Notices

PDF Download the current fortnightly printed Church Notice sheet (1.12.24 to 15.12.24) as a PDF here


Next notices will cover 15.12.24 to 29.12.24

Submission date for next notices: Thursday 12th December 2024.

A printed version will be in Church at the 15th December 10.00 am service.

Please email any submissions to the church office, admin@framfieldchurch.org.uk

NOTE: Prayer Diary now has it's own page here

Opening Hours: The Church will now be open from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.

Posted: 05.04.2024

Together Lunches are usually held on the first Sunday of each month in Chiddingly Village Hall (during the winter) and the next one is scheduled, God willing, to be on 5th January for 12.30pm. (there is NOT one this time in December)

Everyone is welcome and you don't need to book ... but an email (pf@zereg.com) of intent to come would be helpful, including an indication of any particular food intolerance. Please also say if you would like your email address to be included on a reminder mailing list for future lunches.

Posted: 28.11.2024

THE WEALDWAY CHURCHES:

The legal people at the Diocese are putting things together at the moment and will present to the DMPC (East) sub-committee on the 10th of December (Diocesan Mission & Pastoral Committee, in case you were wondering!) All being well, it will return to this committee in early March and then we should be able to start our life together as the United Benefice of Framfield, East Hoathly and Chiddingly, and I will be inducted as the first Rector of this new benefice. Please note that we will still be three distinct parishes under this arrangement, with three PCCs etc. just as we are now.

Posted: 16.11.2024

Christmas workshop Saturday 7th December 10.00-12.00

We are going to run a children’s workshop where we will be making nativity characters.
We will need the following:

  • plastic bottles, a range of sizes (not milk bottles) washed and if possible with a little gravel or out of date dried beans/rice in the bottom to stop them falling over and put the lid back on
  • Pieces of fabric, ideally plain colours or traditional patterns, also anything more luxurious for the kings. Fabric should be a minimum of 30cm. Old tea towels or plain coloured pillowcases or sheeting would also be useful. Scraps of wool suitable for hair. Please leave all donations at the back of church. There is a box and bag available
  • If you can help please contact Christine. We will also need help to set up and clear up at the end.

Be prepared to get messy, there will be lots of glue involved!!We are going to run a children’s workshop where we will be making nativity characters.

Posted: 28.11.2024

Derek Thorogood: Those who have been here a while will remember Derek, a gifted organist who played for many of our evening services. He was also organist at Cornerstone in Uckfield for many years. Derek’s Funeral will be at Cornerstone, Newtown, Uckfield on Friday, 22nd November at 12.00 noon.

Posted: 17.11.2024

Advent Carol Service: This will be held at Chiddingly on 1st December 2024 at 6.00 pm. All Welcome.

Posted: 17.11.2024

Help in the churchyard: I am very grateful to all who have helped in any way. What appears to have evolved is the freedom for anyone to come whenever they can. Also perhaps 2-3 people getting together to keep an eye on an agreed smallish area. We can take care of the mowing, It’s the keeping tidy and making it look a bit cared for. It helps us and we will support you. I must admit in 50 yrs + of farming I cannot remember a growing season like this summer. It has been a challenge but gradually we are getting a measure of control. Hopefully as it looks more cared for it will encourage others to join in. I know what we are trying to do is appreciated and despite a testing summer, there is great beauty and peace in this special place in our parish. If you can and would like to be involved in any way no matter how small, then please do give me a ring on 07815 459075. Many Thanks. Peter.

Posted: 17.11.2024

Brick Church: Is at capacity now, and we have a waiting list! This term we are focusing on Christmas, and recreating Bethlehem in Lego! A huge thank you to everyone who is helping out with this!

Posted: 17.11.2024

THE WEALD WAY CHURCHES: We have paused the process at the moment, and we will discuss this more fully at our three PCC meetings this week. Framfield Church hall 7pm on Tuesday the 22nd, Chiddingly Church at 2pm on Wednesday the 23rd and East Hoathiy Church at 6.45pm also on Wednesday the 23rd.

Posted: 21.10.2024

Parish Magazine - volunteer needed: We need a volunteer to deliver the Parish magazine on Blackboys High Street (around 40 properties). Please contact Delia on 01825 890825.

Posted: 17.11.2024

Festival Choir: Singers wanted! It’s time to form up again for the Service of Lessons and Carols by Candlelight 15th December at 6.30 pm. Programme is traditional carols and readings. Practices will be on 1st and 8th December at 5.00 pm in Church (wrap up well!). All welcome, contact John Mordaunt for details on 01825 890443 johnmordaunt1@gmail.com m: 07989 587459.

Posted: 17.11.2024

FRAMFIELD ART GROUP: will be setting up a display of their latest work in the Church for viewing from Sunday 3rd November - Friday 8th November. They hope that this will encourage others to come and join them. Everyone is welcome.

