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Continuing our series from deanery leaders, Revd Tom Hodkinson, Assistant Area Dean of Bournemouth, writes...
When it comes to football, they say it’s the hope that kills you.
As an England fan (yet with Scottish ancestry) I’ve noticed in myself a growing sense of hope at the possibility of England’s chances at the World Cup. This is, admittedly, a familiar feeling. |
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Tournament after tournament, I find hope rising that perhaps “this is our year!”, only for the tournament to end in disappointment. If the Women’s team can taste victory, then can the Men’s team finally follow suit?
Regrettably, at least in my lifetime, this hope has been misplaced. Success continues to be elusive, but who knows, maybe football is finally coming home?
Hope is, of course, a central theme of the gospel. But rather than being rooted in the occasionally inconsistent form of a football team, Christian hope is rooted in Jesus himself. Paul reminds us in Romans 5 that “hope does not disappoint us because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit”.
The hope of Christ is not for the interested or the fortunate, but for each person, whatever life looks like. The hope that we daily bear witness to in our parishes, schools and communities is this simple truth that, in a turbulent world, God is with us. |
Correction from last week: Revd Canon Simon Newham is the Assistant Archdeacon of Bournemouth, not the Assistant Area Dean of Bournemouth! |
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Mission on the Number 20 Bus Route |
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The number 20 bus passes the front door of St Denys Church, carrying a steady flow of people through the community. Many of those travelling the route have found a welcome and safe space at St Denys through the church’s range of ministries and projects to support its local community. The church has recently received national church funding as part of the Diocesan Investment Programme (DIP) and Revd Sera Rumble said the church is embracing more “opportunity to step out and grow and build on what God is already doing in St Denys." |
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Joy and Fellowship at Windy Calshot Beach Baptisms |
About 150 people gathered at Calshot Beach to witness some dramatic and memorable sea baptisms. It was a time of great joy as St Andrew’s Dibden Purlieu joined with St Win’s Totton to worship together and celebrate lives transformed by Jesus. Four young people shared powerful and emotional testimonies of how they came to faith and have been welcomed by the church family. |
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Churches Celebrate the Nature on Our Doorstep |
Churches across the diocese have been celebrating the biodiversity in our churchyards as part of the Churches Count on Nature initiative. Pam Glasspool, who took part in Holy Trinity, Colden Common, said, “We believe the resources, variety and beauty of our world have been created and evolved for our benefit by God, who calls on us to use these gifts with respect and care." |
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Please Pray for Our New Deacons |
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We are hugely excited that on Sunday 28 June, sixteen men and women will be made deacon at Winchester Cathedral. We will be sharing their individual prayer requests on our social media channels in the coming days - please pray for our new deacons as they take the next step in their ministry journey! Read more about our new revs here >>> |
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Apology for Historic Adoption Practices |
Today the Church of England has issued a public apology for its involvement in historic adoption practices, particularly those connected with mother and baby homes: see www.churchofengland.org/adoption Over the past two years, our diocese has also been researching its involvement in historic adoption practices and have shared some of our findings on our website here.
Bishop Kelly said, “Our diocese wants to reiterate the apology for the church’s role and the harm caused to women and their children, many of whom still carry the scars of the past. We do not claim to know every detail of what happened, but in our diocese we are committed to learning more and hearing the stories of those affected."
We are holding a Service of Lament and Reflection at St Bartholomew’s Church in Winchester, on Saturday 11th July at 3pm, led by Bishop Kelly. All in our diocese are welcome to come along to this service. |
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+Philip's Address and Papers from Diocesan Synod |
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Domestic Abuse During the World Cup |
There is a well-documented association between major football tournaments and domestic abuse. The local charity Stop Domestic Abuse has launched a campaign to encourage people to recognise and report signs of abuse. And as with any safeguarding concern, the first point of call should always be the diocesan safeguarding team. |
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Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs |
The Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs, which began April 2026, has contacted various organisations including the Church of England to inform us that in due course the Inquiry may contact relevant parties to request documents, data, witness evidence or other material relevant to its investigation.
To that end it has placed a legal hold on potentially relevant material as of 11 June 2026. This means that all such materials must be preserved, must not be destroyed, altered, deleted, overwritten, concealed or otherwise disposed of.
If this is relevant to your community, please read the following guidance.
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Come Along to Our Parish Admin Day |
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14 July, 9:15am, Old Alresford Place
All Parish Administrators and Operations Managers are invited to this event offering guidance and support in day-to-day parish administrative activities. It's a great opportunity for everyone to get together, network and exchange experiences. Lunch will be provided! |
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Southampton Council of Faiths Annual Peace Walk |
28 June, 12:30pm, Queen's Peace Fountain, East Park Southampton
Join others in the Southampton Council of Faiths' annual walk for peace, exploring some of the city's places of worship across different faith communities. Find out more >>> |
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Events Around the Diocese |
25 June, 8:15am, All Saints Ringwood |
1 July, 9am, St Paul's Winchester |
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8 July, 9:30am, St Luke's Burton |
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Archdeacons' Visitations: |
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18 June: Romsey Abbey
25 June: Christchurch Priory
22 July: Zoom |
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We're delighted that the Revd Canon Nick Jepson-Biddle, Priest in Charge of Bournemouth Town Centre, will be taking on the additional role of Assistant Area Dean of Bournemouth in July.
We say goodbye and thank you to the Revd Canon Mike Burson-Thomas, Priest in Charge of the Pennington Benefice, who will be retiring, and the Revd Sam Dinsmore, Assistant Curate in Milford-on-Sea, who will be moving to the Diocese of Oxford to become an Associate Minister in Great Western Park Church. We also say farewell to the Revd Jennifer Nightingale, Chaplain at The Bishop of Winchester Academy, who will become Team Vicar of the Wareham Parish in the Diocese of Salisbury, and the Revd Samuel Duckhouse, Assistant Curate in the Christchurch Benefice, who will be moving to the Salisbury Diocese, where he has been appointed Vicar of Verwood.
Please pray for all our new and departing clergy, that God will guide them as they take their next steps on the path He has called them to. |
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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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