The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a special time in the Christian calendar when believers across the world come together to pray for greater unity among all who confess Jesus Christ as Lord. Traditionally observed each year from 18–25 January, it invites Christians of every denomination to reflect on the prayer of Jesus Christ “that they may all be one” (John 17:21), and to seek deeper understanding, reconciliation, and shared witness.The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity offers us a valuable opportunity to pray for and with those who share our faith in Jesus Christ while practising their faith in different ways. Though our styles of worship, governance, and tradition may vary, we are united by our common baptism and our shared commitment to the Gospel. In a world often marked by division, this week reminds us that unity is not uniformity, but a gift of the Spirit nurtured through prayer, humility, and friendship.In January, churches from across the Worthing area gathered at St Richard’s, Maybridge, for an evening of biblical reflection and Taizé chants. Clergy and congregations from different traditions were warmly welcomed, creating a visible sign of the unity we seek. The service drew inspiration from the Taizé Community in southern France, whose simple, meditative style of worship is known around the world. Repetitive chants, scripture readings, silence, and gentle candlelight created a prayerful atmosphere in which all could participate, regardless of background.A central part of the evening was a reflection on the Gospel story of the woman at the well (John 4:1–42). We considered the remarkable encounter between Jesus and one woman, a Samaritan, whose life was transformed through conversation with him. This deeply personal interaction — crossing boundaries of ethnicity, religion, and social expectation — speaks powerfully into the theme of Christian unity. Just as Jesus met her with compassion and truth, so too are we called to meet one another across our differences.Discussion focused on how that one conversation led not only to the woman’s own faith, but to the faith of many others in her community. Her testimony became a bridge between Jesus and her neighbours. In the same way, our willingness to listen, to speak honestly, and to recognise Christ in one another can become a bridge towards greater unity within the wider Church.Borrowing this tradition allowed for a deeply reflective form of worship that transcended denominational differences. The simplicity of the chants and the shared silence encouraged stillness and attentiveness to God’s presence. It was a reminder that unity begins not in debate, but in shared prayer.Following the service, many stayed to enjoy soup and fellowship together. These informal moments are just as important as the service itself, strengthening bonds of trust and understanding.The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is more than an annual event; it is a call to ongoing relationship. By gathering in prayer, listening to Scripture together, and sharing hospitality, we take small but meaningful steps towards the unity to which Christ calls his Church.
On Sunday 23rd November, we welcomed Bishop Ruth to our church to celebrate Christ The King, and for four of our youngest members to be admitted to First Communion. The presence of Bishop Ruth made the occasion especially memorable, as she led the congregation in worship and shared warm, encouraging words with the children and their families.During the service, Noah, Olivia, Arthur and Emily received Holy Communion for the first time. This marked an important milestone in their faith journey, following weeks of preparation and learning. Bishop Ruth took time to speak directly to the children, affirming their place within the church family and encouraging them to continue growing in faith, curiosity, and compassion.It was a special day not only for the children and their families, but also for the whole church, as we celebrated faith, community, and the next steps in the spiritual journeys of our youngest members.
On the 9th November, people from across the parish gathered together for a beautiful service, to honour the bravery and sacrifice of those who gave their lives in wars past and present, and to pray for peace. The choir sang a rendition of the Contakion of the Dead set to a traditional melody from Kiev, a moving chant that expresses the sorrow of grief but reminds us of the Christian hope of everlasting life. The service culminated with the Act of Remembrance held in the Churchyard, during which wreaths were laid (seen in bottom picture) by representatives of: Dr Beccy Cooper, MP for Worthing West; East Worthing and Shoreham Labour Party; LibDem Party Representative; West Worthing Conservative Association; 1st Worthing Guides; 8th Worthing Sea Scouts; Worthing 4 Refugees; Worthing Veterans Association; Adur Ukraine Support Association; St Andrew’s Church; and St Andrew’s Mothers Union.Flags were lowered, and the Last Post was sounded from the top of the church tower while those present observed the two minutes silence together.
On the 1st of November, our community will come together to honour loved ones who have gone before us. The Night of Light will be a quiet, heartfelt gathering – a time to pause and remember, filling the evening with light. Before the candles are lit, there will be an All Souls Service at 3pm in the church – a peaceful space for reflection, open to anyone who wishes to remember someone dear. At 4pm, weather permitting, we will move out to the churchyard to light hundreds of memorial lanterns. One by one, these tiny flames will transform the space into a soft sea of light, each glow carrying love and memory. Although the Night of Light is a local event, it resonates with a long-standing global tradition - the use of light to honour the dead and express enduring love that transcends the boundaries of life and death. In Mexico. during Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), families fill their homes and cemeteries with marigolds, candles, music, and stories. It’s believed that the light guides their ancestors’ home for the night — a reunion of hearts across time. Across Eastern Europe, lighting candles in graveyards on All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days is one of the most moving traditions of the year. In Poland, families travel long distances to tend ancestral graves, polish headstones, lay flowers, and light glass lanterns called znicze. As darkness falls, the cemeteries shimmer with tens of thousands of tiny lights. Across Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia, churchyards too glow through the night, the flames symbolising both the souls of the departed and the triumph of Christ’s light over darkness. In Japan, during Obon, families float lanterns on rivers and seas to guide ancestral spirits back to the afterlife. The soft lights drifting on water mirror the soul’s peaceful return. And in India, during Diwali — the Festival of Lights — families light diyas and candles to celebrate life’s triumph over darkness, hope over despair, life over death. Many take time to remember their ancestors too, blending remembrance with joy. Across religions and cultures, these shared gestures remind us that light is universal — a symbol of love, memory, and spiritual connection. These moments of shared remembrance turn sorrow into beauty. Our Night of Light joins this worldwide chorus of remembrance. Whether in a bustling Mexican city, a quiet Polish village, or our own churchyard, people everywhere turn to light — to say what cannot be spoken. Every candle carries a message: that love never truly leaves us, that even in grief, beauty can be found, and that darkness is never the end.
