Welcome to the website for St James-without-the-priory-gate, Southwick and St Nicholas, Boarhunt

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We all hope and pray that 2021 will bring with it new health, happiness, peace and prosperity and that there will be good progress in our war against the virus, enabling us to live new lives. That’s an interesting thought – that we will have NEW lives, different lives – not just our OLD life and ways back. I think that one of the blessings and learnings from the pandemic is that our priorities will have changed

In the meantime, several churches in our deanery have taken the decision not to open for public worship for the foreseeable future as a result of an increasing number of positive tests in their villages.  No cause at all for alarm in this, just a wise precaution, both to give re-assurance to their local communities and to avoid reputational risk.  

St James and St Nicholas Church es will similarly close for public worship in order to protect the most vulnerable and avoid spread of the virus. I will record a short devotion for each Sunday and stream to view on our website and Facebook

This responds appropriately to the Bishop od Portsmouth’s advice in the pre-Christmas mailing that, although opening churches for public worship is permissible, there may be local circumstances which, after due consideration, require a temporary suspension.

St James’ Church will be open 11am – 12 noon on Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and from 3-4pm on Thursdays

Please do be in touch with one another and with me, particularly if you or anyone you become aware of feels isolated, is ill, or would value some personal contact or care.

In the meantime I send you all good wishes for the New Year, together with my hopes and prayers that 2021 will herald a turning point for the better in our individual, community, national and global lives.

Your affectionate friend and Chaplain,

SImon

Fireside reflection with Poppy the rabbit

Church of England online Sunday Service - How God is revealed through Jesus

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   The church is open for private prayer at:

   11-12noon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays,

   3-4pm on Thursdays

   and at other times by arrangement.

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Avoiding isolation  At the onset of the crisis Jim Watson, chair of the Parish Council, invited a handful of people from the community to meet together (socially distanced) to discuss a coordinated plan to care for people as the need arose. A special careline was set up, volunteer CRB checked responders were identified and several hundred leaflets delivered explaining that people could telephone the careline on 07534 770164, should they need help with shopping, prescriptions, other practical matters, or just to chat if they were feeling isolated. There have been relatively few requests or calls, but the line remains live, should anyone have need to call it