Spiritual Life and Special Services
Ash Wednesday
The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and the impostition of ashes. It is a solemn moment in the church year when we remember our mortality and renew our commitment to Christ. There are two services in the benefice. A daytime service at the Good Shepherd, 10am. Or an evening service at St Mary de Haura, 7.30pm.
Benefice Lent Groups
There are three groups running this year across the benefice open to all. We focus on a new book from the leading Gospel of John scholar David Ford, ‘Meeting God in John’ (SPCK). In the words of one reviewer: "Meeting God in John offers a masterclass Bible Study, a deeply moving devotional meditation, and a rich group experience all focused on encounter with Jesus... An amazing journey into the heart of God led by an extraordinarily inspiring guide."- Paul S Williams, Chief Executive, Bible Society. The book has had an excellent review in The Church Times and is suitable for those new to John and those who want to go deeper. It is also being offered as part of this year’s Lent Big Church Read with video resources and a reading plan, which could be followed individually at home.
The dates for the three groups:
​
Monday, 3pm-4.30pm. Led by Revd Liz and Anthony Rathbone at their Shoreham garden room. 23rd February, 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd March
​
Tuesday 10.15am-11.30am. Led by Mthr Anne-Marie at the Church of the Good Shepherd. 24th February, March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th.
​
Wednesday 7.30pm-8.45pm. Led by Revd Jane and Judy Short online (Zoom).
25th February, March 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th.
​
Sign-up sheets will be available in church after the Sunday services, or you can email the parish centre. smdh.office@gmail.com.Places are limited. Please purchase the book before your first meeting. If there is sufficient demand a fourth group could run.
​
Taizé for Healing
Taizé is a form of contemplative chanting that originates with an ecumenical monastic community in France. Our monthly candlelit Taizé service offers a peaceful space, with silence and reflections, for the healing of ourselves and our world. For those who wish to stay on at the end of the service, individual healing prayer and the laying on of hands is offered. No experience of Taizé chanting is needed.
Labyrinth Walks
We seasonally host labyrinth walks, either on the beach at low tide, or in church. Labyrinths are archetypal spiral shapes dating back thousands of years and found in many cultures. In the Christian tradition they can be found set into the floors of cathedrals and large churches. They are walked as a contemplative practice or prayer, and may form part of a pilgrimage. Our beach labyrinths are built using pebbles on the low tide sand. Our indoor labyrinths are painted onto canvas, and are in the style of the well known labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral in France. The church's labyrinth ministry is run in collaboration with the Centre for Spirituality.
Morning Meditation
Begin your weekend with an hour of contemplative practice. We have an opportunity to reflect back over our week with gratitude, savouring the blessings we have received. There is the sharing of spiritually enriching poetry or writing. We finish with Lectio Divina, an ancient way of reading scripture with the 'ears of the heart', as developed in the 6th century by St Benedict. All are welcome and no experience is needed. For those who want to stay, we share breakfast in the vicarage and a discussion about the readings. You can also join us online - the link is in the weekly newsletter. Morning meditation is offered in partnership with the Centre for Spirituality.
​
Easter Sunrise on the Beach
We host an informal sunrise service each Easter Sunday on the beach. It begins in the dark, watching the sunrise in silence. We gather around a fire pit to light the Easter candle, followed by singing and a joyful Communion. We share breakfast afterwards in the church hall.
Blessing of the Sea
A special annual outdoor service for Sea Sunday in July where we pray for those who go to sea and those who care for the sea. Different local groups are invited to participate. We gather at the Pollinator Cafe at far end of Shoreham Beach. All are welcome to this informal thanksgiving and celebration of the sea.
