What is Deanery Synod?Is a church committee set up by every diocese in the Church of England to meet and discuss matters of the day concerning the church, such as Safeguarding, Modern Slavery, Welfare & Work, Sexuality, and Fabric (buildings), Finance and Governance. The synod consists of ordained and lay members, who have been selected to represent them from their parish church and PCC (Parochial Church Council). Our Storrington Deanery covers the parishes of Pulborough, Amberley/Wildbrooks/Parham, Storrington, West Chiltington, Sullington/Thakeham/Warminghurst, Chanctonbury Churches, 3B's Churches Upper Beeding, and Steyning.Further information from the Diocese of Chichester What is the Storrington Deanery Synod looking for?Storrington Deanery needs a volunteer to be Deanery Synod Secretary. The work adds up to about 20-25 hours per year. The tasks include:· Helping the Rural Dean and Standing Committee prepare for Synod meetings; sending out agendas and relevant paperwork· Attending Standing Committee and Synod meetings and taking minutes (3 times per year each)· Agreeing and distributing minutes· Maintaining the database of Deanery Synod representatives· Completing the annual return to the diocese· Occasional extra administrative tasks Any member of the congregation of any church in the Deanery may volunteer for this. All the work apart from attending meetings can be done from home. Excellent administrative skills and IT skills are essential. You will make a very valuable contribution to bringing churches in the Deanery together. You’ll meet committed people from other churches, gain insight into how the Church of England operates, and we hope you’ll grow in faith. An honorarium may be payable. If you’re interested please contact Fr Paul Seaman (Rural Dean) pulbpccrector@btinternet.com or Brian Hanson (Lay Chair) brianhanson39@hotmail.com
The churchwardens, Christine and Michael, are pleased to announce that the Diocese of Chichester has appointed Revd Jonathan Swindalls as Rector of Storrington. We look forward to welcoming him to the parish in the New Year.Here is a message from Jonathan:Jane, my wife and I, are looking forward very much to living and serving in Storrington.We have been blessed with twelve good years here in West Wittering. We have seen the church family grow in number and spirit as well as seeing our three older children (a teacher, a musician and a nurse) fly the nest and bless us with a gorgeous granddaughter Ellie ’Bean’. Our youngest daughter is finishing her final year at Leeds University (my old University) reading Religion, Politics and Sociology.We will miss our much loved walks here by the beautiful coast with Brynn and BeeBee, our Bedlington Terriers. However, we know there will be many more wonderful walks from Storrington and more pubs too… We do need to find some cold water for Jane to swim in – her happy place.Jane will also appreciate having her daily commute cut by two hours. She is based in Horsham with the West Sussex Music Trust as the Primary Curriculum Manager advising, training and supporting the music in Primary Schools across West Sussex. I was privileged to train for the priesthood at The College of the Resurrection, Mirfield, having previously been a secondary school teacher and senior leader. I served my Curacy at Sherborne Abbey with its long tradition of liturgical and choral excellence and civic service. I moved to a busy, cosmopolitan and youthful church in central Hove before being called to serve the Benefice of West Wittering and Birdham with Itchenor – now known as Harbour Churches. I have a passion for realising the fullness of life we have in Christ in the communities I serve. As a Spiritual Director, I appreciate the value of contemplative spirituality, both personally and for the wider church. Above all, I am convinced that the Parish Church can have a meaningful and impactful missional life within the communities we are called to serve and will grow in growing God’s Kingdom.My happy places are, in no particular order; fly fishing by a Lakeland river, having a pint in the local and possibly a curry, listening to Bach (the Master), playing cricket for the village team, poetry, Hillfield Friary SSF, having all the family gathered around the dinner table and eating buttery new potatoes that I have managed to grow…Please do be assured of my prayers over the coming weeks.Yours in ChristJonathan PS Don’t worry too much where I am on ‘the candle’ – what matters is ‘the Light’.
SPACE - Somewhere for People to make Art or Crafts and Escape from home for a couple of hours!Come and meet with others to work on some craft or art piece. Bring something of your own or work on something different.All are welcome to come along.
