Highbrook, West Sussex
If you’re in need of a post-Christmas work out (or, whisper it, an escape from your household) join us for our monthly church cleaning session this Thursday. We’ll be focussing on clearing the Chrismas candles and chipping off the wax spots from the floor and wherever else they’ve landed.. We’ll meet at 11am and be there ’til 3pm with a break for lunch. Coffee and tea will be provided. Drop in and join us for a while – all help is much appreciated. Bring your own scrapers, dusters etc.
We’re delighted to have received some very good news from the Diocese at a recent meeting with the Archdeacon. Our parish profile (which will be used to advertise for a vicar) has been received warmly, as has our intention to pay our full parish share for at least the next two years. Consequently the Bishop and Archdeacon have agreed that the lengthy suspension of our parish will now lapse and the Diocese will advertise for a full time priest in 2023.
We enjoyed a wonderful Carols by Candlelight last Sunday led by Canon David Tickner.
If you weren’t able to be with us then you can watch the service here on youtube
Many thanks to our wonderful choir and our terrific team of readers for creating such a special service for us to enjoy.
Music.
– Once in Royal David’s City. Solo, Choir and Congregation. – The Sussex Carol, Choir. Traditional words, Tune heard by Cecil Sharpe and Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1919 sung by a lady at Monk’s Gate c 3 miles south of Horsham – hence its name “The Sussex Carol”.
-Unto us is born a Son, King of Quires supernal.Choir and Congregation.
– O little town of Bethlehem. Choir and Congregation. – There is no Rose. Choir. Medieval words, composer John Joubert (1927-2019).
– See amid the winter’s snow. Choir and Congregation.
– In Dulci Jubilo. Choir. Composer R. Pearsall (1795-1856).
– Hark the Herald Angels Sing. Choir and Congregation.
-The First Nowell. Choir and Congregation. – Carol of the Bells. Choir. Tune – a Ukrainian Folk chant set by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in 1914. Dedicated to all Ukrainians and particularly those staying locally and their families and hosts.
– Good King Wenceslas. Choir and Congregation. king Wenceslas was a legendary Bohemian King who gave to the poor. Composed in 1853 at Sackville College in East Grinstead by then Warden JM Neale.
– We wish you a Merry Christmas. Choir and Congregation. Traditional, West Country.
Readings.
1. Isaiah 9.2, 6-7 The Prophecy of The Messiah’s Birth.
2. Micah 5. 2-4. The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem.
3. Isaiah 11. 1-9. Kingdom of Peace.
4. Luke 1. 26-38. The Annunciation to Mary.
5. Matthew 1. 18-25. St Matthew tells of the Birth of Jesus.
6. Luke 2. 1-7. St Luke tells of the Birth of Jesus.
7. Luke 2. 8-16. The Shepherds go to the Manger.
8. Matthew 2. 1-11.The Magi are led by the star to Jesus.
9. John 1. 1-14. The Incarnation of the Word of God.
This year you’re invited to send your Highbrook friends and neighbours a Christmas message by writing a card and hanging on the tree at the back of All Saints’. A donation towards the cost of the tree can be left, if you like, in the donation box just inside the door.
A day celebrating the Nativity with Music, a live Nativity with animals, Nativity displays, Spot the lambs in the Church and more running in parallel with the Highbrook Christmas Market in Highbrook Village Hall.
Why not pick up your Christmas Tree at the same time? They’ll be on sale in Highbrook playground opposite the Village Hall.
Take part in out Nativity Festival by creating your own Nativity model. These can be made from anything you like, get creative with play dough, paint, clay, pegs, Lego, recycled junk, knit, crochet, sew or bake one. There are some good examples in this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/d93mI-s33qE
Entry is free and open to all ages, the finished models will need to be delivered to All Saints ready for us to display on Friday 2nd December.
There will be prizes!
Do you have a interesting, unusual, beautiful or well loved Nativity set we could borrow and display? These will be displayed with care and will be kept safe, they will not be handled by visitors
For further information contact:
Heather Chapman heather.chapman99@googlemail.com
If you are interested in being part of our live nativity please contact:
Sophie Hill sophiedianahill@gmail.com
Support to Ukrainian families
Earlier in the year we raised money to support the Ukrainian families who have come to live here following the war in Ukraine. That money is still being put to good use, and recently paid for school uniforms and school lunches whilst Universal Credit is being sorted out. We’ve been asked to pass on how grateful the families are for this support and the warm welcome they have received.
September’s Chronicle magazine for West Hoathly, Highbrook and Sharpthorne is now available in church.
Read the church pages here.
