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Continuing our series from deanery leaders, Revd John Pawson, Area Dean of Eastleigh Deanery, writes...
We can express our belief in Jesus’ resurrection in many different ways. In October 2021, it was a privilege to spend the last few days of my mum’s life at her bedside. Her deep faith was evident even as this life slowly faded. Two days before she died, she asked me to bring her some New Testaments. Having been involved with the Gideons for many years, my parents had a supply at home. The following day, through laboured breathing and painful, clumsy sentences, she gave them away to the staff caring for her. |
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Mum had no theological qualifications but her faith was solid and true. She believed that Jesus died for her on the cross—setting her free from sin, death, and hell—and rose again that she might live in Him. She trusted that salvation was an undeserved gift of amazing grace, and that with it came a holy calling to follow Jesus and a compelling commission to serve Him.
She believed that just as Jesus rose from death, she too would rise again to spend eternity with her Saviour, and she longed for many others to share that hope. For Mum, “I believe in the resurrection” expressed her salvation, her hope, and her motivation—to stand before Jesus and hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
“O Jesus, I have promised to serve thee to the end.
Be thou for ever near me, my Master and my friend.” John E Bode |
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Beaulieu Abbey Church Leads the Way in Sustainable Church Flowers |
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Sustainable church flowers are changing the way churches decorate their buildings, encouraging methods that are beautiful but mindful of the environment. Beaulieu Abbey Church recently hosted a Sustainable Church Flowers Symposium - a practical workshop for flower teams across the Lyndhurst Deanery. Revd Catherine Cowie said, "There was a real sense of permission in the room, to experiment, to play, and to let go of the idea that church flowers have to look a certain way." |
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Blessing of the St James’ Way Milestone in Southampton |
A pilgrimage milestone was unveiled and blessed by Bishop Geoff in Southampton last week, to mark the finishing point of the St James’ Way Camino Ingles. +Geoff said, “It reminds us that we're all pilgrims. We've got a journey through life and the great thing for Christians is that we don't make that journey alone, as Jesus walks alongside us." |
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Bishop Philip Honoured by Winchester College |
700 pupils and staff lined the chamber court at Winchester College this week, to welcome Bishop Philip as he took part in the ancient ceremony of ‘Ad Portas’ (meaning 'at the gates'). He said, “We should be faithful to the rich past by committing ourselves, both college and diocese, to a rich future marked by learning, by serving, by growing and by loving.” |
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Share Your Stories of Generosity for Faith and Generosity Week! |
7-14 June 2026
Does your parish have inspiring stories of generosity you'd like to share with the wider diocese? Please get in touch with the Communications Team by 11 May with details and photos of God calling people to be generous with their time, money, and numerous other gifts. |
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Final Call for LLM Ministry Candidate Referrals |
Calling all clergy - If you have any candidates in mind for LLM ministry, with the view to starting training this September, please contact Helen O'Sullivan. If you are a lay person interested in exploring LLM ministry, please speak with your church leader in the first instance. The final LLM discernment panel for the 2026 training cohort will be on 23 June. |
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Accessibility Grants Now Available |
The new CofE Parish Accessibility Fund is now open for applications. The aim of this scheme is to fund projects which improve accessibility to church buildings which would not otherwise be possible. You'll need to conduct an accessibility self-audit before applying, or use an audit done in the last year. There are some strict definitions around the words ‘accessible’ and ‘disabled’ so we encourage you to get in touch with the DAC for advice. Find out more here >>> |
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Join Trusell's 'Walking Humbly' Resource Launch |
7 May, 9am, Online
Trusell, the Christian charity that works to end the need for food banks, is inviting you to the launch of its Walking Humbly resources, which include a booklet for church leaders and a series of Bible studies. Speakers include the Bishop of Leicester, the Church of England’s lead bishop for child poverty issues. |
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Hymns Ancient and Modern - Festival of Preaching 2026 |
13-15 September, Cambridge
Christian charity Hymns Ancient & Modern recently announced the programme for the 2026 Festival of Preaching. The festival offers a varied programme of worship, lectures and workshops, with speakers including Nadia Bolz-Weber, Sam Wells, Isabelle Hamley, Selina Stone, Mark Oakley, Pádraig Ó Tuama and Nadim Nassar. Find out more >>> |
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Could Your Church Join The Welcome Directory? |
A letter from Bishop Rachel Treweek, Anglican Bishop for HM Prisons, is being shared to encourage churches to register with The Welcome Directory and offer a safe, non‑judgmental welcome to people leaving prison. Read the letter here >>> |
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STAR Recovery Celebration Event |
15-16 May, Winton Methodist Church
All are warmly invited to STAR's Recovery Celebration weekend, built around hope and real-life transformation! STAR is a Christian charity supporting those in recovery from addiction, and Bishop Philip is a STAR Ambassador.
This ecumenical gathering is for anyone walking their own recovery journey, those supporting others through work or volunteering, and anyone curious to understand addiction and the path to healing. Find out more >>> |
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Save the Date - Church Action on Poverty Sunday |
18 October 2026
This year's Church Action on Poverty Sunday will take place on 18 October, with a theme of 'Food, faith and fellowship'. Sign up now to receive a resource pack, which includes bring & share lunch ideas, worship materials, prayer cards, Scriptural reflections, activity sheets, and inspirational stories of churches already doing great work through food! |
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Events Around the Diocese |
7 May, 1:30pm, Old Alresford Place |
11 May, 2pm, Old Alresford Place |
14 May, 10am, Old Alresford Place |
16 May, 10am, St Paul's Bursledon |
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16 May, 10am, Old Alresford Place |
16 May, 6:30pm, Winchester Cathedral |
1 July, 9am, St Paul's Winchester |
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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@winchesterdiocese.org. |
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