A CHAIN of beacons will be lit across Sussex to mark the birthday of the church this weekend.

Beacons will light the night sky from West Wittering to Fairlight this Saturday to celebrate the flames of Pentecost.

The weekend will also see a number of public events organised by Diocese of Chichester churches to increase public engagement.

Dr Martin Warner, The Bishop of Chichester, said each parish was being asked to look at one way to “engage afresh” with their communities.

Beacons will be lit on West Wittering beach, Bognor seafront, Shoreham Beach and in Firle to celebrate the moment when the Holy Spirit came upon the church, shortly after the Ascension of Jesus.

Residents in Milland near Midhurst, Storrington and Hartfield will also see lit beacons while the beacon on East Hill above Hastings town centre will be lit at 8.50pm on Saturday.

Similar ceremonies on the same evening will be held at Fairlight and Staplecross.

Organisers say the beacon lighting will mark the launch of a diocesan-wide strategy to increase their outreach to local communities.

Events include Pentecost Praise at Wisborough Green on Saturday with a BBQ, bonfire and prayer balloons being released while The Big Church day out at Wiston will be lighting a cross on Sunday evening at Chanctonbury Ring.

More than 300 young people at The Diocesan May Camp at Plumpton will be celebrating with a finale surprise on Sunday evening, a fireworks display at Ardingly, a picnic at Hartfield and a Pentecost tea party at St Peter's in Chailey.

Dr Warner said: “The strategy for the Diocese is simple really.

“We are asking each parish in every community to look at one way in which they might engage afresh in the locality in which God has placed them.

“Parishes will respond very differently and that is the exciting aspect of what will be known as Know, Love, Follow Jesus -a title based on the historic prayer of St Richard of Chichester.”

Bishop of Lewes Richard Jackson said: “We are really delighted by the energy and vision put into a whole range of launch events to mark the new diocesan strategy and hope that people will enjoy and celebrate the birthday of the Christian Church during the Bank Holiday Weekend.”

A special leaflet explaining the scheme has been prepared for church members while a short video explaining the strategy will be shown in many churches.

Social media will also be engaged as thousands of followers of the Diocese of Chichester @chichesterdio will be able to join in the conversation #knowlovefollow.

BACKGROUND

Pentecost is the festival when Christians celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit.

It is celebrated on the Sunday 50 days after Easter and the name comes from the Greek word pentekoste meaning fiftieth.

The holiday is also known as Whitsun.

Pentecost is regarded as the birthday of the Christian church, and the start of the church's mission to the world.