgery, initially intended to be just fitting a stent, but they discovered he actually required a quadruple bypass operation.

Your prayers are much appreciated.

Don't forget...

2010-12-18T08:37:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder that we are meeting with the United Reformed Church tomorrow - 10:30 at thier place! There'll be fun, carols, prayers and Christmas munchies! Hope to see you there!

In the mean time have a look at this to get you in the Christmas spirit...

Dalesdown Christmas Holiday Camp...

2010-12-01T14:56:00.000-08:00

We’re very excited to be able to write and tell you about a special one-day Christmas Holiday Club/Camp being run up at Dalesdown in the week before Christmas.

This is a particularly important event because Splash and Children Worldwide are working together to share expertise and, in particular, to encourage more local children (and their families) to come up to Dalesdown for the day and experience what’s on offer through the camps and activities there. We’re hoping that many of these children will come back next summer and take part in the week-long Christian summer camps which Children Worldwide run in August.

The December holiday “camp” is for children in school years 3-6 – please pray as the publicity goes into schools that many new children come and that we are able to make good links with their parents and families.

If you would be interested in helping on the team for the day, we still have some places left – contact us for more information. Or if you know of any children who might want to come, then please pass the flyer on.

Please also pray for a safe and successful event which brings alive, in a very special way, the real meaning of Christmas for all of the children who attend.

Thank you for all of your on-going support and encouragement for all of the work of Splash!

Blessings from all of the team

Caroline

Splash! for Schools & Communities

c/o Trinity Methodist Church

Thakeham Road

Storrington

West Sussex

RH20 3NG

Tel: 01903 744821

Splash is a Christian charity working with children, young people and families at the heart of the local community.

Web: www.splashschools.org.uk

UK Reg Charity No: 1106290

Links

Helpers Card

Holiday Club Flyer

Latest YAK..

2010-11-30T10:02:00.000-08:00

The latest Yak is now online in the 'links' section on the right hand side.

Lovely! :-)

Discussion starter

2010-11-15T23:06:00.000-08:00

Some thoughts and questions about the way we meet as a church

At our recent monthly team meetings (John, Sue, Bob, Annie, Rich, Bev, Kate Crawley, Naomi and Jonny) the discussion has often flowed in the direction of the nature of our small group meetings, including Source and Front Room groups.

We felt it was a good time to prompt a wider discussion of how we gather and encourage each other in smaller, more intimate settings and how this also relates to our involvement in our communities, workplaces, homes and other spheres of life.

We felt during our discussions that the two are closely related, not only because we can find the vital support we need in smaller groups to be Jesus to our non-believing friends, but also that we are constantly challenged by the nature of evangelism and essentially how we draw people to a place of following Jesus.

So, there are several discussion starters that we would like to “put out there”.

Click here for Naomi's 'discussion starter' document.

Events...

2010-10-24T06:52:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who contributed to our discussions this morning. Hopefully they inspired and encouraged. John's notes are now available under "Links" and the recording can also be downloaded.

As was annouced this morning Family Foundations Trust are having a prayer day click here to see the flyer with full details.

Also john mentioned...

AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT YOUR CONCERNS - CHRISTIAN OR OTHERWISE - TO YOUR LOCAL MP. At the Leconfield Hall in the centre of Petworth (Market Square)

Nick Herbert , the new Member of Parliament responsible for Petworth within the Arundel Constituency, has been invited by PACT ( Petworth Area Churches Together) to address the Annual Autumn Lecture on Friday 29th October at 7.30pm. Nick is currently Minister of State for Policing and Criminal Justice at the Home Office.

SUBJECT: HOW THE COMMUNITY CAN HELP IN THE BIG SOCIETY

ALL ARE WELCOME - ENTRANCE FREE - NO BOOKING NECESSARY.

A GLASS OF WINE & LIGHT REFRESHMENTS SERVED AFTERWARDS.

Any enquiries to Gerald Gresham Cooke The Old Post House Tillington GU28 9AF, 01798 342151

Kaleidoscope Opening Event

2010-09-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

A huge thank you to everyone who made the opening event of the new Kaleidoscope building a great success. Thank you especially to everyone who contributed to the food and everyone who gave to our special offering on Sunday. This has enabled Kaleidoscope to not only cover our shortfall but also to buy a shed and plasma welcome screen which were extras we thought we would not be able to afford. Half way through the project we were given the opportunity to utilise a piece of land formally used by the horticultural society. This took us over budget as it incurred further planning, legal, fencing and landscaping costs. However, it has given us a wonderful outside space and thanks to your generous giving has been paid for in full.

So, once again thank you for all the prayers, practical help, sharing of expertise and finances in order to see our community blessed.

You can look back over how the project came together at http://kaleidoscopebuild.blogspot.com

Update...

2010-09-20T15:32:00.000-07:00

Dear all, please see the Links section on the right hand side and you should find the latest YAK, a standing order form and a gift aid declaration.

let me know if there are problems

Jonny :-)

Sunday BBQ

2010-08-11T12:11:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that we’re meeting on Sunday 22^nd for a social/barbeque at Keyfox Farm, Balls Cross Road .

Time: 11.30 am to 2 pm (ish)

Bring:

Meat etc for the barbeque – please include a little extra as we’re giving hospitality to some members of Eric Roadnight’s family too…
EITHER a salad/savoury dish OR a pud PLEASE contact Caroline so we can balance out amounts of savoury/sweet!
Something cold to drink
A chair (or rug) to sit on! Maybe an umbrella/gazebo if it’s blazing hot….!

Coffee/tea/squash provided, and some bread rolls.

Danny & Caroline have games, so hopefully (weather permitting) there’ll be time for bouncing around before and after the barbeque.

Please drive into the second entrance beyond the house and park in the yard.

Have we forgotten anything? Let Caroline/Danny know – or if you have suggestions.

Blessings,

Caroline and Danny

From Hannah...

2010-08-05T14:57:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone,

Just a quick message as I unpack from a week's cycling holiday (where Kate beat me up all the hills!) and get ready to leave for France again (hoping I can remember how to speak French having been waffling away in English for a good few weeks now!). For the month of August I will be volunteering on a YWAM base in the Champagne region of France, then I'll be back to Paris for a couple more months' of French study from September.

My address for August will be: Hannah Sneller, Jeunesse en Mission, 15 rue du Nozin, 51210 Le Gault-Soigny, France

I've recently sent out a newsletter which goes into more detail about what I am up to – if anyone hasn't already seen a copy and would like one then email me and I'll send it on. Thanks again to you all for your amazing gifts – especially for the offering taken on my behalf back in June – and support and prayers as I continue this time of learning French and exploring what God has for me in the future.

