Parishioner Profile – Bob and Carol Musselwhite

Pewsheets

IMG_0395Since the lockdown started on the 22nd March, Carol and I have been up to quite a lot of different things. We started right at the beginning: having a big spring clean throughout our home, including emptying all cupboards, washing and cleaning everything, throwing out lots of items and saving things for Saturday markets when they return.

Like others, we have been doing lots of gardening, not only at our house but that of our neighbour, daughter and Carol’s sister, who are all unable to do larger gardening jobs. Because the weather has been so wonderful, we have been able to strip, clean and redo our son’s and Carol’s sister’s decking areas, all within the government guidelines and without coming into contact with them. Also during the lockdown, because the church has been out of use, I have been able to redecorate the hall kitchen area, box in pipes and spruce up the paintwork in other areas of the hall.

We have been on lots of neighbourhood walks, exploring the Worth Way and Grattons Drive park and lakes. We have been able to visit the National Trust gardens especially Wakehurst on Carol’s birthday, celebrating there with a lovely walk with our grandson Alfie and our daughter Rachel. Over the past two weeks, we have been able to see more of our grandsons and family and have a much-needed cuddle. We have also been to the beach at Worthing and seen our daughter Sharon who lives there – fantastic with the gorgeous weather we have been having.

We have participated in worship following online services, as well as watching archived Songs of Praise on TV, both of which we’ve found uplifting in these difficult times. We have missed so very much seeing our Christian family and friends and community in person and hopefully soon we will all meet and share together again. It has been sad to hear of the loss of two dear church members who were with St Barnabas’ for a long time – dear Isobel and Brenda. May our Lord continue to bless them richly.

All our love,

Bob and Carol

Last Call for Our Zoom Quiz

Pewsheets

2There is still room to join our quiz tomorrow night, Friday 19 June at 8pm, on Zoom. If you’ve been meaning to book, here’s what to do, but be quick:

  1. Invite your team members and choose a team name.
  2. Pay £3 per head to Sort Code: 40-18-22 Account: 61223372 referencing your team name
  3. Send office@worthparish.org an email confirming you have paid and giving us one email address for every location where you have a team member.
  4. We email you a link for you to click to join at Friday 19 June at 8pm.

 

Mothers’ Union in Sussex Supporting Covid-19 affected families

Covid-19

Mothers’ Union branch members have stepped up their support for local communities during the Covid-19 pandemic. Lockdown has meant Sussex charity “Family Support Work” (FSW) giving out 40 weekly food boxes up from the usual 25. Each box contains a month’s basic food needs and the charity were rapidly running out of food.

From 6 June, the 44 Sussex Branches of the Mothers’ Union mobilised and collected enough food to feed over 80 families for a month. Worthing charity Turning Tides loaned their van so the MU could transport food from around the county to FSW at Brighton, travelling over 300 miles in 2 weekends. As well as food, donations of toiletries, household cleaning products and babies’ nappies were needed and provided.

Mothers’ Union Diocesan President, Karen Hill said: “I know our members pray with their feet moving. This was a simple need and one we can help with. FSW and Mothers’ Union mirror each other’s core values, and are an obvious partnership in these difficult times. With the generous help of Turning Tides, this is a wonderful example of community charities pulling together to help those in need. These last weeks in lockdown have been hard and members relish the opportunity to do something to help others.”

One MU member, Norma said: ”My granddaughter gets my shopping for me, as I have to be shielded. It will be lovely to get her to buy some food for someone other than me!! It’s good to do things for each other.”

Martin Auton-Lloyd, director of FSW said: “The Mothers’ Union has always been a great friend to FSW and just as we thought we were going to hit problems with food supplies they stepped in and offered to help us keep our food bank running. Bringing our joint supporters together like this is a great way to show to the wider community the commitment, that we, as Christians, have to serving those in need.”

Mothers’ Union Chief Executive, Bev Jullien said: The response from our membership has been overwhelming but not surprising. The rallying call from the movement was, stay safe but wherever people need help, we’re there for them. Mothers’ Union has always responded to community needs, and our response to Covid-19 sums it up – we do whatever is needed by the communities we are a part of, in partnership with others, to ensure the most effective response, we always have and always will.”

  • If you would like to donate financially to the work of FSW, click here.
  • To learn more about the Mothers’ Union, nationally click here.
  • To read about the Worth and Pound Hill Mothers’ Union branch, click here.

Accessing Our Churches

Building, Churchyard, Covid-19, Prayers

At St Nicholas’

Scaffolding is being erected for urgent repairs to the spire and roof at St Nicholas’. Therefore, the churchyard is closed between 7.30am and 4pm, Monday to Friday for the next two weeks.

At St Barnabas’

We are pleased to say that the Narthex (the area separate from the main church) at St Barnabas’ is now open for private prayer from 10am – 4pm every day except Tuesdays when it will be open 11am – 4pm after our service on Facebook.

  • One person or ‘family bubble’ at a time please
  • Please keep this door open

 

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