Fortnightly News Sunday 15 & 22 March 2020 The Third & Fourth Sunday of Lent LUNCHTIME CONCERTS AT ST FAITH’S Pray, Bake, Read St Faith’s is creating a new partnership with Bosmere School, under this initiative of our Diocese. All potential volunteers who have expressed an interest in listening to children read are invited to come and meet Alice Melly, Reading Co-ordinator at Bosmere School on Tuesday 31st of March at 9am. (The meeting should last no more than half an hour, and will include guidance on how to read and administrative details, like getting a DBS check). Please let Sandra or Tom know if you are able to come

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING 26TH APRIL - after the 9.30 service Our Annual Meeting is coming fast over the horizon - and we hope you’ll be coming along to vote for new PCC members (or indeed to become one!) We’ll also be reviewing 2019, and launching our Mission Development Plan for the next 5 years.

If you would like the right to vote at the meeting, you’ll need to be a member of our Electoral Roll. Please catch Hugh Owen (our Electoral Roll officer) SOON (because entries to the roll are closed two weeks before the meeting). THE CROSS Have you ever wondered how God might be calling you to serve? This Story. This Time. Reflection, Prayer and Drama at St ‘Take The Call’ is a morning Francis, Leigh Park designed to help you discover Monday 6th April, Tuesday 7th where God might be calling you to April, Wednesday 8th April serve. Nightly at 7:30pm. At St Francis and St Clare’s we It’s a free event, open to anyone want to share what we love between the ages of 13 and 99! about Jesus. We are agreed that we will always strive to The morning, hosted by diocesan create space for encounter with Director of Vocations and each other and with God, and Ordinands Peter Hall and Youth & opportunities for reflection on Children’s Work Advisor Bethan the mysteries of the world and Fogell, will include guest speakers, what life is really about. a Vocations fayre and lunch. This Easter come and find out what Jesus might mean to you Details through music, prayer and Date: Saturday 2nd May reflection circled around a Time: 9:30am to 2pm moving interpretation of the Venue: Church of the Good story of Jesus’ death on the Shepherd, Crookhorn Cross. It is always the same story. This story. But now is the Contact information for all our key time to meet it again. staff can be found in the Monthly Free event. No booking Information Sheet, copies of which are always available in church. required. All welcome. Parish Website is at www.stfaith.com

“It is great that Portsmouth diocese already has an authentic mission focus, and it will be exciting to see how I can work effectively alongside parishes that are seeking to reach out to these hugely diverse communities.” Jenny, 58, is married to Mark and has two grown-up daughters, Kate and Helena. She worked as a trademark attorney before studying for on the East Anglian Ministerial Training Course, one of the C of E’s first non- BISHOP Christopher has appointed a residential training courses. She was new of Portsdown to serve ordained in 2002 and served in parishes in Portsmouth and Havant. Northampton, Kettering and Lincoln The Rev , who is currently before moving to her current post in rector of St John’s Church, Selsdon, and 2013. She has also been area dean for area dean for Croydon Addington, has five years. been appointed to this role. She will be Bishop Christopher said: “Jenny comes one of three in our to us with a wealth of experience in diocese, alongside the Ven different parishes and also as area dean. as Archdeacon of the Meon and the Ven Her very recent experience as a parish as Archdeacon of the Isle will be invaluable as she supports of Wight. our own parish , and her wisdom The new Archdeacon of Portsdown, the will be helpful as we seek to move Rev Jenny Rowley, will be collated and forward in mission. welcomed at a service in our cathedral “I look forward to working with her as a on Saturday 4 April at 5pm (all member of our senior staff, leading the welcome!). Bishop Christopher will diocese together as we seek to serve lead the service, at which Jenny will the communities around us.” make promises to serve the parishes of Havant and Portsmouth that make up Archdeacons are responsible for specific her new archdeaconry. geographical areas within a diocese, and their role includes taking a “I’m looking forward to being part of particular interest in church buildings, the team in Portsmouth diocese, the welfare of clergy and their families supporting parish clergy in what are and the implementation of diocesan often difficult and demanding roles,” policy for the sake of the gospel. she said. Forthcoming Main SERVICES

SUNDAY 15 MARCH THE THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

8.00 am HOLY COMMUNION PLEASE PRAY FOR: President & Preacher...…………………….....…Bishop John 9.30 am SUNG COMMUNION The World President & Preacher……………………..…….. Bishop John Including St John the 6.00 pm ‘REFRESHED’ TAIZÉ Divine, Ghana Rod & Glenda Thomas Leader ……………………………….…..…....… Reader Sandra

THURSDAY 19 MARCH The Diocese For the safe and 10.30am HOLY COMMUNION blessed move of our President & Preacher ……………Rev’d Richard Acworth new Archdeacon, Jenny Rowley SUNDAY 22 MARCH Our Parish & Deanery THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT Pray for groups in our 8.00 am HOLY COMMUNION community including President & Preacher...……………………...... …Bishop John Little Seeds & TAT 9.30 am SUNG COMMUNION Those in Urgent Need President & Preacher……...…….………………… Tom Hazel Gooch 6.00pm ‘REFRESHED’ - CHORAL EVENSONG Konrad Morgan Leader & Preacher ...………………..…...…...….Canon Tom Marvel Clyde Sam Roonan THURSDAY 26 MARCH 10.30am HOLY COMMUNION The Recently President & Preacher ……………………..….….Bishop John Departed

