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Welcoming the Next Bishop of Basingstoke! |
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Our next Bishop of Basingstoke, the Ven. Kelly Betteridge, spent Thursday 28 August travelling round the north of the diocese, meeting people from different communities. Kelly visited Burghclere community café at the Church of the Ascension, dropped in at ‘Operation Back to School’ at St John’s Hartley Wintney, saw the newly refurbished St Michael’s Church Basingstoke and toured the city centre with the chaplaincy team, before joining Evensong at Winchester Cathedral. Please pray for Kelly as she prepares to join us! |
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Summer Holiday Clubs Enjoyed By All Ages Across the Diocese |
Across the diocese, many churches held holiday clubs over the summer, with activities from crafts to wood rolling! And while most of these holiday clubs were aimed at children, the club at St Mary’s in Basingstoke was for people over the age of 60 - one participant said, “Normally you do these activities with your children and grandchildren, but you never get a chance to do it yourself, so it’s fun!” |
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Beaulieu Church Encourages Congregation to Go Digital! |
To encourage the congregation of Beaulieu Abbey Church, younger and older, in the use of a newly formed WhatsApp group, a tallest sunflower competition was launched! Over 120 sunflowers seedlings were distributed, with progress and final results posted on WhatsApp. Just like the parable, some were planted on rocky ground, some choked amongst weeds, and some flourished. The above photo shows Revd Catherine, Churchwarden David and Sunday school leader Shelia checking out some of the contestant’s entries! |
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Saying Farewell to Wendy Atkinson |
Last week, Wendy Atkinson, who has been an integral part of the Mission and Ministry Team, retired. Director of Mission and Ministry, Revd Dr Amy Roche, said, “Wendy has been part of the Mission and Ministry Team for 8 years, and her dedication to diocesan ministry through many significant transitions has been outstanding. As well as having been a caring and thoughtful team member, Wendy will be missed for her passion, her work and care for the people she has supported through her role.” |
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Milford on Sea Church Gives Blessings on the Beach |
All Saints in Milford on Sea took church onto the beach on a sunny Sunday morning to live out their vision of ‘sharing the love and life of Jesus’. Revd Tasha Anderson said, “It’s an opportunity to really live out our faith in a way that reaches out to our community.” |
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Bournemouth Church Holds VJ Day Street Party |
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, St James Pokesdown recreated a 1940s street party! Over 40 people enjoyed Spam and fish paste sandwiches, jelly and blancmange, with lots of tea! A sing-song of wartime music followed, and Harold William Bishop, of the parish, and listed on St James' WWII memorial plaque, was remembered. |
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Join Us for a Series of Net Carbon Zero Webinars |
This series of webinars, organised by the four dioceses of Guildford, Portsmouth, Chichester and Winchester, are to help churches move through their Net Zero journey, from audit to planning to action. All are welcome and attendance is free-of-charge, no booking needed! |
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We were recently informed of a serious data breach that has occurred involving Access Personal Checking Services (APCS) – the provider that our diocese and many others use to process online Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. There are urgent actions that parishes need to take - please see the information below and check emails including junk folders. |
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1 September - 4 October
This Creationtide, we're looking at different aspects of creation, considering what we can do to care for God's creation. Find the first reflection here - watch this space for more reflections!
The national church has also shared resources for the Great Switch for Creation, which encourages churches to switch to renewable energy by choosing a green energy tariff. Get the resources here >>> |
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Join a Free Discipleship Course |
From 14 September, 7:30pm
The Discipleship Course is a free online 12 week course about how to work with God to grow a Kingdom calling. Run by Revd Ed Dines, Vicar at St Barnabas Winchester, the course aims to teach the biblical theology of working with the Holy Spirit as well as giving opportunities to put this teaching into practise. |
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An Open Letter from +Philip |
Bishop Philip has written an open letter to survivors following a data breach by Kennedys Law LLP who administer the Church's Independent Redress Scheme. Bishop Philip Chaired the Redress Board, prior to the approval of the scheme at General Synod in July 2025. He states, "We know that this has negatively affected people and trust has been damaged, and we grieve that this has happened." |
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Save the Date: Homelessness Sunday |
5 October 2025
Homelessness Sunday, run by Housing Justice, is a chance for churches to reflect on the rising issue of rough sleeping – government figures show that on an average autumn night last year, around 1,322 people slept rough in the south of England. Churches are encouraged to hold their own service and use the resources to help communities take action. |
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Living Alongside Bats in Churches Grant Reopened |
The next round of the Living Alongside Bats in Churches grant is now open - the deadline for applications is 27 October 2025. Places of worship can apply for up to £1,000 to help manage bats at their church or to carry out nature inspired community engagement projects. |
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Planned Updates for Parish Giving Scheme Website |
The Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) is launching a new digital platform, going live on 1 October. This will mean the PGS website will be offline from 11 September until 1 October. Please download any needed reports you may require before the website goes offline. While the website is temporarily down, donors won't be able to amend their gifts but, should they wish to, can cancel their giving directly with their bank. |
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Join us on 27 September for an informative churchwarden training day - aimed at equipping our valued volunteers in their churchwarden duties and signposting towards further support, advice and resources. |
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6 September, 7pm, All Saints Odiham
The church youth group of All Saints Church, Odiham, is working hard to raise money for 'Pickups for Peace' which delivers vehicles and supplies to Ukraine. On 6 September they will be hosting a concert which will include music of a wide range of genres and delicious home-made interval refreshments.
