The lead up to Christmas 2021 has been dusted with a bit of mystery. The mystery of whether there will be turkey on the table, whether there will be toys under the tree, whether we will be able to see the people we love, whether we will be able to have our ‘usual’ Christmas traditions.

The first Christmas itself was also filled with mystery. Who was this child who had been born in a stable and visited by shepherds and magi? This child is Jesus.

Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph, had been pulled away from the comfort of their home and traditions to travel to Bethlehem where Mary then gave birth.

Mary and Joseph may have felt frightened or anxious about all the changes in their lives, but they knew this mysterious baby was important for the world. Jesus brings PEACE to those who are troubled, HOPE to those who are despairing, JOY to those who are sad, and LOVE to everyone.

We wish you the PEACE, HOPE, JOY and LOVE of Jesus this Christmas.

We have some exciting news to share!
​A community access defibrillator has been installed outside the church by the entrance door to the halls. 
The church has been fundraising for this for over a year and it was a focus of our Celebrate80 celebrations. 

We hope it never has to be used, but that the quicker a defibrillator is used if someone has a cardiac arrest, the greater the chances of survival. If you think you need to use it, call 999, and the operator will give you the access code.

​Thank you to:
- Gloria Moss from Felpham Parish Council for a huge amount of guidance and support she's given us.
- everyone who has contributed to the fundraising effort by donating time or money.
- the family and friends of Barbara Taylor, a member of our church family, who donated to the fund in her memory.

Why has the church worked so hard to install a Defibrillator?

Our mission statement is Discovering God, Welcoming All, Serving the Community.

Discovering God - We believe God made us all and asks us to care for one another. 

Welcoming All - We believe that God loves us all and asks the church to be welcoming and hospitable and take everyone's safety into account. You don't need to belong to the church or even enter the church building to use the Defibrillator, it can be accessed by anyone in the community.

Serving the Community - We want to serve the community with all our resources - people, skills, money and building. We try to spread hope, peace and love.

​Click to Watch Rev Dan's announcement on our Facebook page 
​

Read the latest blogs at ​https://revdanbalsdon.com/

TO LEAVE AND REMAIN… Part 1
The sky turned black.
The world watched…. and waited.
Jesus’ time seemed to be up.
He’d gathered with his friends, shared their final meal together.
“I will soon have to leave you” he said.
He’d gone to pray in the garden,
“Father, let this suffering leave me” he prayed.
Then he was betrayed.
handed over, put on trial.
His disciples scattered, leaving Jesus alone.
‘Crucify Him’ the crowd shouted.
So he was. Stripped. Flogged.
Marched up the hill.
And there, there he was killed.
Hung from a cross and left to die.
Jesus had left.
His followers lost.
What to do now that Jesus no longer remained with them?

​TO LEAVE AND REMAIN… Part 2
The Sun rose.
The world awoke.
Another day.
The past week’s event almost forgotten.
Not for his followers.
The women gathered early.
Jesus might have left, but his body remained.
So they headed out to the tomb.
When they got there, the stone had moved and the body was gone.
All that remained were the burial clothes.
Now nothing remained. All had been taken.
And then, as Mary sat weeping,
Jesus appeared.
Alive.
He didn’t leave.
Somehow he remained.
Mary ran to the others, told them Jesus lived.
They struggled to believe.
And then, then Jesus appeared.
I am alive, he declared.
“Now I must leave, I can’t be with you in person any longer.
But my Spirit will remain with you always.”
To this day, by his Spirit, Jesus remains.
Transforming lives and communities through his unconditional love,
and longing for us to remain in him and experience his love

​  About 2000 years ago, a baby boy was born in Bethlehem, and placed in a manger because there was no room in the inn. Most people in Bethlehem that night slept, unaware of what was occurring just around the corner. 2000 years later, who would have imagined that a baby boy placed in a manger would continue to have such an impact on individuals and communities.
 
  Across the world, communities and even families Christmas traditions are aplenty. For me and my family, we would always cross our arms to pull crackers before we tucked into our Christmas dinner, my Gran would always give us a sugar mouse, and (unless it was pouring with rain!!) we always went for a Christmas Day afternoon walk – to burn off some of the turkey dinner if nothing else!
 
  Sometimes it’s the little, somewhat insignificant things that actually hold significance. A bit like how a baby placed in a manger passed many people by that night, little and insignificant. And yet, in time, the boy grew up and became significant, and continues to be for many today.
  So however you are celebrating Christmas this year, remember that even little things can hold great significance.
  I pray you all have a very Happy Christmas, and blessed 2019.
 Rev Dan

​Hello! My name’s Dan and I’ve recently joined the community at Felpham Methodist Church as minister here (as well as being minister at Bognor Regis and Westergate Methodist Churches too). I’ve moved here with my wife, Louise, and 2 children and we are all excited to be living near the sea. We're also excited to be meeting and getting to know the people at Felpham Methodist Church and the Felpham community.
 
I’m what the Methodist Church calls a ‘probationer’ which means I’m still learning and training! I’ve moved here straight from Birmingham, having spent 2 years studying at The Queens Foundation, in readiness for my first appointment. Over the next 2 years I will be continuing studying alongside my work in the churches here, and God willing will be ordained in the summer of 2020.
 
In the meantime, I’m looking forward to getting to know the community of Felpham, exploring the future together and hearing more about what goes on in the church and community here, while hopefully getting involved too!
 
Felpham Methodist Church has much to offer, from groups and events for young people, to the ‘coffee stop’ community drop in (with homemade cakes!). Please do take a look around our website which we continue to update and develop to share all that is happening in the life of this community. You will always find a warm and loving welcome at Felpham Methodist Church, because we firmly believe that just as God’s love extends to everyone, we should live that out in the welcome we give to those we meet.
 
If you ever have questions about Church, Christianity, faith, would like to meet with me or one of the Churches ministry team, or are interested in coming along to something but a bit nervous about coming for the first time, please feel free to get in touch with me for a chat. I’d love to hear from you.
In Christ,
Rev Dan