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Shalom, Salam, Peace

The picture you see was taken in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jerusalem. The tree you can just see at the top is an Olive Tree that is over 2000 years old. That tree was in the garden during Jesus’ time. Did he sit beneath it? Who knows. Did he pick its fruit? Who knows. The point is, as with so many of the amazing, awe-filled, challenging places in the land we call Holy, the trees, and rocks, and even the earth, of the Garden of Gethsemane have provided focus, reflection, a place of peace and a place of faith for almost 2 millennia to people of many races, many languages, many faiths.

But the land we call Holy isn’t just Israel, it is also Palestine and Jordon. It encompasses the people who say Shalom and also the people who say Salam, and both peoples also say Peace! Let peace reign, let peace fill our hearts and our minds, let our hands hold Bibles and Korans, not guns and bombs, let our children exchange Lego cards, not insults.

As we look towards Remembrance Sunday, Armistice Day, as we reflect on 100 years since the end of the War to end all Wars, and 73 years since the end of the World War that followed, it would be easy to think that peace is no closer than it was then. There is still bloodshed, there is still hatred, there is still fear, but there is also still hope.

It was a privilege to walk, tentatively, unworthily, in the footsteps of Jesus. It was a challenge to hear the words of love and peace that He spoke read out standing beside a refugee camp in Bethlehem, the place of his birth. It was a joy to hear the refugees say, the wall you hate has brought us hope, because it has brought Muslim and Jew, Palestinian and Israeli together.

Paul said in his letter to the Galatians, ‘There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus’.

As we meet in churches and in parks, stand by cenotaphs and beacons, let us pray that as we look to the future, we can take those words to heart, not seeing the colour of skin, nor accent, nor gender, nor faith, but simply that we are all created equal in the sight of the one true God.
Revd. Sarah Manouch

Collect
Almighty Father, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of all: govern the hearts and minds of those in authority, and bring the families of the nations, divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin, to be subject to his just and gentle rule; who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen

We continue to pray for:
Clemmie, Michael Palmer, Charlotte Megenney, Guy Solan, Sylvia Stear and Kris Tippen

And those who have recently died and their loved ones:
Peter McDonald, Hilda Finnamore, Murray Fox and Beryl Cleaver

If you know of anyone who needs our prayers or would appreciate a visit, please let the Rector or the Parish Administrator know.

Should you wish to contact the Rector his mobile number is 07538 011579.

Services for this weekend
8.00 BCP Holy Communion at West Wittering

At the main service at Birdham (9.30am) Eric Eyre’s sermon theme will be “When the Call Comes”.  At West Wittering (9.30) there will be no sermon and at 10.50 during the Act of Remembrance Bruce Holben will be preaching.  At Itchenor (9.50) Ben Harvey’s sermon theme will be “The WORD is mightier than the sword”.

There is no Evensong at West Wittering this Sunday

Remembrance Day Services
West Wittering
9.30 Parish Eucharist followed by at 10.50 Act of Remembrance
6.50 Ring out the Bells

Birdham
9.30 Parish Communion followed by Act of Remembrance

Itchenor
10.50 Act of Remembrance followed by Village Communion

The Ministry Team are only too happy to talk through aspects of their Sermon.

Sunday 11^th November
Remembrance Sunday
Morning
Jonah 3. 1-5, 10; Hebrews 9. 24-28; Mark 1. 14-20
BCP
Colossians 1. 3-12; Matthew 9. 18-26
Evensong
No Evensong

Sunday 18^th November
Second Sunday before Advent
Trinity 25
Morning
Daniel 12. 1-3; Hebrews 10. 11-14 (15-18) 19-25; Mark 13. 1-8
BCP
Romans 13. 1-7; Matthew 8. 23-34
Evensong
Daniel 3; Matthew 13. 24-30, 36-43

West Wittering
9.30 Parish Eucharist followed by at 10.50 Act of Remembrance
6.50 Ring out the Bells

Birdham
9.30 Parish Communion followed by Act of Remembrance

Itchenor
10.50 Act of Remembrance followed by Village Communion

With St James Church adorned with Poppies we are ready for our Poppies on Parade Concert this Saturday at 3pm.

Unfortunately all the tickets have now gone for the event but please feel free to come along to the church at any other time until the 23^rd November to experience the “story” we have aimed to achieve. The photos in the church are personal to at least one person in the benefice which gives them a very poignant part addition to the displays.

Help us to remember all who gave their lives for us and their families as well as all those who were fortunate enough to return to their families but never felt able to tell their stories of life at War.

We will be making a collection in the church and all donations will be shared between The British Legion and Help for Heroes.

Thanks to everyone for their love and support in helping to create such a beautiful display.

We will remember them……….

Sunday 11 November 2018 – Remembrance Sunday – Armistice Day

A hundred years ago the guns fell silent at the end of World War One.  On this special anniversary please join us at The Church of St Peter and St Paul:

• At 1050 for our traditional Service of Remembrance with Civic Wreath Laying at the War Memorial in our Parish Church.

• At 1850 for “Ring Out For Peace” a celebratory ringing of church bells marking the hope we share for lasting Peace with poetry readings and lighting of candles. Please join us for refreshments in the church as we listen to the bells.

In keeping with other national commemorations we would like to extend our remembrance to any of your loved ones who lost their lives in the service of their country, wherever they lived at the time.  If you would like someone to be included please email any details you have to  al.rymer@hotmail.com or pass details to the Parish Office before 7 November 2018.  Thank you.

A service of hymns and reflections in thanksgiving for the blessing we have to live by the sea.
Sunday 18th November 6pm – 6.45pm
The Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul 
All Welcome

St James Church and Centre
Saturday 17th November
10.00am-4.00pm

There will be a Family Photographer to take your Christmas photographs. Available between 10am and 1pm in our Buttress room. We are still appealing for cakes and raffle prizes. Our Christmas raffle will be launched and there is also a raffle on the day.

We would like to welcome you to your new St James Centre from 10 am to 4pm this Saturday.

I’m the Church Room piano.  My name is Bartolomeo, after the inventor of the modern piano, but my friends call me Bart. I am of good character – an upright piano – and I was made by Burling and Mansfield of London.  Now I’m looking for new adventures. 

West Wittering church has been given a keyboard and so the church piano has moved to the Church Room.  There wasn’t really room for the two of us there and in any case, just between ourselves, I’m feeling the need for a change.  OK, I’ve been tuned regularly and I’ve enjoyed parties and loved being part of Hymns ’n’ Everything.  But it’s time to move on. 

So if you’re interested in giving me a home, please contact my personal secretary, Stella, on 01243 673470 or email stella.pendleton252@hotmail.co.uk.  She says I’m so lovable it’s impossible to put a price on me, so I’m free!!  Stella will be able to arrange free local delivery to you from my temporary accommodation.