You can also give directly to their Just Giving page here >>> |
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Save the Date - Winchester Green Week |
20-28 September 2025
Winchester Green Week is the chance to discover easy, every-day ways to reduce your impact on the planet, get inspired and immerse yourself in artistic responses to climate change, and take action against climate change alongside our community. Events include talks, fayres, and film screenings. |
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As Christians, we know Jesus had lots to say about our use of money and that we are called to act justly and speak out for change. Listen to a talk from Matt Ceaser, Movement Builder at JustMoney, about their vision of a world where money is used to shape a fairer, greener future for everyone. |
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Prayers for Peace in the Middle East |
International development agency Christian Aid is inviting people to join its monthly online event - Prayers for Peace in the Middle East. Christians from all over the UK have been taking part in the regular Zoom calls which happen on the 24th of each month. The next one takes place on 24 September from 2-3.30pm - the guest speaker will be Daoud Nassar from Tent of Nations, an educational and ecological farm in the hills of Bethlehem.
CTBI has also put out a call to prayer and public witness on 21 September, UN World Peace Day. Find out more and access resources here >>> |
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Events Around the Diocese |
24 September, 10am, St Boniface Church, Chandlers Ford |
27 September, 10am, Old Alresford Place |
2 October, 9am, Old Alresford Place |
2 October, 2pm, Old Alresford Place |
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14 October, 8:15am, Old Alresford Place |
18 October, 9:30am, St Boniface Church, Chandler's Ford |
21 October, 12:30pm, LOVECHURCH - St Swithun's Bournemouth |
21 October, 7pm, LOVECHURCH - St Swithun's Bournemouth |
22 October, 8:15am, Church Rooms, Christ Church, Colbury |
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On 3 September, Revd Dr Johannes Radvan became Priest in Charge of Bournemouth St Clement, where he was previously Assistant Curate, while the Revd Dr Tracey Villar, also Assistant Curate, was licensed as Associate Minister of the same parish.
On 15 September, Revd PJ Brombley Associate Minister, Basingstoke Parish, will be licensed as Vicar of Valley Park, and Revd Jennifer Wright, Assistant Curate, St Andrews, Porthill & St Barnabas Bradwell in the Diocese of Newcastle, will become Rector of Farleigh, Candover and Wield. On 16 September, Revd Jon Westall, presently Vicar of St Dunstan with St Thomas, East Acton, in the Diocese of London, will be licensed as Rector of Milton, and the following day, Revd Joel Wicks, Assistant Curate, Christ The Servant King, Hampton in the Diocese of Ely, will be licensed as Associate Minister of Totton and Calmore.
On 18 September, Revd David Reid, previously Associate Chaplain at Cranleigh School in the Diocese of Guildford, will be licensed as College Chaplain of Winchester College. Revd Claire Robinson, Assistant Curate, will be licensed as Associate Minister of Chandler's Ford on 24 September, and Revd Canon Peter Harwood, Director of Mission in the Diocese of Guildford, will be licensed as Rector of Andover on 29 September. |
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This month, Revd David Roberts, Associate Minister of Andover, will become Planting Curate at Holy Trinity Brompton in the Diocese of London, and Revd Heather Brearey will hold her last service as Rector of Arle Valley on 28 September.
Revd Sue Hart, currently Assistant Chaplain at The University of Winchester, will be moving to the Diocese of Salisbury to become Team Rector of The Savernake Team, and Revd Adrian Teare, Lead Chaplain at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust (Lyndhurst), will become Chaplain to the Forces. |
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On 1 September, Revd Liz Williams was licensed as Associate Priest of the Benefice of Hamble and Hound, at a service led by Bishop Geoff Annas. Revd Liz said, "Since ordination in 2021, I've served in a variety of different contexts; as a curate at St Luke's Hedge End, with an extended placement at St James West End, before moving to serve as Associate Priest at St Mary's Sholing. I also have been serving as Deputy Force Police Chaplain since 2018 and will continue in this role. I was encouraged by the representatives from each of these contexts supporting me at the licensing service. Please pray for me as I use the experiences gained in these contexts in the Benefice of Hamble and Hound where I will have a particular community focus, on schools, care homes, and pastoral care. Please also pray for Hayley and the existing team, in our ministry together." |
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Around the Diocese and Beyond... |
Do you have a vacancy you'd like us to share?
Get in touch with communications@winchester.anglican.org. |
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