Our weekly newsletter is taking a break over the summer, with the next update on 20 August. See you in September! |
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Church Gardens Grow Community, Friendship & Faith |
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Churches in our diocese have created gardens that help them connect with their communities, offer places of peace, reflection and friendship, and for some, provide the first steps towards faith. St Mary’s Church in Tadley and St Nicholas Church in Bournemouth share more about their community gardens, which have helped people experience God’s love before they step through the church door. |
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Southampton Storyteller Shares Mark’s Gospel Around the World |
Stefan Smart is an actor and storyteller from Southampton who left his job as a teacher to follow his passion for sharing the story of Jesus with people beyond the church. He now tours the world with his one man show “I am Mark”, performing the Gospel of Mark from memory, appearing in churches, cathedrals, conferences, prisons, schools and colleges. We asked him how it all began... |
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Take Part in Ride+Stride 2026! |
Hampshire & the Islands Historic Churches Trust (HIHCT) are encouraging cyclists and walkers to visit churches in their area to help raise money for local churches, towards the maintenance, preservation and restoration of our ancient buildings. Churches taking part can be found here.
HIHCT have recently produced a document sharing more information on taking part and donating, which can be found here. |
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An Encouraging Culture of Faithfulness & Generosity |
This summer, representatives from the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) visited stewardship advocate Jim Rooke in Chandler's Ford who over many years has worked tirelessly to build a culture of generosity in his parish. Thanks to his encouragement, many people who give through the scheme have chosen to increase their regular donations each year in line with inflation. As a result, the parish has one of the highest rates in the country of people choosing this option. Grant Forrest, CEO of PGS, said, "What struck me most was Jim's faithfulness. Through countless small conversations and consistent encouragement over many years, he has made a lasting difference."
Learn more about the Parish Giving Scheme and what it can do for your parish here >>> |
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Bishop Philip Grilled by Baaa-bara Sheep |
Back by popular demand... This summer, Bishop Philip met with the Praizin’ Hands Puppet Group and was asked some serious questions by Baaa-bara Sheep, like whether he always wanted to be a bishop, and whether he prefers roller-skates or pogo-sticks! Do share the video with your schools and youth groups! |
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'Our Offering' Giving Resource |
Our Offering is a short, flexible programme for financial and volunteer giving that can be used over one, two, or three Sundays. It is designed with smaller or rural churches and multi-parish benefices in mind. Our Offering intentionally adds nothing new to the life of the church; rather, it begins with what we already do – the weekly offering of ourselves and our gifts to God in the Offertory. |
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Online Faculty Application Portal |
Some of you may be aware that the national church has been working on a new online faculty application portal - we've now received an update on timings for the launch of the new system. This means that the current Online Faculty Application system, used by parishes to create and manage all aspects of the Faculty Jurisdiction Rules, will be closing on 30 September 2026.
The new Buildings Management Portal will go live early in October. However, it is possible there could be a period of up to 2 weeks where there will be no capacity to create or edit faculty applications.
We appreciate this could be challenging and we would value your patience and understanding as the new system is launched. We will be sending out more information when it is available and will look to arrange training in the near future. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact dac@winchesterdiocese.org. |
Releasing PCC Funds for Today’s Mission Objectives |
The diocese is beginning a project to help PCCs understand and make the best use of charitable funds held on their behalf by the Diocesan Board of Finance.
These may be gifts or bequests, some with restrictions on how they can be used. In some cases, changes in charity law mean historic funds may now be able to support today's mission and ministry. Over the coming months, the DBF will contact PCCs to explain what options may be available and offer guidance if appropriate.
Last week, an email was sent to incumbents, treasurers, and churchwardens with further information. If you did not receive it, you can find a copy here. |
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Only a Few Months to Apply for Ministry Bursary Awards! |
Each year Ecclesiastical’s Ministry Bursary Awards (MBA) provide financial support to members of the clergy taking a sabbatical, helping them breathe life into their ministerial development in ways that enrich both them and the wider church. The application deadline for 2027 sabbaticals is 30 September 2026. |
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Save the Date - Festival of Creation in Christ |
6 September 2026
Approved by General Synod this year, the new Festival of Creation in Christ offers parishes a fresh opportunity to celebrate and give thanks for God’s creation, as well as reflect on humanity's responsibility to care for the natural world and pray for its renewal. Find liturgical resources here, and theological resources here. Do get in touch with stories if your church is marking this festival! |
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+Philip Joins Other Bishops in Urge to Stop Executions of Ethiopian Christians |
Bishop Philip has joined the Bishops of Chelmsford and Southwark as a signatory on a letter to Mohammed bin Salman, the ruler of Saudi Arabia. It urges him to call an immediate halt to the execution of over 50 Ethiopian nationals, most of whom identify as Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, currently on death row in the state. The letter has also been copied to the UK Foreign Secretary, the Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, and has been shared in the news.
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Recent years have seen a rise in phishing scams, which are often very sophisticated. We've recently been informed of scams attempting to obtain copies of church directories, using contact details found on parish websites, as well as supposed police officers claiming parishioners have been the victims of identity theft. We ask that you remain vigilant, and hope the below guidance and resources will be useful:
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Cornerstone Support Session |
30 September, 2pm, Old Alresford Place
This will be a practical session where we can review your parish’s finances using the Cornerstone platform, an online generosity tool. Cornerstone can allow your parish to develop a detailed picture of its financial situation, see where to focus its efforts moving forward, and search over 1,000 grants, all curated for churches. Find out more and book your place >>> |
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'Hope for Creation' Webinars |
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Events Around the Diocese |
8 September, 2pm, All Saints Alton |
12 September, 9am, Old Alresford Place |
12 September, 9am, Old Alresford Place |
19 September, 9:30am, St Paul's Church, Bursledon |
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26 September, 9:15am, St Boniface, Chandler's Ford |
3 October, 9:30am, Christ Church Freemantle |
6 October, 9am, Old Alresford Place |
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Saying Farewell to Revd Simon Cansdale |
On Sunday 26 July, Christ Church Winchester said farewell and prayed for their vicar, Revd Simon Cansdale, and his wife Naomi as they move on after seven years.
The church gave thanks for all Revd Simon and Naomi had done to serve and love the church and community, and asked God to bless them in their next steps. |
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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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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.
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