Love Hannah

This Sunday...

2010-08-04T13:19:00.000-07:00

My Psalm

2010-08-01T11:31:00.000-07:00

God I’m angry, frustrated and I can feel it growing
The tension, the stress and uncertainty of all this not knowing
What the future holds; and doesn’t look pretty
So will you act soon, have you heard are you ready

Why is it that the bankers, politicians and business men
Who caused this might mess we’re in are livin’ it up again
It feels like I’m out there working with the needy
While others who don’t give a toss pass the buck neatly

So what am I to do Lord, will you come rescue me?
Will you make the path smooth, will you show them you’re mighty
I do know you can do it Lord, I know you have a plan that’s good
I know that I don’t need to be worrying about my family’s food

So I will stand strong with both feet planted
On the rock of ages, with a peaceful heart granted
These storms may come along and try to tip me up
But to you Lord they’re no more than a swell in a tea cup

You’re the rock I stand on, not money or position
So I come before you now with humble contrition
You’re the God of everything and your praises I’ll shout
And know that my little problems are nothing for you to sort out

Our thoughts on the Psalms

2010-07-31T15:18:00.000-07:00

Having meditated and mused on a Psalm or two we all turned up to our gathering on 25th July and contributed the following.

* God meets us where we’re at and takes us somewhere better...
* I must sing a new song - or dry up and bust!
* When things press in... How majestic is your name...! Psalm 8
* When I kept thing to myself I felt weak deep inside me.....   The Lord says
* I will make you wise and show you where to go. I will guide you and watch over you... Psalm 32
* Dear God, thank you for creating us and thank you for all the wonderful things we have. Amen
* Each week, each day, each second, every day, give me Grace to embrace the pace.
* “I will bless the lord at all times”.... on the good days and on the bad days, in the happy times and in the painful, sad times “I will bless the Lord!”
* Psalm 34. I will boast only in the Lord... Taste and see that the Lord is good
* He breaths light and colour into who we truly are
* You take care for the Land
* You crown the Year with your bounty
* The grasslands, the hills, the meadows, the valleys.
* They shout for Joy and Sing! From Psalm 65
* Clothed with gladness - blessing! - Overflow - covered with flocks - mantled with grain - abundance!
* He is always there. He will never leave me or forsake me.
* God meets us where we’re at and takes us somewhere better....
* You’re always near (song)
.... ever present in time of need     Psalm 46
.... even there your hand will guide me Psalm 139
* Psalm 139. He knows me. Completely.
* Everything about me. He knows me.
* He know my limits, He knows me
* He is with me. He is everywhere.
* He is in all things.
* He is involved at the beginning of our lives and he is involved at the end.
* He knows us.
* Show me your ways O Lord, Teach me your paths;
* Guide me in the truth and teach me,
* For you are God my saviour, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25: 4-5
* What a mixed bag - Joy and Pain!
* The enemy will try - a very good try - to steel our Joy, BUT MY GOD IS THE STRONGEST.
* Psalm 46 - Be still and know that I am God
* Psalm 77 - You strode right through the ocean ... nobody saw you come or go.
* Psalm 145   - He does what is best for those who him - hears them call and saves them.
* I lift you up high in praise, MY God, O my king!
* God is magnificent... no boundaries to his greatness.....
* I compose songs on your greatness; I compose songs on your wonders
* God gives a hand to those down on their luck ... gives a fresh start to those ready to quit !
* God of reality - in the joy and the pain
* When the going gets tough, the tough get going........ To God!

Don't forget...

2010-07-22T15:00:00.000-07:00

Ahead of our time together this Sunday it would be great if you could have a look at the list below and choose a topic which is apprpoiatte to a sitution you are in currently. Then choose a Psalm to use as a meditation. When you've spent some time with God looking at your chosen Psalm try to write down any thoughts, feelings or phrases which arise from this and bring them along next time we meet when we will use them as a basis for our worship.

Click on the image for a larger view.

Home work!

2010-07-11T15:16:00.000-07:00

As discussed during our time toegther this morning... have a look at the list below and choose a topic which is apprpoiatte to sitution you are in currently. Then choose a Psalm to use as a meditation. When you've spend some time with God looking at your chosen Psalm try to write down any thoughts, feelings or phrases which arise from this and bring them along next time we meet when we will use them as a basis for our worship.

Click on the image for a larger view.

This morning we were blessed by the visit of Malc Garda. Malc talked about the need to put our hope in God alone even through tough times and the need for intamacy as a spring board for all that we do. He spoke about how a section of Psalm 73 had inspired him. Have a read...

²¹ Then I realized that my heart was bitter,
      and I was all torn up inside.
²² I was so foolish and ignorant—
      I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.
²³ Yet I still belong to you;
      you hold my right hand.
²⁴ You guide me with your counsel,
      leading me to a glorious destiny.
²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but you?
      I desire you more than anything on earth.
²⁶ My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
      but God remains the strength of my heart;
      he is mine forever.

Sustenance...

2010-06-21T15:06:00.000-07:00

You may or may not be aware of Podcasts. They are basically recordings usually issued daily, weekly or monthly which can be downloaded and listened to.

Recently stumbled across the podcast from a church in the states. I downloaded all the available talks a had a listen. If you're someone who finds an American voice annoying then stay with it there's some great stuff. Click here and to visit the site which explains how to 'subsribe' or just download.

Sunday 13th...

2010-06-12T05:55:00.000-07:00

The United Reformed Church was packed from wall to wall for Joan's Funeral. Many a happy memory was shared and poignant thought expressed as we remembered our wonderful friend.

This Sunday we gather again and will be looking at Psalm 86. 11-13 with John, Rich and Bob. We meet at the usual place with tea and coffee from 10am. During the morning we will be taking a special offering for Hannah to help support her continuing work in The Gambia/Paris with the S people.

After our gathering we will be enjoying a 'bring 'n' share' lunch together and sharing news and info about church goings on in our usual 'chat & chew' style church meeting.

Sad News...

2010-05-19T14:30:00.000-07:00

The sudden and unexpected death of Joan Roadnight last Saturday has left a huge gap in our church community. We rejoice with her that she is with her Lord whom she loved so dearly but she will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Eric, James and Helen and Lorraine and Ram, and also with her wider family and the many people in our local community who will all miss her. Joan has been an inspiration to us all and was ready to ‘step into the next room’ to be with Jesus as she lived her life in such close communion with him. We are the richer for having shared in some of her journey.

