Arundel Church of England School

Education has always been close to the heart of the Church, and Arundel Church of England School is close to the heart of our parish life. The school works tirelessly to give our children an excellent education in a caring Christian environment.

A rich and dynamic curriculum feeds and nurtures our children so they can develop a lifelong love of learning whilst an emphasis on worship, religious education and caring for one another develops their spiritual awareness. To find out more about the school, which was judged ‘outstanding’ in its last Church School Inspection, please visit the website at www.arundelchurchofenglandschool.org.uk

FEAST (For Education And Social Transformation) – an aid project in Tamil Nadu, Southern India

“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25.40)

St Nicholas’ supports an aid charity in southern India called FEAST. Founded by Fr Jeremias George, the charity seeks to help the poorest in society and transform the lives of children by supporting their education. Sponsors provide a child with a school uniform, schoolbooks and stationary. They also help to ensure that children are able to remain in school rather then being forced to work to support their families. The project has been running as a trust since 1998 and to date has helped over 20,000 people.

In addition to helping children with their education, FEAST also invites people to ‘adopt-a-Granny’. Many families do not have the means to feed their children, let alone elderly relatives, so often widows are neglected and left to fend for themselves, often finding themselves homeless and forced to beg. FEAST helps to ensure that the elderly are not an unbearable burden on their families by providing some financial help and 2 kilo of rice per month.

If you are interested in helping to transform someone’s life, please contact the Parish Office who will be able to put you in touch with our FEAST coordinator or go to the FEAST website at www.feastindia.org.uk .

Ecumenical link with Stegaurach, Germany

“May they all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us.” (John 17.21)

Sadly, owing to various cultural and theological differences, Christianity has become divided over the centuries. Following our Lord’s prayer in John chapter 17, however, it is essential that Christians work towards visible unity.

St Nicholas’ is proud, therefore, that it has a thriving and enthusiastic link the Roman Catholic parish of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, in Stegaurach, a small town on the outskirts of the medieval city of Bamberg in Bavaria, Southern Germany. Many visits have taken place since the summer of 2003 and life-long friendships have been formed.

The Alternatives

The Alternatives is a popular local rock band that grew out of St Nicholas’ church. Playing rock favourites from the 60s and 70s, the band has been delighting audiences in Arundel and further afield since 2005.

Initially formed to perform a one-off fund-raising concert for the church, the band has gone from strength to strength over the years and now supports a number of local charities in addition to its ongoing support for St Nicholas’. For more information, to check out the band’s recordings, or to book them for your own function, please visit the band’s website www.thealternatives.org.uk.

The Hanover Band

The Hanover Band has made St Nicholas’ its home. Founded in 1980 by its Artistic Director, Caroline Brown, the orchestra is widely considered to be one of the finest period instrument orchestras in the country.

As well as being dedicated to giving outstanding performances, the orchestra is also committed to enthusing the next generation of musicians through their education work. Regular concerts are given in St Nicholas’ church. For more information please go the orchestra’s website www.thehanoverband.com.

St Nicholas’ Barbershop Quartet

St Nicholas’ Barbershop Quartet was formed in 2011 by four members of St Nicholas’ choir, Will Spurway, Caspian Ashworth, Terry Tunmore and Richard Catchpole.

The quartet, which sings both a cappella and accompanied, regularly sings at events in and around Arundel. To discover more about the quartet please visit their website at www.stnicholas-barbershop.org.uk