WEEKLY NOTICES FOR SATURDAY 5 SEPTEMBER

Upcoming Services

See ‘Online Worship Resources’ below for the usual links to Sunday’s Bible readings.

The reader at tomorrow’s 9:30am Sung Eucharist is Yvonne Bamforth and the intercessions will be led by Vivien Coates. The gospel will be read by Fr Ray. Instead of a sermon, on the second anniversary of his appointment as our Families and Children’s Worker (as highlighted in our September magazine), Fiona Aiton will interview Gary Pickett. We will welcome the choir back to church on return from their annual holiday.

Lunchtime Concert Today

At 1pm in church today you can enjoy a programme of English music featuring the song cycle ‘On Wenlock Edge’ by Ralph Vaughan Williams. John Twitchen, tenor; Helen Ridout, piano; and the Florentine String Quartet. Tickets £15 on the door – cash or card.

Click here (and scroll down) for details.

Red Bucket Appeal

Christian Aid have launched an appeal to help to raise funds following the massive recent flash floods on the Nepal-Tibet border on 26 August. The funds raised will support their partner agencies working to reach families in Nepal with shelter, food and medical care. For more details of the appeal itself and a prayer for all affected by the disaster, click here for the relevant page on the Christian Aid website. Our red bucket appeal will run over the next three Sundays (including tomorrow).

Reflections Tomorrow

The theme of tomorrow’s informal and quiet service of music, prayer and reflection for the first Sunday of the month is ‘Come, Holy Spirit, Come’. These services run for between 40 and 45 minutes. You are welcome to join us at this short and informal time of watching and listening.

September Magazine

The new church magazine can be read online here. Printed copies will available from the back of church from tomorrow and, in due course, from the other usual distribution points in town, including the Post Office.

Annual Ride & Stride for Historic Churches

The annual sponsored Ride and Stride will be up and running once again next Saturday, 12 September. This event raises money for our parish every year, with all donations split evenly between our building fund and the Sussex Historic Churches Trust – a charity that has made many grants to our church including for the work about to take place on our tower.

You can either walk, run, ride a bike (or horse!) – or why not follow a longer trail by car if you wish? – visiting as few or many local parish churches as you wish on the day – or sponsor someone else. Sponsor forms are available at the back of church, or speak to John Downe (01903 814007).

FOR YOUR DIARIES

On Wednesday morning, 23 September (between 10 and midday) we are holding another ‘Proper Preparation for Death’ event in the Penfold Hall – see the Pastoral Care section (page 11) of the new magazine for more information.

As announced in the September magazine, we will be keeping Sunday, 20 September as Education Sunday with a special Music Group Eucharist in the Primary School rather than in church. This will begin at 10am and there will be no 9:30am service in church that morning. See

Steyning Bookshop is holding two events in our church this autumn, featuring two local authors with national reputations:

• Wednesday, 16 September, with Kate Mosse
• Monday, 19 October, with Peter James

These events will begin at 7:30pm. See the posters in the church porch, or visit the bookshop at 104 High Street for more information (and tickets).

And Saturday, 3 October (3pm to 4:30pm) will see The Return of the Musical Extravaganza, to raise funds for Family Support Work.

Volunteer Drivers

Our churchwardens are looking into the feasibility of setting up more systematic arrangements for those who find it difficult to get to church. We are asking for expressions of interest from those who might be able to help with this – especially those who don’t have weekly responsibilities in church before the 9:30am service. If you have a suitable car and might be able to assist with this please send an email to our churchwardens. If you need more information please speak to Judie or Kate directly.

Cake Ministry

Gary was pleased to see so many offers for the autumn cake rotas. The Little Stars’ cake rota is complete for the next few weeks but there are a few spaces on the school staff rota, for example for the week beginning 16 September. Please note that all cakes must not contain nuts. You can sign up on the sheet at the back of church which is left out during the week and contains the most up-to-date listing.

Churchyard Projects

Photographs of the newly connected lighting along the lower churchyard path were the focus of an August 2026 update on the ‘Let there be Light’ page of our website. Click here if you would like to see them.

Families & Children

Little Stars has resumed after the holidays and meets according to its usual weekly pattern over two sessions each week:

• Monday afternoons from 1pm to 2:45pm
• Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30am.