Joan’s funeral will be on Friday 28^th, 2.00 pm at the United Reformed Church.

The Psalms

2010-05-17T15:00:00.000-07:00

This seasons we are looking at the Psalms. Beautiful, honest and inspiring among other things, these 150 poems and songs could keep us occupied for years! Instead we are taking time during our Sunday meetings until the summer to study this book. We will be leaving it up to the speaker and overseer to choose which Psalm/s we look at and how we explore them together.

Notes from Annie's introductory talk are in the Links section and you are invited to delve into the Psalms yourselves, perhaps re-visiting an old favourite or discovering new things and maybe sharing what you find when we meet or on the Blog.

Here are some links to help you

Click here for Psalms in simple English and some notes

Click here for the Psalms in more fancy language!

Click here to have the Psalms read to you... in English too!

2010-05-12T15:12:00.001-07:00

In true Petworth Community Church style, the younger generation were well represented at the weekend away. From our own little granddaughter Esme-Rose, to the fast growing Oli, children were a large part of the weekend. And the highlight of this was helping Callum celebrate his 10th birthday with that wonderful cake !

The theme of the weekend was about equipping the saints; we looked at ‘church’ - it’s organic nature, how to ensure that it is sustainable and future proof. We explored the ministries that Paul discusses in Ephesians 4 and began to indentify and confirm our own, and each others, ministries and gifts - recognising that these aren’t fixed and boundaried, but changing depending on our particular situations and activities - based around our changing life callings. They are meant to be operating both within the church when it is gathered and in ‘church in the community’.

As we prayed for Nigel and Emma in their particular calling in parenting Esme-Rose, my mind went back 30 years to when the then PCF met in the Red Cross Centre, and I used to look after Nigel each Sunday morning in the kitchen. It struck me that what we were praying about was ‘reproduction’ - ensuring that the past and present is re-birthed into the future. But Esme-Rose is not a clone of Nigel - she is the result of the coming together of Emma and Nigel - producing something new and unique.

And that is why the ministries and gifts are given - to ensure that church is continually re-birthed into the future through the equipping of the saints. Not a replica of now, but an organism ‘fit for purpose’ for the demands of tomorrow.

Over the last year Ruth and I have become proud grandparents of Molly and Esme-Rose, but we have also enjoyed welcoming Hannah’s son Theo (Nick’s girlfriend), and Carla’s Elijah. During the weekend, I found myself instinctively ‘looking after’ the various children who were there - regardless of whether they ‘belonged’ to me. Looking after other peoples’ babies is part of the privilege of belonging to the church family. It is not only baby-sitting when requested - it is about praying for, and nurturing, the families and the children. (No I am not offering a babysitting service !)

There are of course other babies that we are called to look after - the particular ‘babies’ we each carry in the form of ministries and gifting. We need to be nurturing each others’ calling - giving them space to be and exercise their gifts, supporting and encouraging them as they go out into the community as church - representing the risen Lord Jesus, and taking Kingdom values into the various situations we face.

So what’s your ‘baby’ ? And whose ‘baby’ can you nurture ?

Tony April 2010

PCC @ Dalesdown 2010 - Notes from Sessions

2010-04-19T11:10:00.000-07:00

What a great weekend... weather, people, food, scenary, presence of God, comfortable surroundings and some great dialogue in exploring... Equipping the Saints!

All the notes from the sessions are in the Links section, so if you missed a session or were unable to be there, you can catch up on some of what went on.

Rob and Cath Whillier were such a blessing to us all and brought an objective and wise view to all we were working through together. And Karlene, Meri, Sarah and Annalie were superb. The children loved them!

Thanks to everyone who contributed food, helped with the meals, participated in worship, and helped in the amazingly efficient clear up process on Sunday afternoon. Cheers everbody!

Spring forward!

2010-03-27T10:11:00.000-07:00

Don't forget everyone... the clocks go forward by one hour tonight! See you at 10:30!

NB No 'Chat & Chew' meeting as previously annouced.

Update time...

2010-03-08T14:51:00.000-08:00

Hi all. Linda has been working away and the latest edition of YAK is out. There also a booking form for our fab weekend away coming up on April 16th-18th. Both are available in the 'Links' section on the right.

Friday 5th Feb...

2010-02-05T03:34:00.000-08:00

We are gathering at the United Reformed Church in Petworth at 6:00pm tonight for our 'Chip, Chat, Chew'

We'll be enjoying a meal together curtesy of our local chippy as well as chatting over some church business and catching up on the news! See you there!

Click here for the agenda

Prayer for Christian Unity

2010-02-01T14:11:00.000-08:00

Some of us attended the service for Christian Unity at St Mary's last Sunday. This prayer was part of that service and we felt worth sharing.

'Take us from where we are to where you want us to be; make us not merely guardians of a heritage but living signs of your coming kingdom; fire us with passion for justice and peace between all people; fill us with that faith, hope and love which embody the gospel; and through the power of the holy spirit make us one, that the world may believe, that your name may be enthroned in our nation, that your church may more effectivey be your body, we commit ourselves to love you, serve you and follow you as pilgrims not strangers.'

Prayer for Haiti

2010-01-26T12:06:00.000-08:00

Lord, I just want to say THANK YOU,

Because this morning I woke up and knew where my children were.

Because this morning my home was still standing,
Because this morning I am not crying
Because my spouse, my child, my brother or sister, my parent does not need to be buried
or to be pulled out from underneath a pile of concrete,
Because this morning I was able to drink a glass of water,
Because this morning I was able to turn on the light,
Because this morning I was able to take a shower, Because this morning I was not planning a funeral

But most of all I thank you this morning because I still have life and a voice to cry out for the people of Haiti .
Lord I cry out to you, the One that makes the impossible, possible,

The One that turns darkness into light, I cry out that You give those mothers strength,

That You give them peace that surpasses all understanding,
That You may open the streets so that help can come, That You may provide doctors, nurses, food, water, and all that they need in a blink of an eye,

For all those that have lost family members, give them peace, give them hope, give them courage to continue to go on!

Protect the children and shield them with your power.

I pray all this in the name of Jesus.

Chip, Chat & Chew!

2010-01-17T12:02:00.000-08:00

Hi All

Last Sunday we said that we'd postpone the Chat & Chew that was booked for Sunday 24th Jan because of the Prayer service at St Mary's at 3 o'clock also on that day.

And it's always tricky getting another Sunday that isn't already booked up so instead we're going to do Chat & Chew on Friday 5th Feb at 6pm at the URC.....with chips! Children all invited so that we can include them and also not worry about babysitter availability.