Posted: 21.10.2024

Volunteer needed for Delivering Parish Magazines:
We need a volunteer to deliver the Parish magazine on Blackboys High Street (around 40 properties).
Please contact Barbara on 01825 891172

Posted: 13.10.2024

BRICK CHURCH: Is going from strength to strength! We had 10 children last week! Our final session for this term is at 3,30pm tomorrow,and then we are back again on Monday the 4th of November.

Posted: 21.10.2024

BRICK CHURCH: A new after school club, again for all of our 4 schools, starting at East Hoathly Church in September. Very many thanks to those of you that have donated bricks, and especially for the generosity of the friends of Chiddingly Church. I think we are good to go now! The first Brick Church will be on Monday the 16th September at 3.30 pm.

Posted: 02.09.2024

THE WEALD WAY CHURCHES:We have hit something of a roadblock with this at the moment, with a number of people feeling that we are moving too fast We will discuss this more fully at our PCC meetings on the 22nd and 23rd of October. In the meantime, I have paused the process. James.

Posted: 19.10.2024

The Wealdway Benefice

We have been talking about this potential new way of working together for a while now, and after a successful meeting with the Archdeacon in July I think we are gradually beginning to understand what this might look like in practice. We have just formed a working group, made up of representatives from all three parishes, to thrash out the details, and this group will keep our three PCCs informed of progress as it is made.

I shared a very productive working lunch in August with a colleague in West Sussex who has recently successfully achieved what we hope to achieve.

On the 1st of January 2021 the parishes of St James Selham, St Peter Lodswoth and St Mary Easebourne became one new benefice (the Priory Benefice) containing three parish churches.

Their inspired ‘strap line’ is: One church - Three buildings.

I truly hope and pray that this may become a reality for our three parishes, as we seek to become one Weald Way Benefice containing the three parish churches of Chiddingly, East Hoathly and St. Thomas à Becket Framfield. One church - Three buildings.

Practically this will mean that all three churches, will come together under the banner of one PCC with one Annual Parochial Church meeting, one main Treasurer and one Safeguarding Officer. The remit of the One PCC, will be to jointly run our three churches; promoting the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England. The PCC will co-operate with the incumbent, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the Church; pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.

Following the excellent example of the Priory Benefice, each church will I think have a local committee consisting of:

  • The Incumbent
  • Church warden(s)
  • 2 lay reps from the main PCC
  • Someone to bank the money and keep gentle accounts
  • Co-opted members of each church where and as necessary

The local committee will meet as many times a year as they decide appropriate. They will appoint someone to bank monies and run a simple form of accounts which will be passed to the main PCC treasurer.

The standing committee will deal with the day-to-day business of each church community, making sure that larger issues are dealt with by the main PCC.

I appreciate that this sounds somewhat clumsy and legalistic, but we need to get this right, and hopefully our newly formed working party, can start to form my disparate ideas into a cogent whole!

In the meantime, please continue to pray for our church family and our wider communities.

One church – Three Buildings!

Yours in Christ

Revd. James

September 2024

Posted: 14.09.2024

THE WEALDWAY CHURCHES: You might have noticed a little gentle rebranding. Tomorrow sees the first meeting of our Weald Way Benefice Steering Group. Representatives from all three churches will be meeting up to move the project forward, discussing the important issues of: Finances, Filling Roles, and most importantly, our coming together as the Body of Christ here in our small corner of East Sussex. Meeting is 6pm at Framfield Church. Please continue to pray as the pastoral reorganisation progresses.

Posted: 02.09.2024

“A Little Light Music “: After Monday 9th September, this will take a break.

Posted: 07.09.2024

The Mission Action Plan (MAP) The Mission Action Plan (MAP) for the next 3-5yrs is now available, in church and on the church website: Here

The three PCCs met with Archdeacon Edward, and Emma Arbuthnot from Church House on Tuesday 25th June at 7pm in East Hoathly Church. regarding joining together under the 'umbrella' of one new Benefice. It was a very productive meeting. Please keep this ongoing situation in your prayers.

https://framfieldchurch.org.uk/missionactionplan.html

Posted: 29.06.2024

Help in the churchyard: We are very grateful to everyone who works diligently in the churchyard. It is greatly appreciated by us and the local community but we really could do with more help as our current workforce isn’t getting any younger or healthier. Even if it’s for the odd hour it all makes a difference.
Since Freddy’s passing in March 2023, Peter Berry has battled on with the churchyard maintenance, assisted by Malcolm Marchesi and Jerry Pryke. Ideally, these guys need more help, Freddy was virtually full time working in the churchyard before failing health meant he had to stop. Please contact Peter (mobile 0781 545 9075) if you are willing and able to help, even a couple of hours a week, or email the church office.

Posted: 31.12.2023

Giving to the Church: We are so grateful for any donations you are able to make. In a rapidly increasing cashless world, we are excited to announce that the church is now equipped with a cashless giving machine. Donations can be made easily using a credit or debit card. Simply select the cause you would like to donate to and the amount you wish to donate and tap your card on the top of the machine. We are currently collecting for the general church fund, and our appeal for funds towards the churchyard. Contact Gaynor for further details.

