Led by Revd Canon Christopher Irvine and Laura Moffatt      This seminar will explore the dramatic resurrection narrative in Matthew's Gospel in relation to three striking works of art, - the famous Anastasis Icon, the classic depiction of Christ rising from the tomb by Piero della Francesca, and a contemporary artwork by Richard Long. The seminar will conclude with an introduction to the work of Art and Christianity, particularly its gallery of over 100 new works of art in churches and in offering advice on commissioning art in places of worship. This online seminar will be led by Revd Canon Christopher Irvine, interim CMD Officer who has written about the cross in art, and Laura Moffatt, the Director of Art and Christianity. Pic Credit: 'Stone House (Bonnington) by Andy Goldsworthy (2009). Photo: Christopher Irvine'.

An online course for all lay people.Saturday 18th April 2026 (10 am - 11.30 am) and Saturday 25th April 2026 (10 am - 11.30 am) Session 1 - A Big Vision for Small Groups: Deciding the purpose of your small group Growing Together in God's Word: How to Prepare and Lead a Bible Study Session 2 - Living Together in God's Love: Pastoral Care in Your Small Group Learning Together as God's People: Connecting with one another and with God so that we grow (Lent courses, book groups; prayer in small groups)

Led by Canon Peter Sills Although placed first in the New Testament, Matthew’s Gospel was the second to be written. Composed around AD70 for a Jewish Christian community, possibly situated in Syria, it has a distinctive style and layout. The first Zoom seminar, 20 Nov 2025, explored when, why and by whom the Gospel was written, the sources on which it is based, its distinctive features, and its major themes. This second seminar, will look more closely at Matthew’s teaching and his picture of Jesus. Canon Peter Sills, formerly Vice-Dean of Ely, is a retired priest and pilgrimage guide attached to the Beacon Parish of Ditchling, Streat & Westmeston. He is the author of several books, including Six Steps Into The Bible, written for those who want to get under the skin of the Bible and deepen their understanding of the scriptures: www.peter-sills.co.uk/courses

A day for anyone wondering whether God is calling them to ordained minister in the church of England.

Commissioning of Authorised Lay Ministers by The Right Reverend Ruth Bushyager, Bishop of Horsham, during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Saturday, May 9th, 11am, Chichester Cathedral.

Led by Revd Canon Christopher Irvine. This seminar coincides with the publication of the Oxford Handbook of Common Prayer. Anglicans are people not of one, but of two books, the Bible and an authorized Prayer Book. In this seminar we will explore what it means to have a book of authorized services (BCP/CW) and what this may say about who we are as a Church, and why it matters. Zoom detail will be circulated nearer the event.

Overview: Speaking Up for Creation. Keynote Speaker: Using Our Voices for Creation, led by Polly Eaton, Eco Diocese Officer, Eco Church, A Rocha UK. Please bring your own lunch, reusable cup and water bottle. Hot and cold drinks, cake and biscuits provided. Hearing loop, disabled access and facilities. Agenda: 9.30 Registration and Refreshments 10.00 Worship led by Rev Buff Forbes Stone, Rev Zoe Eborn and Young People from St Peter’s 10.35 Using our Voices For Creation: Polly Eaton Eco Church 11.15 Coffee Break 11.45 Workshop 1 12.30 Lunch Break 1.30 Workshop 2 2.15 Comfort break 2.25 Workshop 3 3.10 Tea Break 3.30 Final Session, blessing and depart. Organiser - Rev Buff Forbes Stone, Diocesan Environment Officer. environment.officer@chichester.anglican.org 07954 652824. Register and refreshments from 9.30am for 10.00am start. Choose 3 of 8 Workshops: 1. Working with Climate Stewards: Gareth Martin, Chair of Climate Stewards Trustees and Net Zero Carbon Officer, Chichester Diocese 2. Net Zero Buildings: Brian Kilkelly, Net Zero Carbon Officer for Schools, Chichester Diocese 3. Race, Climate, and Survival: Vitalis Ngwambi, Researcher and Diocesan Racial Justice Co-Ordinator, Chichester Diocese. 4. Helping Your Church Talk About Climate: Amber Jackson, Communications Officer, Chichester Diocese. 5. Going for Gold Workshop: Polly Eaton, Eco Diocese Officer, A Rocha. 6. St Nicholas Children's Home - an African environmental reality: Peter Schofield and Lionel Whatley, Trustees of Friends of St Nicholas Children’s Centre, Nakuru, Kenya. 7. Why we should care about Rivers, Seas and Ocean: Gonzalo Alvarez, United Nations Association UK Oceanographer. 8. Meditative Walk round St Peter’s Churchyard: Barbara Echlin, Green Christian Vice Chair, Rev’d Zoe Eborn, Curate at St Peter’s Bexhill. How do you want to get there? By Road: Church Street is opposite the Manor Barn Car Park which RingGo Code: 15626, price £6.75 over 4 hours. (postcode for your satnav is TN40 2HA) in De la Warr Road. By Rail: Bexhill Railway Station lies between Eastbourne and Hastings. Turn left when leaving the station booking office, cross the road toward St. Mary Magdalen RC Church and then walk up for 10 mins to the top of the hill or catch the bus for one stop. The station bus stop lies to the right of the station when leaving the booking hall. By Bus: Stagecoach buses numbers 98/99 run past Church Street with very convenient stops very near. The 99 Bus runs three times an hour in either direction and the 98 bus runs half hourly.

As part of the Year of Matthew seminars, Chichester Diocese. Led by Dr Ian Boxall. Matthew’s stories of Jesus’ ancestry, birth, escape from a tyrannical ruler and return to his homeland (Matt 1-2), have shaped the Christian imagination across the centuries, leaving a footprint in preaching, hymnody, art, and Christian discipleship. This seminar will explore how this multilayered infancy narrative functions in Matthew’s Gospel, and consider examples of its rich reception, including by visual artists, and the significance of these stories for us today. Zoom detail will be confirmed nearer the date.

Focal Ministry and Anglican Ecclesiology: Re-imagining Parish Ministry in a Mixed Economy Church. Focal Ministry has emerged within the Church of England as a response to changing patterns of parish life, declining clergy numbers, and the development of a mixed economy church. This seminar explores Focal Ministry through the lens of Anglican ecclesiology, asking how it correlates and reshapes understandings of parish, priesthood and presence. Drawing on theology and practice, it considers whether Focal Ministry represents a departure from traditional ecclesiological structures, or a deeper reimagining of inherited models for contemporary Anglicanism.

• The new ecumenical feast of God the Creator in Christ. This seminar will present the theological rationale for the feast and will introduce the new prayers and selection of biblical readings that the Church of England will provide for us to celebrate the feast. Led by Christopher Irvine - a member of the Assisi Conference working group and a consultant to the Liturgical Commission. Zoom detail will be circulated nearer the event.

There is an old saying that “you cannot create a first impression twice”, and so it is with any community, any parish. A visitor’s or a new parishioner’s view of the community around them is significantly shaped by the presence or absence of a welcoming atmosphere when they enter a church for the first time. Although the Ministry of Welcome, extends to all members of the community, a special responsibility falls on those who have come forward, or feel called, for this Ministry – very often the first people that a stranger will meet or speak to when entering the church for the first time – and you cannot create a first impression twice. Come and join this session to learn through sharing and fellowship how we can ensure a warm and "safe" welcome to all who enter our churches, whether new or seasoned church members - both in a practical and spiritual way. All are welcome! Please bring your own lunch. Led by Hazel Pudney, Warden for Lay Ministry ALM (Worship & Liturgy) and Churchwarden at Holy Trinity Church, Bosham.