So please would you let me know whether you'll be able to come and what you would like to order from the Tasty Plaice.

And also please pass this onto anyone else involved in PCC who isn't on the email.

Have a god-blessed week!

Kate.

YAK...

2010-01-10T11:12:00.000-08:00

Linda has been hard at work on the latest issue of YAK. As usual it's available in the 'Links' section on the right and is packed with the usual brilliant blend of information , prayer pointers and dates. Look out for information on our Church weekend away in April and updates from Eric & Ele, Ruth and Hannah.

Spring Sunday Themes

2010-01-06T14:38:00.000-08:00

For your info, preparation and study...

Our Sundays gathering this season will be based around the theme 'Convictions of Steel'. This is taken from a passage in 1 Thessalonians taken from The Message. As with our last series 'Feast & Famine' there will be a degree of freedom for each morning to look at the same subject from different angles.

You can find the passage in the 'links' section titled Spring Sunday Theme highlighted to suggest some different themes within the passage.

Happy new year from Hannah

2010-01-06T08:20:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

After a flying visit to Petworth over Christmas (made even shorter by my plane back from Gambia being delayed by a day!) I'm just getting ready to leave again . . . on Sunday (3 January) I'll be catching the Eurostar to Paris where I will start French studies at a Christian language school. I plan to be there for six months initially, with the option of staying for up to a year.

Why Paris? For a while it's been a personal goal of mine to learn French. This would be useful if I was to get involved in further translation work in Gambia – because it is surrounded by French-speaking countries and also because knowing another language would be helpful. It is also a way of taking some time away from being in Gambia having been there on and off for over eight years now, and I plan to use the time to seek God's guidance for the future.

Thanks to all of you PCCers for your love and support in the journey. I'm looking forward to seeing more of you as Paris is a lot closer than Gambia so it'll be easier to pop back and say hello – and I'm sure I'll see a few friendly visitors out there as well?!

Lots of love, and happy new year to you all . . .
Hannah

Christmas Celebration

2009-12-13T01:23:00.000-08:00

Here are details of our Christmas celebration with our friends at the United Reformed Church. Please feel free to copy and print the above to use as an invite to your friends and family.

From Sunday

2009-11-24T14:27:00.000-08:00

Thank you all for your prayers on Sunday. We were reminded again of what a fantastic church family we are part of. You may remember Hannah's poetic contribution which she promised to email. Well sure enough here it is...

I came across this poem by a Quaker poet which has really spoken to me of the importance of living in the here and now - whether it is a time of feast or famine - looking for the goodness of God in every situation:

No longer forward nor behind,
I look in hope or fear;
But grateful, take the good I find,
The best of now and here.
— John Greenleaf Whittier

Jonny

Update

2009-11-09T14:35:00.001-08:00

As promised the latest YAK is now available in the 'Links' section on the right. As usual Linda has worked hard to stuff it full with all of the latest need to know dates and details. Unfortunatly on it's way the the World Wide Web the formatting suffers a little but all the info is still there.

Jonny

2009-10-26T07:09:00.000-07:00

Evolve

A youth club for 10 – 13 year olds held at the Sylvia Beaufoy Centre on Tuesday evenings.

Following on from what was said at chat’n’chew, may I remind you that as a matter of urgency, you pray that we will receive new staff members for the coming months. Ruth is going into hospital in December, and Emma will be going on maternity leave after Christmas, so we will need at least one female staff member.

Evolve is open from 7.00pm to 8.30pm for the young people, but set up is 6.30pm and pack away is usually finished about 9.00pm.

Please pray into this and let one of us know if you feel God is speaking to you about working with Evolve. The Evolve team are: Simon Jones, Nigel Sneller and Emma Sneller and of course me.

Regards,

Ruth Sneller

Chat & Chew...

2009-10-23T12:50:00.000-07:00

or is that Chat 'n' Chew? Who knows. Whatever you want to call it it's happening this Sunday (25th). We'll have our usual morning together then a bring and share (or is that bring 'n' share) lunch while we chat about Church business and share what's going on.

We're taking the somewhat risky decision not to coordinate what everyone brings so just bring what you can to share. See you there!

2009-10-09T10:37:00.000-07:00

A reminder of Sunday's prayer event in the heart of the South Downs area.

Wiston Estate Prayer Event - Sunday 11th October

Dear Friends,

This is a reminder of the important prayer event happening this Sunday 11th October 7.30-9pm at St Mary's Church, Wiston Estate for churches across the region, which will be of particular interest to those with a passion for prayer, mission and justice.

Peter Stanley, formerly Director of Stop The Traffik, now advisor for 24-7 Prayer and the government on human trafficking will be speaking at Wiston Church on Prayer & Social Justice. This will be a chance to hear about God's concern for justice issues such as people trafficking and a great opportunity for us to engage practically and unite in prayer.

We will pray into the important international role of Wiston House and Wilton Park (host to many UN conferences) plus get behind the anti-trafficking initiative START FREEDOM in prayer, which launches at the United Nations in New York in just a few days time.

From 9pm we will be praying through the night in hour shifts. If you are able to sign-up for a prayer slot between 9pm-7am please contact Katie asap: tobyandkatiemason@gmail.com You are welcome to pop in anytime through the night but the remaining prayer slots are: 11-12pm, 1-2am, 2-3am, 3-4am and 4-5am. It would be great to fill these before we gather together on Sunday.

Access to Wiston Church is from the A283 between the Washington Roundabout on the A24 and Steyning. Follow the signs for Wiston House. As you approach Wiston House and Church, you will need to press the button at the security gate to gain access. Please note, there are no toilet facilities at the church. Also, so you are aware in advance, we will be taking up an offering on the evening for Stop The Traffik.

Please can we ask you to spread the word and highlight this in your church notice sheets and services this Sunday morning � thank you.

We look forward to seeing those of you that can join us.

Wiston House Of Prayer

Harvest and other matters...

2009-10-05T14:43:00.000-07:00

September has given us a little extra summer but now the nights are drawing in and the weather is turning. It's not all bad though. There's Harvest festival, bonfire night, Petworth Fair and of course Noah's Birthday!

This year we have been invited to join the United Reformed Church in celebrating harvest. They have also invited us to join them for lunch. If you are able to come and perhaps can contribute in some way then please call Maureen on 343102.

Last Sunday we were blessed by what Eunice shared at the beginning of the morning and also by what Meg had prepared for us on "Where is god in my Famine"... part of our series on Feasting and Famine. Meg has kindly written up her notes which you can read by clicking here. You can also listen to Meg's talk by selecting it in the "Latest recordings of teaching" list. It will be available until Thursday 22nd October.

