Twenty six people recognised for Exceptional Contributions to Local Life across Sussex

Order of St Richard Recognises Exceptional Contributions to Local Life across Sussex

Hundreds of family members, friends and parishioners gathered in Chichester cathedral at the weekend for Evensong to witness the special occasion of twenty-six lay people admitted to the Order of St Richard by the Bishop of Chichester Dr Martin Warner.

The Order of St Richard was founded in 2019.The award is made in recognition of their exceptional Christian service in their deanery, parish, and local community.

The lay people from all four archdeaconries in the Diocese [Horsham, Brighton and Lewes, Hastings, and Chichester] each received a certificate signed by Bishop Warner, and a collarette/lanyard with the pin on it so they can wear it either with the pin or the pin on its own.

Recipients of the award spoke about what the service meant to them.

Vikki Cook is from St Mary the Virgin Church in Battle in East Sussex. She was nominated for her exceptional and faithful service to her church and community - all done with modesty and generosity. Vikki is involved with all aspects of church life, as Sacristan, Sunday School teacher, Mother’s Union Chair, she runs the St Mary’s Busy Bees Parent and toddler’s outreach. She is Mayor of Battle, Brown Owl, Guide Leader, and has a RACM medal. Vikki said she felt ‘very led, by the Holy Spirit, by God himself.’ She said it was a great honour to receive the order of St Richard. “If I can make life better for just one person it would all be worth it.”

John Philips, from St Mary Magdalen in Coldean, Brighton was nominated for his work with youth in the parish and diocese. He was surprised when he got the letter saying he had been nominated. He said: “I don’t think I’ve been awarded anything since I left university! I’ve been helping with the youth camp for thirty years since the early 1990s. when my daughter took part. It was clear the vicar needed some help cooking., and that is when my wife and I stepped in. I still get involved today although we don’t camp any more. I now run the information office.”

Penny Burton is a member of St Edward the Confessor Church in Burgess Hill. She was nominated by her vicar Jules Middleton, for being a key person in her church’s life for over 30 years and serving on the Deanery Synod. She said: “It was really great day. I think the thing that stands out for me is the personal touch Bishop Martin brought to the whole occasion. Thank you.

Felicity Furnee is a member of St John’s Burges Hill and was nominated by her Vicar David Charles  for her contribution to both the spiritual life of the parish but also outreach into the wider community. He said: “The way Felicity spent the day of the service itself epitomises why she was nominated. She spent the entire morning running her monthly church stall, on the street outside the church; after an hour’s break for lunch, she travelled to the Cathedral for the service; after a similarly short break back, she was at church all evening to support a concert we were hosting. Even in her eighties her energy knows no bounds!

“We were so proud and thrilled to see Felicity’s stalwart service acknowledged; powered by prayer and a passion for people, she has been such an unsung hero in the parish, for over 50 years.”