THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK FROM BISHOP KELLY |
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For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ (Galatians 5:14)
For the first time I find myself without an obvious ‘next door neighbour’. From the windows of my home I can see trees, diocesan offices, a church building, and occasionally deer, but no other homes, and no people. |
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The theme for this year's Racial Justice Sunday is Love Your Neighbour. We know that when Jesus summarised the law as being about love for God and love for neighbour he was not speaking about a literal person living ‘next door’.
The parable of the Good Samaritan is told to expand our understanding of who gets included in the definition of neighbour. What it requires of us is more than a functional compassion when we encounter need, but rather proximity to others in order that we understand our connectedness, honour our shared humanity and debunk the myth that difference is problematic.
As traditional neighbourliness diminishes within some communities it can cause us to make ‘other’ an increasing number of people because we no longer come close enough to notice what unites us.
The Kingdom vision Jesus invites us to share is one in which we cross roads and barriers and notice that the threat is not the one in need of our help, but rather our own isolation and fear. |
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Farewell and Good Luck to Archdeacon Jean! |
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It was a joy to gather over tea and cake to say goodbye Archdeacon Jean as she prepares to move on to her new role as Bishop of Grimsby. Jean has been a huge blessing to our diocese, offering kindness, straight-talking and strength to all. Please join us in praying for Jean as she is consecrated as a bishop on Friday and as she settles into her new role. |
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Celebrating the Gifts of Older People This Candlemas |
As well as celebrating Jesus as the 'Light of the World', Candlemas is an opportunity to celebrate the role of older people in our communities, following the biblical example of Simeon and Anna. Holy Epiphany Bournemouth and the Thorngate & Blackwater Benefice celebrated the ministry of and to older people this Candlemas, from an intergenerational interview to the commissioning of a new Anna Chaplain! |
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A Weekend of Young People's Discipleship |
Over 200 young people from Southampton recently gathered for two faith-filled events, WinterFest and a student weekend away on the Isle of Wight. Student Worker Ed Davey said, "having an entire weekend that is based around spending time with God is just so powerful, not letting time with God be dictated by the stresses or anxieties of life." |
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Resources for Racial Justice Sunday 2026 |
8 February 2026
This year's Racial Justice Sunday theme is 'Love Your Neighbour', inviting us to reflect on how we welcome and include everyone in our communities, listen to and elevate marginalised voices, challenge racism when we encounter it, and model Christ’s compassion in worship, leadership and daily life. Find resources from CTBI here as well as liturgical resources here.
Four wonderful members of our Racial Justice Advisory Group filmed the video above, telling the parable of the Good Samaritan and challenging our communities to cross the road to heal and love our neighbours. |
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Lenten Programme of Lectures and Reflections |
This Lent, we’re teaming up with Winchester Cathedral to share a series of talks and short teaching videos about reconciliation. Together, we’ll be exploring what it means for us, as Christians, to follow Jesus’ example of bringing a divided humanity back together. Check out the programme! |
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Thy Kingdom Come 2026 Resources Launch |
24 February, 10am, Online
This year's Thy Kingdom Come resources are based on the theme of the presence of God through His Spirit – ‘God with Us’. Join the launch to learn more about the new print resources, 11 brand new daily films, and other resources. |
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Changes to Website Domain and Email Addresses |
From 16 February, the diocese will have a new web address, winchesterdiocese.org (although the old address will redirect to the new one for some time to come!). Similarly our email addresses will change to @winchesterdiocese.org - though for the next year emails sent to our old address will be forwarded to our new inboxes. So if you start getting emails from winchesterdiocese.org, it's not a scam! |
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9-13 February 2026
Next week, delegates from our diocese will be among those attending the General Synod of the Church of England. Items on the agenda include the proposals to conclude the Living in Love & Faith process, independence of safeguarding, the Clergy Conduct Measure, mental health and the Church, and poverty and the Church. Read more about it here, and check out the full agenda here. |
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Free Faith Security Training |
Delivered by CDS Support on behalf of the Home Office, Faith Security Training (FST) is a new free security awareness scheme designed specifically for faith communities. This training will help you strengthen security practices, mitigate threats, and ensure your places of worship remain safe and secure. |
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Join the Campaign About Child Exploitation |
The Children's Society runs an ongoing campaign called #LookCloser, in order to raise awareness of the signs of child exploitation and how to report it. Online seminars will take place throughout the year - the next one, entitled, 'The Digital Lives of Children and Young People', will be on 10 February, 10am-12pm. |
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Update on Bid for National Funding |
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We appreciate that this is much later than originally intended but we are working hard with the national team and our consultant to ensure our bid is received as well as it possibly can be. We will be consulting with different representative groups again on the revised strategy and plans in the coming months. Thank you for being patient and working with us as we navigate this process - your prayers and input are hugely appreciated. |
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Clergy Invited to Come Along to LLM Day |
28 February, 9:45, St Boniface Church, Chandler's Ford
Any clergy who were unable to attend the Bishop's Study Day in March are warmly invited to join us for the annual LLM Day, where the focus will be on Living in Love and Faith (LLF). Once more, the Revd Canon Professor Liz Stuart and Revd Dr Andrew Goddard will be in conversation, sharing their reflections, including on the most recent developments. Find out more >>> |
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With All Your Heart: A Retreat in Preparation for Lent |
14 February, 10am – 1pm, Online
Join Church Times for this online retreat in preparation for Lent with Malcolm Guite, David Ford, Carys Walsh, Julia Golding, and Simon Horobin, and with worship from St Martin-in-the-Fields, led by Richard Carter with the St Martin’s Voices. Find out more >>> |
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Events Around the Diocese |
7 February, 10am, Old Alresford Place |
12 February, 10am, Old Alresford Place |
25 February, 8:15am, St Mark's, Kempshott |
5 March, 9am, St Boniface Church, Chandler’s Ford |
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7 March, 10am, St Mark's Kempshott |
11 March, 8:15am, Christ Church Colbury |
11 March, 9am, Old Alresford Place |
18 March, 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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