Meg also read something by Creath Davis which insightfully shone a spotlight on the differences between acceptance and resignation. Again you can read this by clicking here

Gerald Gresham Cooke from Tillington has been asked by PACT ( Petworth Area Churches Together) to organise a

Walk Thru The Bible event for the Spring of 2010 .

April 20th & MAY 22^nd 2010

He says....

This is to ask you to 'Save the Dates' in your next year diaries:-

Tues April 20 (eve):

TASTER SESSION in Petworth with Cliff Keeys (Founder & Director for 21 years in the UK )

Sat May 22 (day):

NEW TESTAMENT SEMINAR .

For more info of Walk Thru The Bible - please see http://www.bible.org.uk/

In 2005 Petworth hosted a similar event with 41 attending an Old Testament teaching day. This time we are running a New Testament day on the major events in the life of Jesus and the Apostles as well as the geography of the Holy Land . The course also explains the 400 Silent Years & why there are four Gospels. There is no role play, & no volunteers are asked to come to the front.

The Taster is an amusing hour with Cliff Keeys, showing how interesting & informative a day can be.

Over 80,000 in this country have enjoyed the course, and over two million world wide. From Biblical Scholars to beginners - all will appreciate it. In fact, I learnt more in a day's seminar about the bible than I had in 30 years of sermons (don't tell my Vicar !).

Further details will follow, but besides saving the dates, please begin to 'gossip' it around our churches & congregations now.

Regards

Gerald

Together Article John Riddell

2009-09-23T09:13:00.001-07:00

Sussex Farmer and Member of the Sussex Church Leaders Group, tells the story of his

COMMITMENT TO THE LAND

Rural people have always been connected to the land in a way that urban people never have. Land was their home, their source of livelihood, their faith and the basis of their security, centred on the home, the church and the local. Today neither the rural people nor the land are what they were a couple of generations ago.

All my working life I was a tenant farmer up to the end of the last century but then, what with the devastating effects of BSE, Foot and Mouth and an increasingly detrimental globalised world market, agriculture no longer provided a living. Like many others the temptation to surrender my tenancy was well nigh irresistible but God clearly spoke to me through several quite independent sources to ‘remain connected to the land’.

At first I thought this meant keeping in contact with those who continued to be involved with the land, which helped but was not enough. Diversification projects and other non-agricultural activities were fine as a way of securing an income and the development of a simple, informal cooperative with other local farmers facing the same problems was a step in the right direction but the nagging thought of being ‘connected to the land’ would not go away.

I needed to do some hard thinking on what it meant and embarking on some theological study opened my mind to new possibilities as I developed my own theology of the land.

I learned how the phrase echoed the Old Testament prophets, but what did they mean by it? Did the Bible offer a sound theology for agriculture? My search for answers reminded me that God created the heavens and the earth that his creation is good and that we human beings are part of it and have some responsibility for it. But then, as a farmer in North West Sussex, I looked at what we and are forbears had done to it. I saw the damage caused by neglect, bad stewardship and agronomic practices, injustice and the displacement of people.

This surely was never what God intended but it did help to explain what Paul meant when he talked about healing and bringing wholeness not only to persons but to the entire created order (Col 1: 19-20). I discovered a gospel which went far beyond personal forgiveness to the transformation of whole communities (2 Cor 5:17). I understood how God’s kingdom cried out not only for a renewed relationship with the Creator, but also for renewed harmony and justice between all peoples and the entire created world order (Isaiah 55:12). This must be what scholars meant when they talked about cosmic redemption. Redemption of the whole created order of which land was a crucial part.

It calls for a transformation from ownership and control by the few to the many, if people who have been divorced from their heritage to the land are to be reconnected with it and saved from an enforced dependence on a supermarket shelf.

The theory was fine. But what was I to do? I went to see my landlord, a peer of the realm. I told him what I had been doing. I shared with him my dreams and hopes and at once he picked up on the idea of a cooperative model for land management. He too wanted to connect more effectively with his tenants and the local community and he insisted that we develop this together without delay. After a couple of meetings in which we discussed these proposals, he wrote personally to members of the local community inviting them to form a Cooperative Forum, to meet quarterly to look at issues relating to the stewardship of the land, just and Godly principles for the land, the people of the land and the local community.

Thus was born the Petworth Stewardship Forum consisting of representatives from the local farm tenants, the estate land agent, the Chairs of the Parish Council, the Community Association, Churches Together, the local Historical Society and a representative of the National Trust.

We have a Mission Statement (‘Working together for the land and its people, towards a just and ethical practice’) and for the last three years have been working to develop relationships between landlord, tenants and the local community, ‘joined-up thinking’ in stewarding the land and local resources, diversification projects which serve the local community, opportunities for people to access land for growing their own food linking local markets with local growers, and appropriate access to, and informed awareness of the countryside.

Progress has not been as swift as we would have wished but the Petworth Stewardship Forum with people from across the spectrum of community life and influence actually sitting around the same table exchanging news and ideas for the benefit of the town and surrounding villages in itself has had enormous value in the community. Projects include Farm Walks, Countryside Days for Schools and (our latest project) linking schools and farms within the local community, with farmers visiting schools and schools visiting farms.

Concerns on our agenda have included the intimidation of the Petworth Park Wall and residual perceptions and attitudes in the community to the Land Enclosures Act and Commoners’ rights, education on modern farming practices, food production, and the country code, and a Community Land Connection, whereby plots of land could be made available, under small business tenancies enabling people to grow produce which could be marketed in a visitor centre/shop or farmers market.

John Riddell

These boots were made for...

2009-09-15T13:27:00.000-07:00

ROTHER VALLEY PRAYER WALK

2^ND – 4^TH OCTOBER 2009

This is an open invitation to anyone who is interested in joining Dave Carter in prayer walking either part of, or the entire length of the Rother Valley.

Friday 2^nd October: 9 a.m to 1.30 p.m

A circular walk of approx. 12 miles, tracing the source of the Rother.

Liss -> Hawkley -> Empshott -> Greatham -> Liss

Saturday 3rd October: 9 a.m. to 1.30 p.m

Petersfield -> Rogate -> Trotton -> Stedham -> Midhurst. Approx 10 miles

Sunday 4^th October: 9 a.m. to 1.30 p.m

Midhurst -> Petworth -> Fittleworth -> Pulborough

Where the Rother joins the Arun. Approx 12 miles

Email d.carter2@btconnect.com for more details

Bits & bobs...

