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St. Peter's is a very active community of Christians who share their skills with the whole community.

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

The PARISH OFFICE is normally open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, between 9.30am and 12 noon.Tel. 734438 Parish Secretary: Mrs Jill Andrews.

 

To keep up with WHAT’S ON, take the Parish Magazine regularly and read the weekly notice sheet handed out at Sunday services. To request delivery of the Magazine, phone Sal Fowler, 221927.

 

The CHURCH LIBRARY, at the back of the church, has books on many aspects of the Christian faith. Feel free to browse and borrow.

 

BIBLE STUDY / PRAYER GROUPS

 

HOUSE GROUPS There are about 10 of these, usually meeting fortnightly, mostly in the evening but some in the daytime. You are likely to find a mixture of prayer, study and discussion, providing a valuable opportunity to meet other Christians informally and to grow in faith together. Contact: The Revd. Daniel Smith (01424 212453), or Alison Marchant (01424 216466).

 

HEALING PRAYER GROUP - All are welcome to join this group which meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 2.30pm in the Ivens Room (St Peter’s Stables). There is discussion as well as prayer on this topic. Contact: The Rector (211115).

 

WEDNESDAY FELLOWSHIP - This meets for Bible Study on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at 7.30pm at the Coach House, by the Manor Gardens. All are welcome; come occasionally or, better still, regularly. Contact: Elisabeth Gutch, Tel. 211567.

 

PRAYER TRIPLETS - These small prayer “cells” meet at varying intervals and for varying lengths of time, according to the choice of the participants. If you would like to explore the possibility of being part of one of these triplets, contact Sr. Anne Eden, SWJ (211274).

 

PRAYERS FOR MISSION take place on the first Saturday of each month in the Ivens Room at 8.00am for 1/2 hr. All welcome. (Enquiries: 214780).

OR YOUNGER CHRISTIANS

 

“PEBBLES” - each child has a pebble with their name on, to put on the altar at the service for parents and toddlers held on the third Tuesday of each month at 9.45a.m., in church. Each service lasts about 20 minutes, is aimed at the under 5’s and the emphasis is on participation by the children. Parents and children are welcome to join the Toddler Groups which meet at the Community Centre, for coffee and play after the service.

Contact: Catherine Finn (217143) or Judy Newton (210651)

There is a friendly PLAY AREA for very young children at the rear of the church for use during the 9.45 a.m. Parish Eucharist. There is also a Crèche in the community centre Bell Room

The J CLUB is for children between the ages of 3 and 10. It meets Sundays (except 1st), at 9.30 a.m. in the Community Centre. Sessions include music, drama, craft and cookery, after which the children go into church for part of the service, or the Time for God family service. Contact: Ruth Elias, (211176) or Heidi Miles (22407)

The SPOTLIGHT GROUP is for young people from school year 5. They meet every Sunday from 9.30am, in the Community Centre, using the time to learn what the Bible says and how it relates to our everyday life; at the end of each session they join the congregation in church for Communion or, once a month, the Time for God family service. Contact: Ruth Elias, as above.

 

The YOUTH FELLOWSHIP welcomes young people aged about 13/14 upwards, meeting Sunday evenings in term time, from 7.30pm - 9.00pm, It looks at the Christian faith in a relaxed way; other activities include games, video evenings, discussions, and trips away. Contact: The Revd. Daniel Smith Tel. 212453

 

LIFE COURS

 

 

These 6-session courses cater for anyone wanting to start learning what Christianity is really about, newcomers to the Church, those bringing babies to baptism or those who simply want to brush up on the basics.

Each course will take place in a home, either in an evening with a light meal, or in a morning with tea/coffee. There will be time to discuss issues or questions that arise, such as “Is there a God ?”, “Who is Jesus?”, “Why did he die?”, etc. No question is regarded as too simple or too hostile. Towards the end of the course, there will be an away-day to learn more about the Holy Spirit. People will have a chance to get to know each other and to learn together - and it can be fun!

