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Message from the Diocesan Secretary |
Statistics for Mission
Each year we ask all parishes to submit their Statistics for Mission, a large range of stats, measuring weekly attendance, number of baptisms etc. across our diocese. These are collated nationally and reviewed.
The national Team have recently shared the provisional 2024 figures which show some really encouraging news for our Diocesan Community. |
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- Our total Worshipping Community increased by 6.8% between 2023 and 2024 (national average was a 1.2% increase)
- Child Usual Sunday Attendance (USA) was up 10.2%.
These are provisional figures and may change as further data checks are carried out, but this does show some exciting signs of growth which we give thanks for.
Colin Harbidge |
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Churches Ask for God’s Blessing on Rogation Sunday |
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Rogation is celebrated by many parishes, especially in rural areas, to seek God’s blessing on the community, the land, the crops and animals. We heard from several churches, including St Andrew’s Owslebury, St James’ Church Beauworth, and St Mary’s Church Sholing, who 'beat the bounds' on Rogation Sunday this year! |
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Doves of Peace Take Flight in University Chapel |
1,000 paper Doves of Peace have been suspended from the ceiling of the University of Winchester chapel, in an art installation which aims to bring hope for the future. The doves were created by students, staff, and members of local churches, schools and community groups, with the hope that the movement will spread! |
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Beacon Café Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary |
This month, it was with great joy that the Parish of Chandler’s Ford marked 10 years of the Beacon Café, the name of which was chosen as it was intended to be a beacon of light shining out to the community of Chandler's Ford. The parish gave thanks to God for His faithfulness, and offered a big ‘thank you’ to all who help to make Beacon Café a success! |
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Have Your Say - Contribute to the Bigger Picture! |
Hear from past recipients of national church funding and the impact it left on several of our parish communities, as well as Katie Ash, church Children's Worker and Diocesan Project Manager, sharing how we can contribute our thoughts and ideas to the future plans for further funding. |
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Have Your Church Completed Energy Footprint Tool? |
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Thank you so much to everyone who has already filled out the Energy Footprint Tool (EFT)! It’s a great way for your parish to continue caring for God’s creation. The above chart shows the results by deanery so far - if your parish hasn’t completed it yet, it’s not too late! The EFT closes on 30 June and can be filled out through the Parish Returns system.
The EFT is a good way for your parish to assess your own energy usage and see any progress you make in energy savings each year. It’s also helpful for the diocesan and national environment teams, who support parishes to make these savings with practical help and grants. If you have any questions or would like help filling out the EFT, please contact Sam Scott.
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Messy Momentum is BRF Ministries’ exciting new Messy Church project, which aims to enable Messy Churches across the UK to grow in their engagement with young people and to establish 300 new Messy Churches in three years. They have a series of launch meetings between 3 June and 11 July to explain more! |
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Become: Theology and Leadership Course |
An accessible theology and leadership course, Become is a series of 10 free sessions from CCX that equips anyone from an estate or low income community with the tools needed to serve their communities or estate churches, or play their part in church planting. |
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Take Part in Volunteers' Week
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2-8 June 2025
Volunteers’ Week is an annual UK-wide campaign, held to celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers. It's a great opportunity to celebrate all the volunteers within your church community, thanking them for all they do to support the church.
Find out ways to get involved and access resources below. |
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Learn More About Jane Austen's Family |
5 July, 6pm, St Nicholas Church, Steventon
9 August, 12:30pm, Jane Austen's House, Chawton
The Rt Revd Christopher Herbert, Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Guildford, will be giving talks locally on an upcoming biography of Jane Austen's brother. Henry Austen was ordained in Winchester Diocese, served as a Curate at Chawton, was briefly Rector of Steventon, as well as playing the role of Jane's literary agent. |
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All Parish Administrators and Operations Managers are invited to join us for our Parish Admin Day, a chance for us to offer both guidance and support in day-to-day parish administrative activities, and a great opportunity for everyone to get together, network and exchange experiences! |
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Vigil of Prayer for Israel and Gaza |
Winchester Cathedral will be open on Monday 2 June at 6:30pm, for a quiet vigil of prayer and reflection for the current situation in Israel and Gaza. Join others in praying for peace, lighting a candle, and sitting together in the silence. |
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Events Around the Diocese |
4 June, 2pm, Old Alresford Place |
11 June, 8:15am, St Mark's Kempshott |
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17 June, 8:15am, All Saints, St Leonards & St Ives |
19 June, 10am, Old Alresford Place |
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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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Copyright © 2025 Diocese of Winchester, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this message because you are: an office holder in the Diocese of Winchester; a member of church staff in the diocese (including PCC members); or you have opted in to receive emails from the diocese via our website.
Our mailing address is:
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