2009-09-14T14:40:00.000-07:00

Our most recent get together last Sunday at which we shared breakfast, was both enjoyable and thought provoking. Naomi's talk is now available as a download under 'PCC Talks' (top right). Naomi kicked off our new theme 'Feast & Famine' talking communion in the context of the meal that it was shared in and the need for us to share meals together as church.

Also...

Dalesdown have issued their latest news letter which you can see here

Also...

The Poem ' The guest House' which appeared in the last issue of YAK has got lots of people thinking. John Crocombe emailed me his thoughts which you can view by clicking here.

'Held by love'

2009-08-17T12:53:00.000-07:00

Joan's reflections following our morning looking at Zacchaeus;

I would like to share this with you.

I have been reflecting on the story of Zacchaeus, how Jesus saw him and called out to him and spent time with him at his house.
A few years ago God spoke to me through this story and reminded me of a time in my life when I was a child. I had climbed up a tree and got stuck. Stuck with fear. I could not move. I called out and my brother came to my rescue. He climbed up the tree and when he reached me, put his hands on mine, and my feet on his and gently inch by inch he guided me safely down.
In this same way Jesus rescued me. Gradually and gently, bit by bit he guided me through a process of healing, healing my fears, my pride, the issues that clouded my view of him and his of me.
As I reflect I can see his amazing redemptive work through my journey with him. In each letting go I found love, forgiveness, acceptance. In each letting go I found release, purpose and a wonderful sense of belonging to his family. I discovered a God who is always there through difficulty or ease, who teaches and corrects, affirming his love. A God who I can call father.
Jesus' victory over death meant that he came down from his 'tree' into to new life. In the same way Jesus wants this for us, not to be stuck in our old ways but to be turned around and in turn show others the same way.

Autumn plans...

2009-08-15T03:02:00.000-07:00

I know it's a little depressing to be thinking of Autumn and Christmas before August is out but as I'm away on my summer hols for the next two weeks, I thought I'd get some info to you regarding our Autumn Sunday plans. In the 'links' section you can view a document called 'PCC Autumn Sundays' which contains an outline of the theme "Feast and Famine", the thoughts behind it and the practicalities of who's doing what.

The table at the bottom of the document is a first draft so apology's if you're down for something that you've not been asked to do!

Happy rest of your summer! Jonny

More to download

2009-07-26T13:26:00.001-07:00

Hi all, as promised you'll find a recording of Richards talk on Zacchaeus under 'PCC talks' and his notes (apology's for the formatting) in the 'Links' section further down. Don't forget the recordings of our Sunday morning talks are only available for 2 weeks and then by request to John R only.

We will be meeting over the summer months to plan our themes and programme for
September through to Christmas. If you can contribute in anyway or have some thoughts on our by-weekly gatherings then do get in touch.

Ta ta for now!

God's concern for the poor

2009-07-25T09:59:00.000-07:00

Our good friend Paul Sanderson recently spoke at Wiston House during a prayer evening. He shared his thoughts on God's concern for the poor. You can listen to this by clicking on the link on right hand side entitled Paul Sanderson - God's heart for the poor.

“The Guest House” etc

2009-07-02T15:12:00.000-07:00

Hi all, you'll see that Sue's 'Mary Magdalene' talk is available for download. Also Sue's notes are on the available under the 'links section also on the right.

Now this, also from Sue...

You may have noticed a poem called “The Guest House” in the latest YAK, which I (Sue R) put in. After a chat with someone who’d read it, and saw it from a different perspective, I thought others might be interested in the context of the poem and why I hoped it might be helpful. Any other comments welcome!

I came across the poem “The Guest House” when on a course for Spiritual Directors in London , in a session on the “Dark Night of the Soul” and depression. It was written by a 13^th Century Sufi mystic, Jellaluddin Rumi. I found its language of openness and realism refreshing – from the perspective of facing whatever comes our way – the “praise in all circumstances” way, rather than trying to ignore, or run away from the “hard” stuff which can enable us to grow. As it says in James 1:2 (The Message)

^“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colours. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”

Other comments welcome!

Blessings,

Sue

to view the poem click here

The Privilege of Prayer by Billy Graham... via Bob!

2009-06-16T14:01:00.000-07:00

I got home from work tonight to find a brown re-used envelope on the door mat. A re-used envelope? It must be uncle Bob! Inside was a response to my request on Sunday for blog items other than dates & info. With it a note that read ' Sorry I couldn't email it to you but these words from Billy Graham on prauer have helped me...' They are indeed really helpful and inspiring so read on...

The Privilege of prayer

Ask and you will receive,
that your joy may be full
John 16:24

What a Privilege is ours: the Privilege of Prayer! Just think of it: You and I have the incredible Privilege of approaching the God of the Universe, "the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy" (Isa 57:15) We can only do this because Jesus Christ has opened the way.

We are to pray in times of adversity, lest we become faithless and unbelieving.

We are to pray in times of prosperity, lest we become boastful and proud.

We are to pray in times of danger, lest we become fearful and doubting.

We are to pray in times of security, lest we become self-sufficient.

Pray believing, in the promise of God's Word that "if we ask anything according to His will. He hears us" (1 John 5:14).

Thanks Bob. Great Stuff.

Our Day Away at Dalesdown next Sunday, 21st June.

2009-06-14T14:04:00.000-07:00

Hi all, Our Church day at Dalesdown away edges ever closer. Here’s a provisional outline of the day…

10.00 Welcome [Kate?] and a couple of songs with the children [Rich]

10.30 Children leave, we break out the coffee and biscuits and welcome Billy & Caroline Kennedy

11.15 Input from Chris Seaton

12.00 Worship (through song!) [led by Rich and Jonny]

12.30 Lunch and discuss chat & chew agenda [overseen by Kate who has the list of chatters?]

13.30 Break/Family time
14.30 Map our journeys [led by Naomi?]
15.30 Close up [led by Kate?] & clear up [all hands to the pump]
16.00 Go home

Also... as per usual you can download and listen to the latest talk from our Sunday meetings by clicking on the link on the right hand side of this page.

Chat & Chew

2009-06-12T02:31:00.000-07:00

Hello dear All

Just clearing up a slight confusion about our next “Chat ‘n Chew”! There was a possibility to have it following our meeting this Sunday (14^th); but it seems more practical to fit in a special Ch ‘n Ch slot at our Day Away together at Dalesdown the following Sunday, 21^st June.

