After a summer break, our weekly newsletter will return as normal in September! |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Outdoor Services Bring Worship into the Heart of Communities |
| |
|
|
|
From village greens to pub gardens, churches across the diocese have been taking worship outdoors this summer, creating opportunities for people to encounter God in community spaces. By holding services alongside popular local events, churches have also been able to welcome regular worshippers and newcomers alike. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
How GP Chaplaincy is Bringing Hope and Love to Patients |
After spending her career as a GP, Katie Warner sensed God calling her into a new ministry. Katie, who worships at St Francis Valley Park, is now a volunteer GP Chaplain at a nearby surgery, offering a listening ear and pastoral support to patients who might be dealing with illness, bereavement, or loneliness. She shares more about her role and her hope that one day, every surgery will have access to a GP Chaplain! |
| |
From Bible Study to Bug Hotels – Achieving the Eco Silver Award |
Following more than a year of work by the church’s eco team, a huge congratulations to St John the Baptist Church in Burley on achieving the Eco Church silver award, in recognition of their commitment to care for God’s world! Eco team leader Bridgette Riley said, “I feel that we've got to look after God's planet and make these changes to ensure that we’re protecting it." |
|
|
|
| |
|
Marchwood Church Secures Grant to Improve Accessibility |
Congratulations to the Parish of Marchwood and Eling which has secured a £50,000 grant from the CofE’s Parish Accessibility Fund, supporting churches improving accessibility and inclusion! The funding will help create a fully accessible entrance, enabling wheelchair users, people with limited mobility and families with pushchairs to enter the church safely and independently. Read more >>> |
|
|
|
| |
|
Statement from +Rhiannon About the New Forest Fires |
After the fires that took place in the New Forest, Bishop Rhiannon shared the following statement: "I am deeply saddened by the devastating fires in the New Forest which have destroyed hundreds of acres of precious landscape and caused the loss of countless animals and habitats. The New Forest is a place of extraordinary natural beauty, cherished by local communities and visitors alike. At times like this, we are reminded how fragile creation can be and how much we depend upon the care and stewardship of the natural world entrusted to us by God. |
| |
|
|
|
"My prayers are with all those affected, including the firefighters, emergency services, Forestry England staff, farmers, local residents and volunteers, including many from our churches, who have worked tirelessly to bring the situation under control.
"As communities across our region reflect on this loss, let us also recommit ourselves to caring for God's creation and supporting efforts to restore and protect this unique and treasured landscape for future generations."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Creationtide Living Water Resources |
| |
|
|
|
Creationtide (1 September - 4 October), the season dedicated to God as Creator and Sustainer of all life, takes the theme of 'Living Water' this year. Find resources from the national church here, and a link to their recent 'Hope for All Creation' publication, a theological response to the environmental crisis, here. You can also find a summary document here.
Operation Noah has also created resources which provide examples of actions churches can take to participate in the Season of Creation and protect and restore water. Find the resources here >>>
We'll be sharing various resources during Creationtide itself - look out for these from 1 September!
And don't forget to send us stories and photos of how your parish uses water, in both services and storytelling! |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Free Bibles from Good News for Everyone! |
Bishop Rhiannon recently met with a local representative of Good News for Everyone!, who seek to place God’s Word wherever they can. They have produced a new edition of the Testaments depicting a lighthouse, reminding us that Jesus is the Light of the World, and would love for churches to display these as free copies. To keep churches fully stocked, they ask for volunteers to become 'Church Friends' of Good News for Everyone!, with a pilot in the Southampton area. The first 25 churches or benefices who sign up will receive a box of free New Testaments and liaise with the Southampton Branch of Good News for Everyone! |
| |
|
|
| |
| |
|
New Faith and Generosity Reflection |
Our Faith and Generosity team has created a reflection for next Sunday’s lectionary reading from Romans 12:1-8 and Matthew 16:13-20. This reflection can be used both as a basis for sermon preparation and for personal reflection. |
| |
Definition of Regulated Activity with Children Change |
From 1 September, volunteers who teach, train, instruct, care for or supervise children will be considered 'in regulated activity with children' even if someone else supervises them. This means that they will be need an Enhanced DBS check. |
|
|
|
| |
|
Nominations for General Synod Now Open |
Could you be a candidate in the elections for General Synod this year? Nominations have now opened, and will close on 7 September. Almost anyone who attends church regularly is likely to be eligible to stand - you can check your eligibility here. If you're standing as a lay member, you’ll need two lay members of Deanery Synod to nominate you, while clergy will need two other clergy to nominate them. Find out more >>> |
| |
|
|
| |
|
New Leaflets and Posters from Safe Spaces |
Safe Spaces have recently created new leaflets and posters, designed to help churches signpost people towards their free, independent and confidential support service for adults who have experienced church-related abuse. Churches can use these resources in welcome areas, safeguarding displays and community venues. |
| |
Free Online Introduction to Hearing Loss Training |
Open Ears, the Christian charity dedicated to supporting people affected by hearing loss, are hosting two free Introduction to Hearing Loss training sessions, which aim to equip churches to become more welcoming and accessible for people who are hard of hearing.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Curate and Clergy Training on Giving and Generosity |
The national church is running a series of curate training webinars in September and October which focus on money, budgeting, giving, fundraising, and generosity. Each webinar is a free hour-long Zoom session, which needs to be registered for in advance. |
| |
Join the '50 Days of Hope' End Modern Slavery Campaign |
This summer, churches are invited to join Hope for Justice’s 50 Days of Hope campaign to pray, raise awareness, and fundraise, to help end modern slavery and human trafficking. One resource includes Hope for Justice’s HOPE framework, which outlines practical ways churches can engage in the fight against modern slavery. |
|
|
|
|
|
Join diocesan staff during their visit to Alton Deanery, a chance to speak to experts across various fields, including: youth and children’s work, CMF, DAC, Grants, NZC and more. Everyone welcome! |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Events Around the Diocese |
12 September, 9am, Old Alresford Place |
12 September, 9am, Old Alresford Place |
14 September, 10am, Online |
15 September, 7pm, Online |
19 September, 9:30am, St Paul's Church, Bursledon |
| |
26 September, 9:15am, St Boniface, Chandler's Ford |
30 September, 2pm, Old Alresford Place |
3 October, 9:30am, Christ Church Freemantle |
6 October, 9am, Old Alresford Place |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photo credit: Lydia Bushman |
| |
Welcoming the New Rector of the Whitewater Benefice |
Revd Dominic Thornton and his family received a joyous welcome at a packed service of collation and induction in the Whitewater Benefice, which was led by Bishop Kelly. He was previously Chaplain to St Michael’s Hospice in Basingstoke and a member of the Chaplaincy Team at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, and prior to that served at St Thomas’ and St Edmund’s in Salisbury. |
|
|
|
| |
|
New Sacrist and Precentor at Winchester Cathedral |
The Reverend Canon Dr Rebecca Lloyd has recently been appointed as the next Canon Precentor and Sacrist of Winchester Cathedral! Bishop Philip said, “I’m delighted by Canon Rebecca’s appointment as Precentor. She brings a wealth of wisdom and experience, and I believe her appointment, along with that of our new Director of Music, will usher in an exciting new season in the worshipping life of the Cathedral, which lies at the very heart of its purpose and mission.” Read more >>> |
| |
|
|
|
Around the Diocese and Beyond... |
Do you have a vacancy you'd like us to share?
Get in touch with communications@winchesterdiocese.org. |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
Copyright © 2026 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:
Diocese of Winchester, Old Alresford Place, Alresford, SO24 9DH
Want to change how you receive these emails? Email communications@winchesterdiocese.org.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