There is no need to apply or book. Just turn up at the Penfold Hall with your children. Any enquiries can be directed to Gary on 07396 963996 or at families@steyningparishchurch.org.

Dungeons & Dragons

The role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons (often abbreviated ‘D&D’ or ‘DnD’) can be very good for your mental health. Recent studies show that regular play can lower stress, anxiety, and depression while boosting self-esteem. As part of our families and children’s ministry Gary and the team are starting a local group for Steyning meeting at the Penfold Hall. The experience of our community wardens has demonstrated how these regular and structured meetings can help children and teenagers on the autism spectrum build social confidence and practice communication in a safe environment.

Our group begins on Saturday 12 September from 4pm to 6pm and will meet monthly on second Saturdays (thereafter this autumn on 10 October, 14 November and 12 December). There are limited spaces so advance booking is essential, by clicking here. Links will change each time as booking will be taken on a monthly basis. Please pass this information on to any contacts you may have with children who have ‘SEND’ assistance in education. Please send an email to Gary if you are in a position to assist as a volunteer.

Wednesday Coffee

Our friendly coffee mornings continue without a break during August. Anyone is welcome to join us at the Penfold Hall on any Wednesday morning between 10am and 11:30am for real coffee or tea, conversation and big smiles. If you are willing to help, please speak to a member of the team.

Midweek Eucharist

All are welcome to these peaceful midweek services which take place in the chancel of St Andrew’s & St Cuthman’s at 11:30am every Wednesday. A special service including prayers for healing takes place the final Wednesday of the month (30 September this month).

Good Grief Café

The monthly sessions take place every second Friday afternoon from 2pm until 4pm in the Penfold Hall, with the next session scheduled for Friday, 11 September. Those who have experienced any sort of loss are welcome to join us for tea or coffee, biscuits and a listening ear. Come to talk and share, or just listen. For more information, please ring 01903 813276 or, if you prefer, you can email care@steyningparishchurch.org

Free Food – Three Times a Week!

Steyning Community Fridge now holds three sessions each week, including Sunday mornings so feel free to pop down to the Cottage after the 9:30am service to pick up some fresh food that is close to or has just passed its best‑before date but is still good to eat. Opening times are as follows:

• Monday evenings from 6pm to 7pm
• Thursday mornings from 10am to 11am
• Sunday mornings from 10:45 to 11:45am.

Click here to send an email to the organisers. Donations to help with transport costs are always welcome.

Intercessions for Healing

Please contact the Parish Office (or on 01903 813276) if anyone you know should be added (with their consent) to our public intercessions. To contact or update our Prayer Group, please write to prayer@steyningparishchurch.org

ONLINE WORSHIP RESOURCES

The readings for tomorrow morning (Year A, Proper 18) are as follows: Ezekiel 33:7‑11; Psalm 119:33‑40; Romans 13:8‑14; Matthew 18:15‑20.

The Church of England continues to provide a videoed, pre‑recorded service, available every Sunday at 9am. These services tend to last between 30 and 50 minutes.

Services continue to be streamed live from our Cathedral. The text of each service, including hymns and readings, is usually available as a PDF on the same page.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Holy Baptism

Iris Golds (Steyning, 30 August)
Ralph Willmer (Ashurst, 30 August)

Holy Matrimony

John Mockler & Fiona Hall (Steyning, 11 September)
Jim Strivens & Jess Pearce (Steyning, 12 September).

John and Fiona will be known to many of us as regular members of our congregation since they moved to Steyning at the end of last year. Anyone who would like to join them at their wedding (as above) at 12:30pm next Friday will be most welcome.

Recently Departed

Andrew (‘Andy’) Myers (priest), Anthony (‘Tony’) Jowett, Michael John (‘Mike’) Reed, (Pastor) Robert Guanco.

Year’s Mind

Gillian Mary Downham, Sheila Virr, David William Mendez, John Clough Waters, Raymond Woodhams (priest), Eileen Buckley, Andrew Iain (‘Andy’) Cox, Noel Smalley, Sandra Stokes, Angela Rosemary Browse, Gordon Marshall, Kay Bamforth, Zoe Fricker, Norman Browne, David (‘Trevor’) Humphreys.