To find out more, contact the co-ordinator: Peter Ewen,

10 Elizabeth Court, 65 Amherst Road, Bexhill-on-Sea - Tel. 214780

BAPTISM Baptisms are both joyful and serious occasions - joyful because in baptising we are welcoming a new member into Jesus' own family, the church; serious because important commitments are made to God about teaching and encouraging the baptised in the Christian faith, within the family of the church. To help parents and godparents in this important work, we now offer in the first instance a Service of Thanksgiving to thank God for this precious new life. This Service is extremely flexible in content and the clergy are happy to discuss the details with parents. Thereafter, those who wish to proceed to baptism for their child undergo a short course of preparation which will normally take place in the parent's home, though we recognise that family circumstances can vary greatly, and that sometimes, for example, it is not possible for both parents to take part.

Adults considering baptism should contact the Rector (01424 211115).

 

CONFIRMATION: This church now prepares children over seven for admission to Holy Communion before Confirmation and there is a course of instruction for this. A commitment is also required from the children’s parents, before admitting them to the course.
Confirmation should be seen as a mature commitment to Christian discipleship; Confirmation courses will take place at St Peter’s as needed. Enquiries to The Revd. Daniel Smith, 212453, or The Revd. Olivia Werrett 01424 214144 or Parish Office, 734438

 

CONFESSIONS: If you would like to see a priest for confession or spiritual advice, please contact the Rector (211115) for an appointment.

PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES -  Let’s Investigate Faith & Eternity

FINDING OUT ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN FAITHPORTUNITY FOR YOU ?

 

CHURCH CLEANING - Members of the cleaning teams work to a rota, being on duty for about one and a half hours once a month (usually on a Friday afternoon). Some special, occasional, cleaning tasks can be done at other times as convenient. New volunteers always wanted. Contact Margaret Pink - 213669

Brass cleaning is organised separately; duties come round every 8 weeks and various fixed items in the church are dealt with according to need. Anyone interested in helping should contact Margaret Pink.

The FLOWER GUILD is responsible for the floral decoration of the church throughout the year, except for Lent and Advent. Members sometimes meet socially to do any planning or preparation needed. Flowers are normally arranged in church on Friday mornings. New members would be welcomed with open arms, whether experienced or simply willing to learn! Contact: Hazel Mitten 218711/219908.

The SEWING GUILD meets in the Bell Room at the Community Centre every Wednesday morning from 9.30am - 11.30am. Their work involves the care and maintenance of church textiles as well as making new vestments and canvas-work kneelers. If this interests you, call in and meet the Guild any Wednesday morning.

Contact: Di Wrigley Tel 214046

MUSIC - THE CHOIR leads the worship at the choral services. These are usually on Sundays at 9.45am and 6.00pm, but it also sings on most other feast days as they occur. We welcome new members - both children and adults. Membership of the choir is open to men who sing tenor and bass, men and women who sing alto, and to children (both boys and girls) who sing treble. The choir has a busy and exciting programme of concerts, cathedral visits and social activities throughout each year. Please contact either a current member of the choir, or the Director of Music,

Peter Dutton, Tel 736357, for further information or an informal chat.

 

FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP

 

MEN AT BREAKFAST - This is a chance for men to meet for breakfast, bringing a non-Christian along if possible, and to hear a speaker talk about how his/her Christian faith has developed and affected his/her life. Meetings are on a Saturday morning, once a month, in the Bell Room at the Community Centre, starting at 8.30am and finishing by 10.00am.

Further information from Peter Ewen - Tel. 214780.

OPEN HOUSE - This is an outreach group for all women which meets monthly on a Tuesday. Women are invited to ‘drop in’ for a cup of coffee, at any time between 10.30am and 12.30pm. Pre-school children are welcome. Come and see! For further details contact Deacon Olivia Werrett - Tel. 214144.

MOTHER’S UNION - St Peter’s Parish branch meets for corporate communion at St Peter’s, third Wednesday of each month at 10.00am followed by coffee and fellowship at the Community Centre. It also meets on the last Monday of each month at 7.30pm in the Ivens Room, & alternate months on a Thursday, 2pm at St Michael’s Small Hall. Contact: Diana Gulliver, Tel. 846462

ST PETER’S WALKERS - This is for those who enjoy sociable rambling! Walks usually take place four times a month from April to August (Tuesday or Thursday evenings), plus monthly daytime walks on Saturdays (April - October). See notice in church porch.

The walkers meet for a Christmas lunch early in December. Enquiries to Norman or Dorn Jeffery Tel. 213194.

