St Nicholas Time Line
Advent marks the beginning of the church year
Advent is a time for reflection in darkness, for renewal of hope and for a movement towards a beginning.
The season of Advent, as it first emerged in the Church in the fourth and fifth centuries, lasted, like Lent, for 40 days. Later tradition developed the Advent we know today, of four Sundays before Christmas Day.
It is a season of expectation and preparation as the Church prepares to celebrate the coming of Christ. Church decorations are simple and sparse, and purple is the traditional colour used.
Advent falls at the darkest time of the year, and the natural symbols of darkness and light are powerfully at work throughout Advent and Christmas.
Lord Jesus, Light of Light, you have come among us. Help us who live by your light to shine as lights in your world. Glory to God in the highest. Amen
If you would like to join us for worship during Advent or come to one of our Christmas Services, please see our Service Schedule for dates and times. You would be very welcome.
St Nicholas' News
Welcome to the online home of St Nicholas Church Thorney Island.
If you would like to donate to our Repair & Renovation Fund, you can do that here.
You can still refresh your memories by viewing the Gallery, our picture book and now short videos posted below. Find Fellowship & Meditations here .
The St Nicholas Time Line
Our Time Line Portal develops a synopsis of English history, alongside a Time-Line of Thorney Island and St Nicholas Church. Click the link below to enter the Time Line Portal. Our exhibition boards in the Vestry develop themes of interest. The boards can be viewed here.
We continue to collect Thorney stories and the history behind our artefacts, with web links to references though there's still a bit of work to do here. We hope these will flesh out the story of this corner of England to those who visit St Nicholas whether online or in actuality.
Most visits to St Nicholas are by foot along the Coastal Path from Prinsted or around from Emsworth - a journey into the remoter part of Chichester Harbour. Please respect the bird sanctuary on Pilsey Island. Do not be tempted onto the mud - it is treacherous.
Visits by car are only available through the military checkpoint and are usually only granted for those with a personal connection for the visit.
Remembering Andy Walkley
Our congregation was deeply saddened at the loss of our friend Andy Walkley.
Andy led the way in overseeing significant renovations to the church, the development of this site and the installation of our exhibition which you can enjoy online and in the church itself.
His dedication to the church community has not only preserved the history of the Church, but ensured that the worshipping life of the Church can continue.
For all of us who knew Andy his loss has been a deep shock and sadness, but we also give thanks for his life and the legacy he leaves.
We are in the parish of Southbourne with West Thorney. You can contact us through St John's, Southbourne, our Parish church c/o The Parish Office, St Johns Church Centre, Stein Road, Southbourne, Emsworth, Hamshire PO10 8LB.
Tel. 01243 375576 (Mornings) or admin@stjohnssouthbourne.com www.stjohnssouthbourne.com