Posted: 31.12.2023

Live Streaming and Recording of Services There will be no live streaming or recording of services for the foreseeable future. I know those of you cannot attend church will miss this facility – I hope we can take it up again in the future but there is no clear way forward at present.

Posted: 21.10.2023

Housegroups: At present these meet on Zoom, which works well, but we are considering a new group for those who may wish to meet in person.

Posted: 13.08.2023

New Lectionary: We are using the NRSV Lectionary for readings now, especially for communion. The readings will be available in advance as a pdf file which should help with preparation. There will be a large print version.

Posted: 13.08.2023

Forward as Three Churches: We now share clergy with Chiddingly with East Hoathly - Revd James Vine as Priest-in-Charge and Revd Janice Bartholomew as Assistant Curate. We welcome or brothers and sisters in Christ from Chiddingly and East Hoathly.

We are united in our beliefs, churchmanship, and circumstances (rural parishes needing to expand our congregation, especially the younger generations).

The service pattern is available here:
https://www.framfieldchurch.org.uk/services.html

The combined rota for all three churches is here:
https://www.framfieldchurch.org.uk/rota/combined rota.html

Posted: 27.07.2023

Car Sharing: We need to organise transport to East Hoathly and Chiddingly for the combined services, on the second and fifth Sundays. Please sign up if you need transport or can drive and have passenger places on offer. Parking is limited and we also need to be aware of our carbon footprint and to minimise the number of vehicles used as far as possible.

Posted: 02.06.2023

We have a new Parish Safeguarding Officer – Rowena Martin is now the Safeguarding point of contact. We ensure that all children and adults are kept safe within the church community.

Posted: 31.07.2023 (update)

Flower Rota - A very BIG thank you to all the ladies that have decorated the Altar and church with lovely flowers during a difficult year and hopefully will be willing to be on the Rota for 2022, please advise if unable to help. Thank you – Margaret Bond Tel. 01825 890807.

Posted: 22.11.2021

A plug for Homegroups.

Currently about a third of the church attend an online home group. There are three at present:

(Weekly) Tuesday mornings 10.30 - 11.30 am;

(Fortnightly) Wednesday evenings 7.30 pm and

(Fortnightly) Thursday evenings 7.30 pm.

Over the past couple of years the groups have been a lifeline to many, particularly those who live alone. Apart from a short Bible study and discussion they do provide an opportunity to socialise and pray for one another when the need arises.

The groups are also opening up to those who attend our Sunday services online. Covid has taken its toll and the general Sunday in-person attendance has suffered as a result. However, homegroups provide a constant source of fellowship and support which spiritually buoy’s us up and helps with our general wellbeing and mental health. Details have been sent out to the church family via email but do get in touch if you would like to join one or just give it a go. Office email: admin@framfieldchurch.org.uk.

Posted: 22.11.2021

Churchyard mowers -

Unfortunately, we have had to replace one of the mowers and the ‘ride-on’ is in need of some major refurbishment in order to keep it going. As a church we only have limited resources and the Church Yard fund has all but run out as recent expenditure ran into several hundred pounds. Helping with the maintenance cost does ensure that the churchyard is a pleasant place to come to when visiting the graves of loved ones. If anyone would like to give a donation or set up a small standing order it would be gratefully received - Thank you.

Posted: 16.09.2021

Church Cleaning

Unfortunately due to the fallout from the pandemic our faithful band of church cleaners has been seriously depleted. At the moment there’s only Marie and Val who come in twice monthly. We are very grateful for all their efforts but we really could do with a few additional volunteers.

Posted: 11.10.2021

And - Post Service Tea/Coffee Volunteers

We could really do with some help with post service tea/coffee rather than operating on an ad-hoc basis. A team of two appears to work very well so if there’s any budding duets willing to lend a hand do speak to Graham Seldon or leave a message on the church answerphone – 01825 891033 - Thank you.

Posted: 11.10.2021

Parking at the Hare & Hounds pub - Reminder:

Parking at the Hare & Hounds pub (10.00 am Sunday Service). The landlord is happy for members of the church family to use the pub car park provided cars are parked at the far end of the car park and removed by 11.30 am sharp.

Posted: 12.09.2020

Previous Online Sunday Services

The previously recorded weekly services may be accessed here or on our Facebook page.

Posted: 27.09.2020

Web site for St Thomas a Becket

Our church website has now been running for over fifteen years. This third redesign, mainly to adapt to the ever increasing number of users on phones and tablets and their smaller screens, went live on 16th August 2020. The site aims to be a useful resource to church members, and also to reach out to potential new members. We hope you will take a look and find it useful. We try very hard to keep it up to date and relevant. Any questions, comments or suggestions, email us here

Posted: 16.08.2020