Ministry Team: Position Vacant Rector

Church Revd Rebecca Fardell 809264 Curate [email protected]

Revd Alex Pease 793063 Curate [email protected]

Matters... Mr Tony Gaster 779110 LLM ...a welcoming, open, vibrant community [email protected]

of all-age followers of Jesus Christ. Mr Gerry Stacey 620263 LLM [email protected]

Sunday 8th February

Second Sunday before Lent [email protected] Welcome! Services Today We are so pleased to welcome you to our services today. If you are new to the 8am Holy Communion parish or worshipping with us for the St Mary's, Easton with Revd Alex Pease first time then please do make yourself known to either a member of the clergy 10am Parish Communion or a churchwarden. St John's, with Revd Alex Pease This information sheet gives some words that will be needed in today’s services 12pm Baptism of Alexa Lloyd and notices about the life of our church St Swithun's, Martyr Worthy communities. Please take it home with with Revd Rebecca Fardell you, especially following the Bible 6pm Evensong readings and prayers day by day. St Swithun's, Martyr Worthy with Revd Alex Pease Today's Readings Colossians 1.15-20 John 1.1-14

Collect Prayer Prayer for the new rector

Almighty God, you have created Loving heavenly Father, thank you for your faithfulness to your church in the the heavens and the earth and . Thank you for all those who made us in your own image: teach work so hard to serve you by serving us. us to discern your hand in all your We pray for the person who has been works and your likeness in all your called to be our new rector, asking that children; through Jesus Christ your you would fill them afresh with your Holy Son our Lord, who with you and Spirit as they prepare to move to the Itchen Valley. May your hand be on the the Holy Spirit reigns supreme practicalities so that they may go smoothly over all things, now and for ever. and the vacancy come to an end soon. For Amen. we ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Free To Be is being set up as a support group for those of us affected by the challenges of living with a mental health problem. This might be a personal battle or one affecting someone close to you. We meet on Thursdays in term time at St John's Itchen Abbas from 10.00 - 11.30am (so no meeting on 12th or 19th February). We ask for your prayers for our group as it forms. If you would like any further information please text Susie on 07765 876026.

The Girl Choristers of Cathedral with George Castle and Tim Parsons are performing at St John's, Itchen Abbas on Friday 13th February at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £15/£8 (price includes a drink and canapés) available from Nick Owen 799162 or www.southwoodplayers.org.uk

Lent Course starts on Tuesday 24th February. See the flier in our churches or the website for further information or do speak to a member of the Ministry Team if you would like to know more.

Lent Lunches 2015 Since the inception of the Lent Lunches, the Itchen Valley Community has raised several thousands of pounds for local and national charities. These informal and simple lunches take the form of soup, bread and cheese, between 12 - 2pm in various houses in the Valley and EVERYONE is welcome. The chosen Charity for 2015 will be Winchester GoLD (www.winchestergold.org.uk) formerly, Winchester Mencap. The lunches provide a great opportunity to meet all ages within our community. Please encourage your friends and families to come along to the Lent Lunches on the following dates: Friday 20, 27 Feb and 6,13,20,27 March (Easter is on 5th April). 20th February Gilly Greenwood, Edgedell, Lower Chilland Lane, Martyr Worthy. 779540 27th February Anna Burness East View, Easton. 779993. For further info please contact Stephanie Gretton (779379) or Felicity Urquhart (779579).

Winchester Night Shelter I am looking for more volunteers to cook a meal for the Winchester Night Shelter. This involves cooking once a year for 20 people, a pudding or main course, such as a casserole or Shepherd’s pie type food. All expenses will be covered by Judes Ice-cream. We deliver this under the umbrella of the Itchen valley churches. Please contact Judith Mezger 076834831450

Charity Bridge tea in aid of IV churches on Wednesday 11th March 2pm to 5pm at Dymoke House Easton. For more information please contact Jane Anderson ([email protected]).

Basics Bank With Di Wilson moving to Cheriton, we need a new volunteer to collect the donations for the Basics Bank from our four churches and deliver them to Highcliffe. Please contact Di if you are able to help! [email protected]

Bible Readings for this week taken from the Church of lectionary - readings for Morning Prayer

Monday 9th Psalm 30 2 Chron 9.1-12 John 19.1-16 Tuesday 10th Psalm 36 2 Chron 10.1-11.4 John 19.17-30 Wednesday 11th Psalm 34 2 Chron 12 John 19.31-end Thursday 12th Psalm 37 2 Chron 13.1-14.1 John 20.1-10 Friday 13th Psalm 31 2 Chron 14.2-end John 20.11-18 th Saturday 14 Psalm 42 2 Chron 15.1-15 John 20.19-end

Prayers for this week Friday We pray for those bowed down with Monday grief, fear or sickness, especially … Gracious God, fountain of all wisdom, May your living Word bring comfort e we pray for all Christian people; and healing to all those in need. for Bishop Tim, for all Christian leaders, and for those who teach and guard the Saturday (Diocesan Mission Prayer) faith …May the word of Christ dwell Glorious God, you have taken hold of us richly in our hearts, and knit us together and made us your own. In the power of in the bond of your love. your Spirit, give us grace to press on in your purposes, loving one another, Tuesday learning together, and living the mission We pray for the leaders of the nations, of him who calls us onwards, Jesus Christ and for those in authority under them … our Lord. Amen Give them the gift of your wisdom, and a right discernment in all things. Prayers We pray for Alexa Lloyd who is being Wednesday baptised today. We pray for our community; for those who live and work here, and for those We give thanks for the life of Robert who visit this place … Speak your word Atkinson and pray for his family in of peace in our midst, and help us to their grief. We pray for all who serve one another as Christ has served mourn, asking that they will know us. God's comfort.

Thursday We pray for those who do not We pray for all who are sick, believe, and yet who long to know particularly for Gerry Franklyn, Olive you, the very Word of life …Open Fullick, Bette Gardener, Graham their ears to hear your voice, and Ottley, Penny Russell and Doreen open their hearts to the knowledge Scatchard; we ask that God will heal of your love in Christ. them and surround them with his love.

We pray for Chris and Di Wilson as they settle into their new home.

DIARY FOR THE WEEK Monday 9th 10am Little Rainbows St John's, Itchen Abbas 12pm Midday Prayer St Mary's, Avington 1.30pm Mum's Bible Study South Cottage, Easton 2pm Monday Group 6, the Row, Avington

Tuesday 10th 12pm Midday Prayer St John’s, Itchen Abbas 2pm Family Assembly for IA School St John's, Itchen Abbas

Wednesday 11th 12pm Midday Prayer St Swithun's, Martyr Worthy 2.30pm funeral of Sir Robert Atkinson St John's, Itchen Abbas

Thursday 12th 9.45am IME training for Rebecca 12pm Midday Prayer St Mary’s, Easton

Friday 13th 7.30pm Girl Choristers' Concert St John's, Itchen Abbas

Our Sunday groups for children meet from 9.45am with this pattern:

2nd Sunday Itchen Abbas & Avington Village Hall

3rd Sunday Dymoke House, Easton

4th Sunday Martyr Worthy Village Hall Please pick up a leaflet from one of the churches to give you more information.

SERVICES NEXT SUNDAY

15th February

8am BCP Holy Communion St Swithun's, Martyr Worthy

10am Parish Communion St Mary's, Easton

6pm

Evensong St Mary's, Avington

If you wish to receive Church Matters weekly by email then please contact one of the ministry team. You can also download it from the website www.itchenvalleychurches.org.uk