CREATIONTIDE 2025
To end the season of Creationtide, here is a final prayer and artwork created by a year 6 pupil at one of our diocesan schools... |
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Clergy Gather to Share Ideas for Engaging Young People & Families |
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The ‘Growing Younger Day’ at St Boniface Church welcomed clergy, lay ministers, school chaplains, youth, children and family workers for a day of learning and encouraging, to build relationships, to share ideas, to listen to one another and to God. Martha Lloyd, Kids Pastor at Lords Hill Church in Southampton, said, “I think that kids and youth are so important to the future of the church and it's really important to see what other people are doing but also spur one another on." |
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New 'Difference Course' Launched at Lambeth Palace |
A new Difference Course for Schools was launched last week, a free suite of resources for schools that aim to embrace difference and to champion hope and empathy in a divided world. St James CofE School Pokesdown and South Baddesley CofE School were in the international pilot. St James’ Headteacher Alistair Brown spoke at the launch, along with three of the pupils – one of whom opened the event in prayer. Several of the Diocesan Education Team attended, and will shortly be encouraging all schools to participate! Find out more >>> |
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Celebrating 100 Years of the Anglican Church in Rwanda |
Bishop Rhiannon and representatives from churches across our diocese travelled to Rwanda to mark 100 years of the Anglican Church. Several parishes within our diocese have long-standing links with Rwanda, so it was also an opportunity to visit their mission partners, to see the work being carried out in God’s name and to share times of prayer and worship together. |
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Hordle Church Awarded Eco Church Silver Award |
All Saints’ Church is delighted to have achieved a Silver Eco Church award, which represents a significant milestone for the community and is a testament to what can be achieved when a small group of committed individuals prayerfully step out in faith to honour their Creator! |
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Alton Primary School Receives Eco-Schools Green Flag |
Pupils at St Lawrence CE Primary School have been taking the lead in promoting sustainability and raising environmental awareness across their school community. Their outstanding efforts have now been recognised with the prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag accreditation. |
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Resources for Black History Month 2025 |
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October marks the start of Black History Month in the UK, an opportunity to share, celebrate and understand the impact of black heritage and culture in the UK. This year's theme is 'Standing Firm in Power and Pride', a powerful tribute to the resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment to progress that defines the Black community across the globe. Find events around the diocese, resources, and book reviews below. Watch this space for more resources throughout the month. |
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Watch a Video Exploring Heritage and Racial Justice |
Watch this video to hear from Stephen Bennett, a member of our Racial Justice Advisory Group, who reflects on his heritage and the Church’s responsibility to engage with racial justice today. |
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Correction: Please note that the Be Still, Be Silent book launch, taking place at St Lawrence Church Winchester, is on 10 October at 2pm. |
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Could Your Church Hold a 'Light Up A Life' Service? |
A 'Light Up A Life' service offers people the opportunity to come together and remember a loved one by lighting a candle in their memory. Mountbatten Hampshire are inviting churches and community groups to host their own services throughout the month of December, and are happy to provide support and resources - get in touch here. All are welcome to attend their service at Mountbatten Hospice in West End on 14 December. |
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The Joy of Christmas - 2025 Resources |
The Church of England’s Advent and Christmas theme for 2025 revolves round a single word - joy! Resources include an illustrated retelling of the Christmas story, daily reflections, and meditations for Christmas.
A reminder for churches hosting Christingle services this year to register the service on The Children's Society website which can provide you with lots of information and support. |
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Resources for Sight Loss Sunday 2025 |
Sunday 12 October 2025
Sight Loss Sunday is an initiative by Torch Trust, an organisation dedicated to enabling blind and partially sighted people to encounter Jesus and grow in their faith. Sight Loss Sunday is a great opportunity to celebrate those who are blind and partially sighted in our congregations and communities; and to equip the church to achieve its aim of welcoming all of God’s people. |
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Church Action on Poverty Sunday |
19 October 2025
The theme for this year's Church Action on Poverty Sunday is 'Dreams and Realities', based on a powerful portrait project involving people living in deep hardship in Britain today.
Participating churches are sent discussion ideas, worship materials and new prayers, to support churchgoers to give, act and pray together to support community and church projects. |
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Bishop Philip and Bishop Rhiannon are delighted to welcome Sue Cooke, a gifted communicator and national trainer from Leading Your Church Into Growth (LyCiG), as our guest speaker for this autumn’s Bishop’s Study Day. LyCiG has inspired thousands of church leaders across the UK to grow churches that are confident, prayerful, and outward-looking. |
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Events Around the Diocese |
2 October, 2pm, Old Alresford Place |
7 October, 2pm, St Mark's Church Southampton |
11 October, 11am, Winchester Cathedral |
14 October, 8:15am, Old Alresford Place |
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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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September/October Starters |
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On 15 September, Revd Jennifer Wright was licensed as the new Rector of Farleigh, Candover and Wield. She said,
"I have come to learn that the thing that keeps me going each day is my love of Jesus. In my future ministry as Rector in Winchester Diocese I hope to resonate that love through my ministry ... Please pray for me, my family and the parishes of Farleigh, Candover and Weild in the coming months as we settle and get to know each other, and listen to where God is calling us to join in with His work." |
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On 29 September, the Revd Canon Peter Harwood was licensed as the new Rector of Andover Benefice. He said, "I’ve been serving as Director of Mission in the Diocese of Guildford. Previously, I was an incumbent for 17 years, and before that, I was a medical doctor caring for people with AIDS. Along the way, I’ve discovered a real heart for helping churches grow in faith, confidence, and mission. I’m looking forward to getting to know the people and communities of Andover, building strong relationships across the parish, and seeing how we can grow together in faith and service over the coming years. Please pray for wisdom and grace as I step into this new role, for my family as we settle into a new home and community, and for the parish as we begin this new chapter together." |
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Hear from the new clergy who joined us in September here >>>
The Revd Ranjan Emmanuel, who is currently a training curate in our diocese, will be licensed as Assistant Curate of Yateley on 12 October. The Revd Vanessa Lawrence, currently Vicar of Ampfield, Chilworth and North Baddesley, will be leaving her current role to become the Chaplain at the University of Winchester. |
The Revd Canon Mike Powis will be stepping down from his role as Assistant Area Dean of Bournemouth, though he will continue as Vicar of the Benefice of Bournemouth All Saints. We are enormously grateful to him for the time he has dedicated to the role of Assistant Area Dean.
The Revd Christine Divall, currently Trust Chaplain for Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust (Winchester), will be retiring at the end of this month, as will the Revd Gillian Wilton, currently Associate Minister in the North Hampshire Downs benefice. |
We are sad to share that Martin Neary, Master of the Music at Winchester Cathedral between 1972 and 1988, has died on Saturday 27th September aged 85 years. He was responsible for raising the levels of excellence in the music and choirs and left a huge legacy. He moved to Westminster Abbey and served there from 1988 to 1998. See his obituary in the Church Times here.
It is with sadness that we share the news that the Revd Canon Robert Tearee died on 29 September. Robert spent most of his ministry in our diocese, as a parish priest, Chaplain to King Alfred's College at Winchester University, and he was a true 'partner in the gospel' in our link province of Myanmar, visiting numerous times, and serving on our Overseas Churches Panel for many years. |
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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