All our latest news

Collect
Risen Christ, faithful shepherd of your Father’s sheep: teach us to hear your voice and to follow your command, that all your people may be gathered into one flock, to the glory of God the Father.

We continue to pray for:
Clemmie, Janet & David Drake, Peter Barnett, Snowdrop, Joyce Mark Symons and Brian O’Brien

And those who have recently died and their loved ones:
Michael Thresher and Peter Covell

Baptisms
We add the following to our prayers as they are welcomed into the Church Family at their baptism on Sunday:
Rupert Marvin during the Family Service at Birdham
Isabella Brignall during the Children’s Service at West Wittering
Lola McCarthy at 12.30 at West Wittering and Tabitha Strange at 1.00 at St Nicholas, Itchenor

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 HC at West Wittering and Birdham

At the main service at Birdham (9.30am) Alistair Ghinn’s sermon theme will be ‘The Name of the LORD is a Strong Tower’.  At West Wittering (9.30) Sarah Manouch’s sermon theme will be “No. It’s Dragons at the Pet Service Please” and at 11.00 Jonathan Swindells sermon theme will be “Scattering the Sheep”.  At Itchenor (11.00) Ben Harvey’s sermon theme will be The Peace of Christ –The Good Shepherd”.

4.00 St George’s Day Pet Service at West Wittering
No Evensong

Due to the installation of a new sound system at West Wittering there will be no 10.00 Holy Communion this Wednesday 25th April and no “Be Still” on Thursday 26th.

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

Sunday 22^nd April – Easter 4
Morning
Acts 4. 5-12; 1 John 3. 16-24; John 10. 11-18
BCP
1 Peter 2. 11-17; John 16. 16-22
No Evensong

29^th April – Easter 5
Morning
Acts 8. 26-40; 1 John 4. 7-21; John 15. 1-8
BCP
James 1. 17-21; John 16. 5-15
Evensong
Isaiah 60. 1-14; Revelations 16. 9-16

Pets who keep a sharp eye on their diaries won’t need reminding that our St George’s Pet Service will be on Sunday, April 22^nd at 4pm.  It will be held in West Wittering Church but pets and humans from far and wide are welcome.  The photo shows regular attendee, Dave, arriving for a previous service with Churchwarden Jeanette from St James’, Birdham.

The collection will go to support the work of Canine Partners, a charity that transforms the lives of people with physical disabilities by partnering them with specially trained assistance dogs.

Dogs, please make sure your humans keep you on your leads, cats please come in your baskets.  Cuddly toys welcome as always.  Everyone come ready to lift the roof off the church with your joyful singing, woofing or whatever! See you there!

Saturday 28th April 3-4pm St James Church, Birdham
An hour of playful praise, playful blessing and Godly Play!
For young families in the love of Jesus
Yummy Tea and Cakes too…..

At the Annual Parish Church Meeting on 26^th April elections for new members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) will take place. The PCC is the governing body of the church and, with the clergy, has responsibility for the overall life of the church. The PCC meets four or five times a year. There are currently vacancies for lay representatives on the PCC of Birdham and Itchenor, so if you are a church member and would like this rewarding opportunity to serve your church and community, please speak to the Rector jonathanswindellsrector@gmail.com or the PCC secretary, Lois Smith loissmith1859@gmail.com

The Church Electoral Rolls have to be updated for the Annual Parish Council Meetings (APCM).   The West Wittering APCM will be held at the Memorial Hall on Sunday 29^th April at 11.45 am, and the Birdham with Itchenor APCM will be held at the Itchenor Memorial Hall on Thursday 26^th April at 7.30 pm.  Existing church roll members will continue to be on the roll and need take no further action.  New members, who wish to join, should complete an Application Form.  Forms will be available in church or from the Electoral Roll Officers.

Hilary Byrne, Officer for West Wittering (Tel: 671168)

Meryl Mead-Briggs, Officer for Birdham with Itchenor (Tel: 511092)

Wellsprings 2

+ Faith Refreshed +

Meeting every other Wednesday 8-9pm

Relaxed but real conversations on life, meaning and faith

 Meet at The Lamb Inn Wednesday 2^nd May

Details: Jonathan 07538011579

Save the date for Saturday 26th May 12-4.30
Itchenor Village Fet

Weeks away you say but this event to raise money for Itchenor Memorial Hall and St Nicholas Church cannot run without your help.  Bake us a cake or bring us a bottle or how about spring cleaning your garage for the White Elephant and Boat Jumble.

Here are the details of who to contact if you can help or donate:

White Elephant – Susie Green 512221
Clothes – Jane Oundjian 512757
Boat Jumble – Tom Trevelyan 511038
Books/Plants  – Janie & Alistair Impey
Bottles & Cakes – Clare & Chris Blevins 514279
Anything & Raffle Tickets – Philip Edwards 512157