Re the Day Away, Pat has kindly agreed to coordinate contributions for our lunch together at Dalesdown . So please be aware you’ll probably be asked to bring something – spuds, fillings, salad, pud, drinks etc – whatever’s needed. If we all chip in it’ll be simple.

Blessings,

Sue

Latest News...

2009-06-01T02:31:00.000-07:00

Due to the success of our first 'Curry-Source' evening we will be having another one! 'Yippee' or even 'yummy' I hear you cry! The date for this is Thursday 2nd of July at the Meghdoot's.

Those of you with a keen eye for the calendar will have also spotted that this Thursday is a Source night too as it is the first Thursday of June (yes it's June already! Where did May go?). So the plan for this Thursday is to meet at the Cricket Lodge entrance to Petworth Park at 7:30 and take a stroll together, weather permitting.

Oops!

2009-05-28T23:32:00.000-07:00

Apology's to those 'followers' who receive email updates from the Blog. You would have received a blog entry mistakenly posted here instead of my personal blog - www.jonandnaomiwelch.blogspot.com with me waffling on about children and half term. Not exactly critical church news!

To make up for this error here's a funny rap/poem to make you laugh - which is of course critical church news!

Any thoughts...

2009-05-28T14:06:00.000-07:00

The Big Church Day Out has come and gone. The weather was great, Delirious were great and the traffic jams... well anyway I hope you all enjoyed the day. It would be interesting to hear your thoughts and read your comments regarding the event. As a church we have stepped away from our church life being all about meetings and this was the mother of all meetings! So why do we meet, do we need giant gatherings and what was your 'best bit' of the Big Church Day Out?

BCDO

2009-05-22T14:55:00.000-07:00

Everyone's looking forward to the Big Church Day Out! Thousands are booked in and the weather's looking good too. Annie has kindly put together some information about the days events. Click here to view. See you there!

Help!

2009-05-13T15:22:00.001-07:00

We've been encouraged to keep a written record to document our life's 'journey' over the next few months as our Sunday morning teaching is also looking at the journey's of some who encountered Jesus.

So, does anyone actually keep a journal or diary? I have to confess I'm struggling to get in to a rhythm so what's the secret? What do you write, when & do you ever go back to what you've written. Or maybe you think they're naval gazing and a waste of time.

According to Ron Klug...

'A journal is also a tool for self-discovery, an aid to concentration, a mirror for the soul, a place to generate and capture ideas, a safety valve for the emotions, a training ground for the writer, and a good friend and confidant.'

I'm not quite there yet but I'll keep working on it. This article was helpful

Reach for your diary/PDA/calendar!

2009-05-08T13:22:00.000-07:00

* YAK for May and June has arrived. click on the text in the 'links' box to open a copy.

* You can also take a sneak peak at the plans for our Sunday get-togethers until July by clicking on 'PCC Summer Sundays'

* Also you can look at Johns notes from his talk on Peter by clicking on 'Peter's Journey With Jesus'

* Finally some info from John R that didn't quite make it into this edition...

Hi PCCers

A reminder for this Sunday…

After Sunday’s Gathering…we are invited to celebrate and remember the life of Naomi’s Dad, David Etheridge, with a picnic in Petworth Park overlooking the Downs .

Whilst the Thursday Front Room Group is sychronised with YAK, it appears that both the Tuesday FR Groups have somehow got out of synch and are meeting on 5th & 19th May and 2nd, 16th and 30th June.

Joining us for our Day Away at Dalesdown, planned for Sunday 21st June, will be Chris Seaton, one of our trusty friends and adviser and also Billy & Caroline Kennedy who will be reviewing developments in Pioneer http://www.pioneer.org.uk in the context of the way Jesus is currently leading His church in this generation and at this time and what that might mean for us. Do please schedule this into your plans for June.

Also, I’ll be sending out info about the Dalesdown Gala Dinner (Friday 19th June), Fun Day (Saturday 20th 1pm-4pm) and Cricket Match (from 11am). I’ll be asking on Sunday if you might like to play for the Dalesdown 11 in the cricket and whether you might be willing to oversee one of the Fun Day activities for an hour.

The 24/7 Prayer taking place 17th-23rd May at Wiston, preceding the Big Church Day Out on 24th May, is being launched at a gathering in the Church at 7:30pm on Sunday 17th May. PCC are covering the 9 hours from midnight on Monday 18th to 9am on Tuesday 19th. Do sign up for an hour or two of this or any other time slot. I’ll have a sign-up sheet with me this Sunday.

There is then a BCDO Ascension Day prayer evening at Wiston at 7:30pm on Thursday 21st May .

A team will also be serving the local community on Saturday 23rd May, the day before BCDO, in Washington, Wiston and Steyning from 9.30-12.30 along the same lines as HOPE 08. Dan Sneller is involved in the planning for this and will lead the Steyning area team which is great! A team of about 30 is needed (10 in each location). A packed lunch picnic all together in Wiston Park from 12.30-1pm will be followed by providing help to Tim Jupp and the BCDO team with any last minute help they might need on that Saturday afternoon for those that can stay around. To sign up for a prayer slot or serving local communities on 23rd May, please email: tobyandkatiemason@gmail.com

John C has successfully undergone his course of radiotherapy some weeks ago and is feeling better as time goes by, but still suffers with a skin irritation which has developed.

Gwen has yet to decide whether or not she will undergo a course of chemotherapy to treat a carcinoma in the area of her lungs.

There’s also a typo regarding the weekly Liaise clinic which takes place at the Petworth Children & Family Centre (next to the Primary School)

Also… in case you haven’t realised, when you get an email from someone called “R Obrien”, please do open it cos it will, in actual fact, be some headline news from, Linda, our PCC YAK editor. I think she’s aiming to sort it soon! Thanks Linda for this month’s YAK rendition.

Right on our door step!

2009-04-15T12:34:00.001-07:00

Have a peek at this video with info on a HUGE event talking place at Wiston House on May 24th

Blog Update

2009-04-09T13:34:00.000-07:00

After a few teething problems with our 'downloadable' talks we will now be putting one talk at a a time on the blog to download (see the top of the right hand column). This will be the most recent and will be available until replaced by the next.

If you would like to see the list of talks available by request then click on the link on the right or email me at welchs@btinternet.com stating which of these you would like to listen to. I will then send you a link that should open on your computer for you to listen to. If you would prefer a CD please make this clear in your email.

Sounds great!

More on the Big Day...

