Midweek Bulletin
MID-WEEK BULLETIN – Wednesday 21st January 2026
‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.’ (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
DIARY
This evening
7.30pm: PCC Meeting, the Rectory
This Sunday 25th January (The Conversion of St. Paul)
11.00am: Matins
Sunday 1st February (4th after Epiphany / Septuagesima)
9.45am: Zoom
11.00am: Holy Communion
6.30pm: Candlemas Evensong
Sunday 8th February (2nd before Lent / Sexagesima)
11.00am: Matins
4.00pm: Service of Wholeness & Healing
Sunday 15th February (Sunday next before Lent / Quinquagesima)
9.45am: Zoom
11.00am: Matins
Wednesday 18th February - Ash Wednesday
12noon: HC, followed by lunch at the Rectory
LENT GROUP – on ZOOM
Studying Sister Wendy Beckett’s ‘The Art of Holy Week & Easter’.
Over four sessions on Mondays 5.30-6.30pm, looking each week at seven great works of art with her commentary: Monday 23 Feb, 2 March, 16 March and 23 March.
Participants will need a copy of her book: £9.73 – please order on/by Ash Wed.
The Kings Hall, Withyham
The Soup Group (Thursdays): Tomorrow 11am-2pm
Next Café: Friday 13th February 10.30am-12noon
Blackham Village Market at the Hall: 7th February 10.00am-12.15pm
For your PRAYERS
The Persecuted Church: Christians in YEMEN. Torn apart by civil war, life is very hard for everybody and even harder for believers as none of the three different powers who rule the country are sympathetic to Christianity.
Those in need of our prayers: Simon COSTEN
Bereaved: The family and friends of those known to us.
James
Notices
WITHYHAM CHURCH ESSENTIAL BUILDING WORK
BUILDING WORK UPDATE: A corner tower scaffolding supporting the rotten beam above the E. window is place. The additional building work will probably take place in April.
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​​PARISH REGISTERS – December 2025 & January 2026​
BAPTISM
On 20th December the christening of Sylvie Kay PECK, daughter of Lucy (MURRAY WILLIS) and James, took place at St. Michael and All Angels Church, Withyham.
On 3rd January the christening of Otto Andrew Eric OWTRAM, son of Alice (nee CAMPBELL) and Simon, took place at St. Michael and All Angels Church, Withyham.
On 11th January the christening of Annabelle Lacy Stephanie HYAMS, daughter of Cassie and Sam, took place at St. Michael and All Angels Church, Withyham.
FUNERAL
On 1st December the funeral of Alan Alfred COWING who died on 25th October 2025, aged 83, took place at St. Michael and All Angels Church, Withyham, followed by an unattended cremation at the Kent & Sussex Crematorium, Tunbridge Wells.
On 10th December the burial of Lenorah (‘Lorna’) MERCER who died on 6th November 2025, aged 93, took place at St. Michael and All Angels Church, Withyham
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CHURCHWARDEN'S NOTES
We experienced a busy November at St. Michael & All Angels, Withyham and All Saints, Blackham.
On 2nd November an All Souls Day Service was held at Withyham. This is a service held for family and friends who have sadly lost loved ones during the year and had their funeral services in the Parish. The service is not primarily for the current year but also to remember those lost from the past, and all were welcome. A list of those we wished to remember was read out and as in previous years, this was a healing and moving service.
Remembrance Sunday happened on 9th November with another moving service at Withyham. The names of those killed in WWI and WWII were read out by our Patron. After that a short service was held at the Lych Gate at Blackham, this time with James Castle lowering the flag at the appropriate time, in the middle of the road, stopping the traffic.
The Autumn Churchyard clear up took place on Saturday 22nd November, and mainly involved leaf sweeping in some very seasonal rain! The following day, Will Hazelwood, the Bishop​
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ALL SAINTS CHURCH, BLACKHAM
All Saints Church, Blackham is open at weekends between Easter and Harvest, and for services.