Chichester Cathedral is delighted to present The Chichester Nativity, a major new art installation which heralds the heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic from the local community and across the Diocese of East and West Sussex.

The artwork will be presented in the Cathedral to mark the period of Advent and Christmas and depicts a unique presentation of the Nativity story for 2020. Created by Visual Arts Advisor and Curator Jacquiline Creswell, and Artist and Photographer Ash Mills, it is an immersive photographic installation sharing the familiar story of the Nativity in the style of a renaissance tableau.

Characters in the scene have been drawn from local organisations, charities and medical services and paired symbolically to the roles within the Nativity, with angels acting as guardians of health and wellbeing; shepherds as providers of food and resources; the Magi as people who have learned from experience and are now leaders of their community. Each participant was photographed individually, before being edited into the composite image. Participating organisations include: BBC Radio Sussex, the Bell Tower Drop-In, Chichester District Foodbank, Chichester Festival Theatre, Heart, Sanctuary in Chichester, Stagecoach, Stonepillow, Wellington Grange and West Sussex NHS Partnership.

The photographic artwork is printed onto sheer voile banners and hung principally above the Cathedral’s historic Arundel Screen, leading into the Nave and Baptistry. In the arches on either side of the Arundel Screen we see a traditional scene of Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus surrounded by shepherds; the arch on the opposite side of the Screen is filled with scenes and characters in the story. One large banner is located above the Arundel Screen, with characters in the story pointing to the new born child. The Star of Bethlehem is represented with an image of the recent Neowise comet which visited close by the earth during lockdown and the artwork also incorporates part of Chichester’s 540 year old Market Cross.

Help with access to Universal Credit 2020

Help with access to Universal CreditOne of the consequences of Covid has been its massive impact on the economy.
More and more people are having to seek help, often for the first time in their lives.
Understanding the workings of Universal Credit, however, can be a bit of a battle.
Fortunately, the Together in Sussex website has put together some very helpful information: https://togetherinsussex.org.uk/whats-new/universal-credit

Kathryn and Jacquie’s sponsored slim 2020

It’s back!!!
It’s time to get the vicar slimmer!!
Thank you for all your sponsorship and donations so far towards Kathryn and Jacquie’s sponsored slim.
The slim begins now and will end on Easter Day, 4 April 2021.
The money raised will be split 50/50 between Church funds and The Children’s Society.
As you will be aware from the news, all charities have been hit hard by Covid-19 and restrictions on fundraising.
This is our way of doing something to help others as we get ourselves a bit fitter and healthier.
Please support us as much as you can.
Email me with your name, amount per pound or total, and whether you are able to Gift Aid your donation at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
There will usually be a hard copy available in Church and at the Rectory Office but this is not possible at the moment.
People can sponsor us individually or together.
Many, many thanks. Kathryn and Jacquie

PARISH VISITING TEAM 

The St Mary’s Parish Visiting Team contact is Sonia Fox (745703).
Please contact Sonia if you would like to arrange for someone on the team to either speak to you or visit you.