2009-04-09T12:38:00.001-07:00

The Big Church Day Out doesn't just describe the host of passionate worship leaders, excellent bands and the fun all will be having on May 24th this Spring. It also does a pretty good job of describing the make-up of all those people who are going to be turning up too. Young and old, urban and rural,and every other branch of the family besides... we'll all be there; the Church celebrating together the faith that's bigger than any one of us.

If you want tickets then get in touch with John for some half price bargains!

It is the intension of the organisers that this events is soaked in prayer. If you would like to support this then take not of the following dates:

Easter Monday 13th April 7.30-9pm @ Wiston Church: Launch of 40 days of prayer
An evening to start our 40 days of prayer together and an opportunity to hear more about this and key areas to pray into for Wiston Estate and TheBigChurchDayOut.
Phil Togwell 24-7 Prayer UK Team Leader will be speaking.

Sunday 17th May 7.30-9pm Launch of week of 24-7Prayer @ Wiston Church
For church communities across Sussex to unite in prayer ahead of BigChurchDayOut.

Thursday 21st May 7.30-9pm Ascension Day Prayer Evening @ Wiston Church
A time to mark the end of our 40 days, pray for TheBigChurchDayOut and hear about how to get involved in making a difference in the communities surrounding Wiston House 22-23rd May.

House keeping

2009-03-08T14:09:00.000-07:00

Hey people. The following notices were in YAK but here's Jonny with a quick reminder...

* This months hosting team for Sundays is Linda & Simon's
* The Blog calendar is up to date - try clicking on the events.
* Church weekend away at Dalesdown booked for April 16th & 17th 2010!
* Pat & John C needs our prayers as he is beginning 5 weeks of radiotherapy at Portsmouth.
* Gwen is also suffering and needs our prayers as the doctors seek the best drug regime for her.
* Please also remember the Kev & Jan during their year in England and Soni, Brian & Beryl's daughter in-law as she makes her way to England.
* Contributions for the next YAK to Linda by 26th April - lin07@btinternet.com

Food for thought

2009-02-18T12:34:00.000-08:00

Every week or so we get a lovely box full of delicious vegetables left on our door step courtesy of 'Riverford'. In amongst the usual parsnips and carrots is newsletter which this week had the following article. The musings of Guy Watson are always interesting but this one caught my eye so I thought I'd share it with you. Let me know your thoughts...

As our chancellor tries, with ever increasing desperation, to jolt us into renewed spending there is a growing revolt against playing our ant-like parts as consumers in keeping the machine rolling. We have woken up; the hypnotic spell of manic greed and envy, followed by dizzy credit-fuelled consumption has been broken. We can do without a lot that stuff.

Amongst the all-pervading gloom of the lst few months I gain some cheer from the number of people who seem to be questionning the assumptions and values that have got us to this point; namely that we must consume more to be happy. These are not hippies, rebels or revolutionaries; just people who have had enough of slaving to keep. I have a suspicion (and a hope) that we will now see many people slow down, savour what they have and take control of their lives. whether it is by making your own jam or compost, by growing your own veg or brewing your own beer, by mending it rather than replacing it, it is all about taking control and not being passive consumers.

See you all on Sunday! TTFN

Listen to this...

2009-02-10T15:13:00.000-08:00

You can now download recent teaching from our Sunday morning meetings. Just scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to the section called 'download PCC talks' and click on a link to download the audio files. You'll need broadband as the files are quire large. Enjoy!

It's going to be big!

2009-02-04T13:07:00.000-08:00

You may have heard folk talk already about an event coming up called The Big Church Day Out happening just a stones throw from us at Wiston House on May 24th. It's looking like it will be one not to miss.

You can read all the blurb and book tickets at www.bigchurchdayout.co.uk but the basic lowdown is lots of music, lots of people, lots of fun! See you there then!

Goodbye - from Naomi

2009-02-03T10:08:00.000-08:00

Dear friends and family,

I am writing to you to give you the news that Dad went to be with his best friend, Jesus on Saturday morning at 9.30. Mum, her Sister, Violet and I were with him, holding his hands and telling him we loved him.

As you may know, Dad had been diagnosed with prostate cancer 7 years ago and until recently had been doing all the things he loved, including seeing 5 grandchildren born. This last week he enjoyed three trips to "see the sea" with Mum and had spent time with all the family.

Dad and Mum requested that there be no funeral. Instead we will be celebrating and remembering his life with a picnic overlooking the Downs sometime in May or June. We will let you know the details as we know them.

In the meantime, thank you all for your love, support and prayers for me and my family and for my precious Dad.

Kind regards

Naomi

Yummy people!

2009-01-25T12:23:00.000-08:00

Every now and again the things that are so easily taken for granted are brought to 0ur attention and we remember why we love them so much. It's easy to take each other for granted but today John & Pat cooked some yummy food for us all and I was reminded what a fantastic bunch of people make up our church family.

Acts 4:32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.

Update

2009-01-20T15:57:00.000-08:00

Here's me with a quick update. Not one of those annoying ones that slows your computer down mind, just a note to say that the calendar is brought up to date and there are two more links to click on. One is a link to my notes for perusal at your leisure and the other a link to the latest YAK packed to bursting with dates, info and some words from Reuben.

If you have any dates, links or anything that maybe of interest please pass them my way. ;-)

2009!

2009-01-08T03:32:00.000-08:00

Happy new year one and all!

Firstly a huge thank you to Linda for organising our '12th night meal' and to everyone who cooked or helped in some way. It was great to get together again after the Christmas hols and chat about the coming year.

We our next together on Sunday 11th at the usual place and time. Check the calendar below for more details. We also have a wider team meeting tonight at the Hoe's.

Until next time...

Silent night?

2008-12-24T12:55:00.000-08:00

"... her waters break. Crisis! "No vacancy" signs in every B&B window. Decision. Mary has a "home birth" in a livestock shed. She wraps strips of cloth around the baby and uses an animal feeding trough as a cot...

Noisy night, chaotic night.
All is alarm, all is fright.
Rounded virgin now mother to child.
Wholly infant so Other, so wild.
Awake at an unearthly hour. (x2)"

From' The Liberator' by the late (and great!) Rob Lacey

May God bless you loads this Christmas! Jonny

News and messages

2008-12-21T11:28:00.000-08:00

We thank and give praise to Father God for John C's speedy recovery from heart surgery.

Please pray for Sue as she travels to New Zealand at the end of the month to visit family - We send with her all our love and good wishes. Pray also for John, Meg and Ruth back here in the UK

Linda would like contributions for the Jan/Feb edition of 'YAK'. Please email her.

Finally Jonny would like any photos of PCC events old and recent emailed to him. Thanks!