EARLY YEARS MUSIC - a Junior Music Workshop - provides a fun introduction to music with singing and percussion, led by an experienced local music teacher. Thursdays 3.45pm - 4.30pm in term time at St Peter’s Community Centre. For Reception children, years 1 and 2. Fee: £10 per term. Contact: Ruth Elias Tel. 211176

ST PETER’S COMMUNITY CENTRE is the venue for a wide range of organisations and activities. Details can be obtained from Hazel Mitten or Heidi Miles at the Centre Office; 219908, mornings.

SUNDAY SERVICES

 

8.00 am Holy Eucharist (said)

 

9.45 am Parish Eucharist

(children’s area at rear of church)

 

9.45 am “Time for God”

Informal Worship

(with special All Age Service

1st Sunday in each month)

in St Peter’s Community Centre

 

6.00 pm Choral Evensong

 

WEEKDAY SERVICES

 

7.45 am Holy Eucharist Tuesday, Thursday & Friday

but 9.00 am. Monday & 10.00am Wednesday

 

5.30 pm Evensong (said) daily.

 

 

MORE PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES

 

SIDESMEN do various tasks to ensure the smooth running of services and, above all, to WELCOME everyone to the church. If you would like to help with this, contact David Pink - Tel. 213669

 

There is usually a need for SERVERS to assist at the Eucharist. Training will be given if you are interested but inexperienced.

Enquiries to Head Server, Alan Bucksey - Tel. 212231

The BELLRINGERS’ GUILD ensures that the bells are rung before all choral services and for weddings as required. Anyone is welcome to come and watch during the weekly practice, on Tuesdays between 7.30pm and 9.00pm Enquiries about learning to ring (from age 12 upwards) to the Tower Secretary John Walder, (Tel 215600), or any of the bellringers.

The PARISH MINIBUS provides a valuable service in helping people needing transport to church. Offers of help for driving or conducting are always welcome; contact Chris Miles - Tel 222407. To enquire about arranging a lift to the Parish Eucharist contact Elisabeth Gutch - Tel 211567.

The CHURCH WATCHING AND GUIDING SCHEME aims to “man” the church from 10.00am - 5.00pm, Mondays to Saturdays, May to October inclusive. Winter opening hours are shorter - we aim to be open 11.00am-1.00pm, Monday to Saturday. Volunteers are always urgently needed in order to achieve these aims. After trouble with vandalism in recent years, the church now has to be locked when unsupervised.

Enquiries & offers of help to the Rector, tel: 211115.

 

PAYING FOR THE CHURCH

 

Money is far from the minds of many people who visit our church. Perhaps they are visiting to pray because of some personal grief or problem - or to give thanks for a blessing. It is right that our church should be free for use in this sort of way - “free” in every sense, that is providing absolute freedom of entry over as many hours as we can manage to supervise the open church, and free of charge.

 

But church members who regard St Peter’s as their spiritual home and who worship here regularly, need to consider their response to God’s great gifts of Creation, Salvation and Spiritual Strength. This is traditionally made in three ways: Time, Talents and Money. Other pages deal with the first two, so this page is about money.

 

Each person should give according to his or her conscience: “how deeply do I feel blessed by God, and what is a worthy response towards the cost of keeping St Peter’s solvent, bearing in mind my own circumstances?”

 

It may be handy to have as a guide two facts. The first is that we no longer get a subsidy from church headquarters, and all the cost of running the church and parish has to be given by us, the church’s members; this now includes the stipend (salary) and pension of the Rector and Curate; and the second fact is that last year it cost on average almost £400 PER DAY to run St Peter’s. So if someone gives £17.60 a week it only pays the church’s expenses for one hour of each week, and most people, especially those on State Pensions, cannot afford £17.60.

 

Most committed members of the church pay by weekly or monthly fixed amounts - amounts which they fix for themselves - either by using our Stewardship Envelopes or by Banker’s Order. Those paying Income Tax usually arrange to ensure that their contributions are regarded as “Gift Aid”, so that the tax paid on their contributions is returned to the church. This is very important.

 

Please discuss your giving, and about Gift Aid, with our Stewardship Recorder (and Choirman), John Bullen, (tel. 215670), or with Treasurer David Pink, (tel. 213669). David is always happy to show in some detail how the money comes and goes.