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.
Generosity is at the very heart of our faith. We believe in a generous God—one who gives freely, abundantly, and lovingly. Every act of kindness, every gift shared, and every moment of compassion shown within our church family is a reflection of that same divine generosity. Our giving is not merely a duty, but a living expression of our faith in action—a way of saying thank you to the God who has given us everything.As we move through this season of harvest, it is a natural time to pause and reflect on all that we have received, and to celebrate the generosity that sustains our church’s ministry and mission. The harvest reminds us that every blessing we enjoy is a gift from God—one that we are invited to share with others. Growing a generous spirit takes time, prayer, and community. It begins in gratitude and flourishes in trust, as we learn to give joyfully and freely, knowing that God provides for our needs.The Rev. Dr. Sam Wells, vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, offers this wonderful reflection on giving:“If you don’t give because no one’s ever asked you, I’m asking you now. If you don’t give regularly because you’ve never got round to it, I’m saying today’s the day. If you don’t give much because you think the church doesn’t need it, I’m telling you that it does. If you don’t give a lot because you don’t have a lot, I’m saying your giving something is an example to everyone else. If you don’t give more because no one’s ever said thank you, I’m thanking you right now. If you already give until the pips squeak, I’m saying that’s wonderful, and nudge the person next to you to do the same.”His words remind us that generosity comes in many forms—through our time, our talents, our prayers, and our financial gifts. Each offering, no matter how small, is a vital part of our shared ministry. When we give, we don’t simply fill a need; we create a ripple of gratitude and hope that reaches far beyond what we can see.We should never underestimate what God can do with what seems small in our hands. Jesus took the small offering of five barley loaves and two fish from a young boy, his willingness to give opened the door for God to multiply it—feeding thousands with leftovers remaining. What matters most is not the size of the gift, but the heart that gives it. God can take even our smallest offerings and turn them into something extraordinary.When we give, we enrich not only others’ lives but our own. We become instruments of God’s love in a world that deeply needs it. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 9:11: “You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us.”As we continue to reflect on God’s generosity this season, let us find ways to show that same spirit within our community. One simple yet powerful way to do so is by supporting our Welcome Café winter warm space scheme. We are still accepting donations of food and home necessities (unused and in-date) to help those who may be struggling during the colder months. Please bring anything you have to offer to the Church, it will be gratefully received. Together, let us continue to be a church marked by open hearts, open hands, and open doors—living generously, just as God has been generous with us.
