Mossy Church & Cairn
Each year parishes are invited to make a pledge to the PSF which is realistic, challenging, and generous. These pledges fund our shared mission in each community in every part of the Diocese of Southwark.
St Peter and Paul, Chaldon
St Peter and Paul, Chaldon is internationally renowned for the twelfth-century wall painting on the west wall of the church, and the church is mentioned in the Domesday book. It is a net receiver of PSF funds, but its own contribution has been growing. Vicar Rev Helen Burnett talks about the work the church carries out with the help of the PSF.
The Church building
Helen believes the church building itself has a ministry: ‘The upkeep of the church building and the keeping of it as an open and welcoming space is very important to us as a parish. People walk into the church, not for worship or as practising Christians, but whatever draws visitors in once they cross the threshold, they get a powerful sense not just of the history, but of the current mission of the church. This can be really important and meaningful outreach and people often report on the impact of crossing the threshold.’
‘We have a mural on the west wall that dates to 1140 that was covered up in the Reformation There are deep, deep roots in that place, which I think touches people. The stones have received the prayers of the faithful and the doubting and the and I think that speaks to people.’
Firepit
Children
Mossy Church is the name given by Helen to the children’s monthly ‘forest church’ sessions: ‘We gather around a fire pit, which in the summer becomes a sand pit. We have a very simple liturgy and try to relate what’s happening inside with the adult congregation to what the children are doing outside immersed in the natural world. I also lead collective worship once a week at the school and I support with their RE curriculum. The schoolchildren walk down to visit the church as well.’
Climate Emergency
Helen is also a member of the Eco Diocese Working Group and feels this has helped grow the church: ‘Because of my involvement with climate activism, people do associate Chaldon Church with this and we’ve become a hub for climate justice issues. Our connection with climate has also featured in books and articles.’
Pilgrims at the gate
Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage is important to the life of the parish: ‘I’ve just come back from our 8th annual parish pilgrimage. We are at the halfway point on the ancient Pilgrim Way from Winchester to Canterbury. We have a dedicated area in the church with information and refreshments for pilgrims who are walking the pilgrim way. We’re also a pilgrim overnight sanctuary, now registered with the British Pilgrimage Trust.’
The PSF
The PSF makes an important contribution to St Peter and Pauls, Helen believes that: ‘What PSF gives to us is the capacity to be, to maintain and hopefully improve a really special sacred place that will speak to people of all faiths and none, and draw people into the faith and see a witness to faith in action and that’s undoubtedly the case.’
