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As we come to the end of the Season of Harvest, Revd Kate Seagrave, Chaplain to the Bishop of Winchester, writes...
‘You crown the year with your goodness’ (Psalm 65:11) |
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As the weather cools and the days shorten, the church year shifts from Harvest to remembering. In both seasons we give thanks for all the Lord has done, recall his faithful care and provision, and respond in worship for his goodness and grace.
Psalm 65 has been one of the staples of my own personal devotions over the past month and has daily invited me to wonder at the great goodness of our God; most especially in those places where it is all to easy to take for granted.
As we pray this Harvest Psalm our attention is brought continually to both what has been as well as what will be. We give thanks for the past whilst offering praise in faith for the future. What might seem like an audacious expectation becomes a decision rooted in trusting the nature of God and his care for the whole of creation.
A simple form of the Ignatian examen is to take time to note day by day where we have seen the Lord and where we have missed his presence. As the metaphorical seasonal page turn, let us be attentive to where we have seen his work and where we have struggled to perceive it. Let us thank him for his goodness, invite him in where we are most aware of the need for grace, and praise him in trust for his future faithfulness.
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Celebrating the Diversity of Our Churches |
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Across the diocese, people from different cultures, generations, backgrounds and Christian traditions worship and share life in local churches. Their varied experiences and gifts create opportunities to learn from one another and discover what it means to belong together. We spoke with Christ Church Chineham and Christ Church Freemantle, where welcome and inclusion are central to church life through international services and a variety of worship styles. |
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St Mark’s Church Welcomes New MES Intern |
St Mark’s Southampton has re-kindled its involvement in the Ministry Experience Scheme (MES), with 22-year-old Izzy joining the church team. She said, “It's been amazing to have an inside look into church and how it all runs and to get an insight into so many different ministries. Part of the year for me is working out where God is calling me next.” |
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Single Clergy Network Offers Support and Friendship |
Our diocese’s Single Clergy Network offers a chance to build friendships, share experiences and support one another in ministry. We spoke with them after a recent meeting, with one member saying, “Nothing beats a meal around the table with friends for listening, sharing and just enjoying each other's company." |
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New Chancellor Takes to the Road to Listen and Learn |
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The Diocese of Winchester’s new Chancellor, Revd Mark Ruffell, has spent a day visiting churches across the northern half of the diocese to hear first-hand about the opportunities, challenges and aspirations facing parishes as they care for and seek to develop and sustain their church buildings. He said, “We are custodians of some wonderful historic buildings. Part of my role is helping to balance preserving these buildings for future generations with the missional needs that occur today." |
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General Synod Elections 2026 |
Our new clergy and lay representatives for General Synod have been elected and will serve from 2026 to 2031. Thank you to everyone who was involved in the election process, especially those who offered themselves for these important roles.
Elected to the House of Clergy were Revd Dr Timothy Matthews, Revd Rachel Noël, Revd Dr Jonathan Rowe, and Revd Sarah Yetman. Elected to the House of Laity were Mr Stephen Bushell, Dr Simon Clift, Canon Alison Coulter, and Dr Julie Maxwell. Learn more about our newly elected representatives here. |
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Learn More About Our Proposed Upcoming Projects |
Discover how we're seeking to invest in the future of our diocese through our application for strategic mission funding. We've recently added more information about the three programmes at the heart of our vision: Believing in Southampton and Believing in Bournemouth, Towns and Surrounds, and Growing Rural Parishes. Together, these initiatives aim to strengthen local communities, support revitalisation, and help churches of varying tradition and setting flourish for generations to come.
Find out more >>> |
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Join Our Next Camino Walk |
21 November, 1:30pm, Winchester City, Water Meadows and Itchen Way
Following the success of our inaugural Bournemouth seafront walk, you're invited to join the Education Team for a different style of walk as part of the 2026-27 Diocesan Camino Project. Meeting at the Hampshire Hog statue outside Hampshire County Council, we'll enjoy a flat circular route with reflections along the way. The walk will last around 3 hours, including a coffee stop and two guided reflections. Everyone is welcome, including dogs! Further information from our Director of Education, Jeff Williams. |
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Applications for Minor Repairs & Improvements Grant Open |
The Minor Repairs and Improvements Grant Funds is now open. You can make a grant application for any small-scale repair/improvement project that totals up to £25,000. To find out more and apply, click the button below. Applications for this round of funding will close on 20 November 2026. |
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From 1 September 2026, the supervision exemption for regulated activity with children has been removed. As a result, more paid and volunteer roles working with children will be eligible for an Enhanced DBS check with a children's barred list check, even where activities are supervised by another checked individual. The National Safeguarding Team have produced this infographic to help raise awareness of the change, and have updated their eligibility guidance document here. |
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Join Our Bishops' Permission to Preach (BPP) Taster Sessions |
2 November, 7pm, Online | 4 November, 2pm, Old Alresford Place
Do you have a love for God’s word? Do you feel a call to build up God’s people through preaching? If so, the Bishop’s Permission to Preach (BPP) training programme might be for you. |
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To find out more about the BPP programme, which will start in September 2027, you’re invited to attend one of two taster sessions, a chance to learn more and ask questions. Find out more >>>
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Church at the Crossroads Conference |
13-14 November, Assembly Buildings Conference Centre, Belfast
For many Christians, the voices of Palestinian Christians have been almost entirely absent from conversations about Israel and Palestine. Church at the Crossroads is an opportunity to change that. This conference gathers believers to listen and learn from Palestinian and global Christian leaders to consider what a Biblical, Christ-centered witness requires in this moment. Find out more >>> |
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Events Around the Diocese |
28 October, 10am, Old Alresford Place |
28 October, 10am, St Paul's Winchester |
2 November, 7pm, Online
4 November, 2pm, Old Alresford Place |
4 November, 10am, Old Alresford Place |
14 November, 9:30am, St Boniface Church, Eastleigh |
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14 November, 9:30am, St Luke's Sway |
15 November, 3:30pm, Winchester Cathedral |
15 November, 9:30am, St Luke's Burton |
23 November, 2:30pm, Old Alresford Place |
25 November, 10am, Christ Church Winchester |
26 November, 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@winchesterdiocese.org. |
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