Latest news from the Parish of Goring by Sea.
11th. February 2021
Parish Office. Email: [email protected] Tel: 01903 709163
We doubt that any of us thought that when we adapted our Lenten activities and preparations for Easter this time last year, due to the first national lockdown, that we would still be adapting to restrictions a year later. However we begin this Lent well prepared to adapt to this solemn and sacred time and our commitments to Fast, Give, Prepare and Pray. We pray particularly that we may be able to worship together safely in church at Eastertide.
Lent Course – please do join us.
It’s not too late to register for our Lent Course, which starts the week of the 22nd February and runs for 5 weeks. We will be using The Sheffield Diocese Lights for Christ course. The course will be delivered via Zoom and there will be a choice of daytime and evening sessions. Please email Fr. Keith ([email protected]) to register for this course, stating a first and second preference where possible:
<span style="font-size: 1rem;">Monday Evening at 07.30pm.</span>
Tuesday Morning at 10.30am.
Wednesday Evening at 7.30pm
The Animal’s Easter – for the young and the young at heart!
Fr. Neill is recording 8 storytime sessions for the younger members of our church family (and probably some of the older ones too!). Each of them is a story through the eyes of animals that reflect the build up to Easter. They will be released at 8am every Sunday morning so perfect for younger ones who have woken up early! The first one goes live on Sunday 14th Feb (St. Valentines Day!) then every Sunday up to and including Easter Day on Sunday 4th April.
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw5jepUmsHC92KlSfh3Cabt1I-HmRmf0I
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/StMaryAndStLaurenceGoringBySea
Ash Wednesday – This Wednesday the 17th. February.
A special and simple family Eucharist including Ashing at 7.30 pm.
This service will be a beautiful time of fellowship via Zoom. It will include the opportunity to ash yourself and members of your household. You can provide your own ashes (usually made from burning your last palm crosses). However if you would prefer we will deliver a small pack of ashes to your home.
https://zoom.us/j/93253106176?pwd=R2RGT0crZWdLTjRNSURTN2ZDeUR6UT09
Meeting ID: 932 5310 6176 Passcode: 428959
If you would like ashes delivered to your home please e-mail, text or telephone Gill Keevill direct [email protected] or 07715120841, giving name, number in your household, address and post code. By Monday 15th February 2021
Other services online this week
10.00am Sunday. 14th February. Said Eucharist. Sunday next before Lent from St Mary’s Church
10.00am Wednesday. 17th. February. Morning Prayer will be said via Zoom
https://zoom.us/j/95526428233?pwd=Y3BVNmUxOGRvWGQxeDYxdS9XckV3QT09
Meeting ID: 955 2642 8233 Password: 386017
08.00pm Tuesday 16th and Friday 19th February Compline / Night Prayer
Services are streamed on Facebook unless otherwise stated: https://www.facebook.com/StMaryAndStLaurenceGoringBySea/
Coffee Time. Thursdays at 10.00am via Zoom
https://zoom.us/j/94955900058?pwd=a2thdklUeUxpSG9TTHZtSWpWS09zUT09
Meeting ID: 949 5590 0058 Passcode: 847352
Parish Prayers. This Saturday 13th February at 9.00am
The Nurture Committee has organised to restart Parish Prayers. This is an opportunity to join in fellowship to pray for our church family, our local community and the wider worldwide community.
These will be held monthly on Zoom and begin this Saturday.
https://zoom.us/j/93312661210?pwd=VFBGMDNyZUd2WUU2TFc0by9BVUsrQT09
Meeting ID: 933 1266 1210 Passcode: 688430
Prayer Circles
There are also people who will pray regularly about any concerns you may have, for you, your family or friends, and will keep all requests confidential among themselves. To request such prayers please telephone either Sylvia on 01903 529743 or Barbara on 01903 240613.
Mission giving and focus in 2021.
In addition to continuing to support our on-going mission partners Sharon Wilcox (CMS) in Ecuador and Bishop Dimba and his team (CRM) in Malawi we have determined to repeat last year’s pattern of having a quarterly focus on our other selected organisations in 2021. We hope to run events, when restrictions allow, and have additional fund raising opportunities throughout the year. Our parish also supports Christian Aid and the Children’s Society. The calendar of focus is given below:
2020
Quarterly<span style="font-size: 1rem;"> focus</span>Lead for partnership and event
Jan-Mar
Beachy Head Chaplaincy
A search and rescue charity that seeks to save lives at Beachy Head, East Sussex
Fr Neill
Apr-June
Family Support Work
Helping families in Sussex to overcome their difficulties and prevent crisis, supporting families struggling with issues such as poverty, ill health, learning difficulties, bereavement, family break-up and domestic abuse.
https://www.familysupportwork.org/
Alison
July-Sept
Turning Tides
A community led homelessness organisation (formerly Worthing Churches Homeless Projects) with the mission to end homelessness.
https://www.turning-tides.org.uk/
Ruth
Oct-Dec
Embrace the Middle East
Transforming lives and communities in the Middle East by the compassion of Christ.
Fr. Keith
In next week’s newsletter there will be more information about The Beachy Head Chaplaincy and how you might wish to use all or some of your Lenten giving to this charity.
What do you plan to do this Lent?
We hope this week’s newsletter will help in your personal preparations. If you have any particular thoughts or ideas to share please send them to us via the Parish Office.
Please let Fr. Keith, Fr. Neill or the Wardens know if you have a personal or pastoral concern or may know of someone in need.
May God Bless you and give you peace,
Fr. Keith, Fr. Neill, Gill, Janice, Ruth and Geoff