Steve Woods SATURDAY 28 MARCH Colonel Bill Stevens 10.00am LENT CONFERENCE ………………………… Angela Tilbury (SAAFA) Dorothy Britt

SUNDAY 29 MARCH Anniversaries of THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT Departed

8.00 am HOLY COMMUNION 15th Beryl Adams 16th Roger Kerslake President & Preacher...……………………...... …Canon Tom Albert C Ward 9.30 am SUNG COMMUNION 17th David Gilbert President ……………………..……….……….………..Canon Tom 21st David Wilson Preacher …………………………………….…….….Dr Mike Fluck 24th Donald Guest 6.00 pm ‘REFRESHED’ EVENSONG Jessie Brown Leader ……………………………….…..……….....… Canon Tom Susan Miller THURSDAY 2 APRIL 26th Marian Ashton 27th Peggy Bradey 10.30am HOLY COMMUNION 28th Ann Fluck President & Preacher ……………………....…….Canon Tom DIARY OF MAIN EVENTS Date Time Event Venue Every Friday 10.00am Little Seeds Stay & Play Pallant Hall (term-time) Every 1st 10.00am Coffee Morning with stalls and raffle Church Saturday Every 2nd 10.00am Church cleaning and maintenance morning Church Saturday Every 2nd 8.00pm Men’s group social gathering at the Old House at Old House Friday Home. All men welcome! Next month at Nick at Home Saunder’s house. Ask for details! Every Last 2.00pm TAT—Thursdays at Two—social gathering with Pallant Hall Thursday games, cakes, chat and fun Sat 21 March 10 to 12 Mission Planning Morning Church

Sat 28 March 10.00am Lent Conference with Canon Angela Tilby (of Church Radio 4 Thought for the Day) Wed 1 April 10-2pm ‘Easter Experience’ for Bosmere Pupils Church

20 to 26 April All days Exhibition by local figurative artist, Carol Church Acworth Tues 21 April 12.30pm Lunchtime Concerts Season begins Church

Sat 2 May 7.30pm Canon Tom supports The Wurzels Pallant Hall Tickets £19.50 on sale via www.eventbrite.com or the Parish Office can help you purchase. Friday 8 May 9.30am Civic Service for VE Day 75 Church Friday 8 May Spitfire Sisters Pallant Hall Tickets on sale via www.eventbrite.com 16 to 23 May All days Mark Chaldecott—local artist exhibition Church

THE NEXT FIVE YEARS Do make a date to join us on our second Mission Planning Morning on Saturday 21 March (from 10am to 12 midday).

Just a little reminder that the parish office email address [email protected] Please don’t use [email protected] as it goes somewhere completely different! Morning prayer is held in Church on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 9.00am. All welcome for a half hour of regular, sustaining prayer. Prayer Books available—but you may like to download the Daily Prayer app on your phone (free of charge from Google Play Store)

CLUSTER PRAYER DIARY 15th The PO9 Pioneer Ministry – Stuart Holmes 16th Bedhampton Churchwardens - Sandra Matthews, Ann Partridge 17th Warren Park - Church of St Clare 18th Rowlands Castle Schools - St John’s CofE Primary School 19th Bedhampton Clergy – Max Cross 20th Warren Park Schools - Warren Park, St Clare Pre-School 21st Havant Churchwardens – Clive Barnett, Colin Hedley 22nd Rowlands Castle Churchwardens - Pamela Ewing, Terry Monahan 23rd Leigh Park Infant Schools, Front Lawn Infant, Riders Infant, Trosnant Infant, Barncroft Infant 24th Bedhampton Reader Emeritus - Margaret Harckham 25th West Leigh Clergy - Karina Green, Max Millett PtO 26th Leigh Park - Church of St Francis 27th West Leigh Churchwardens - Sharon Hardie, David Vincent 28th Leigh Park Junior and Secondary Schools, Front Lawn Junior, Riders Junior, Trosnant Juniors, Park Community, Barncroft Juniors

CAN YOU HELP? Lifts often required by church members. See Sandra (in Church) or Pauline (in the Office) if you can help! WALSINGHAM PILGRIMAGE—The next Walsingham Pilgrimage will take place 17 -19 April 2020. A weekend of spiritual depth and great meaning in the beautiful Norfolk countryside.

If you want to find out more about the Pilgrimage please speak with Bishop John, Sandra Haggan, Jackie Martin or Peter Elmes. Havant The Annual Parochial Church Meeting Rotary Quiz will be held on 20th March at Sunday 26th April Hayling Island Community after the Parish Eucharist. Centre. 11.00am to 12.00 noon In aid of ‘Shelterbox’ and local

charities. We have several vacancies on the PCC: Teams of six - £12.50 per head, to please consider whether God is include a two-course meal. Raffle calling you to serve! If you’d like to enter a team, please contact Keith Morley Speak to Canon Tom or any PCC ([email protected]) - or speak to member if you would like to know more. Canon Tom.

A deanery visit to the diocese of KOFORIDUA, GHANA When?– October 2020 For how long? – 10 days How much? – approx. £1000 Why? – to visit link churches -to visit hospitals, schools and dioce- san projects To meet and engage with fellow Christians in Ghana

INTERESTED? Contact Angela Herring , for a NO OBLIGATION chat or enquiry 07890995327 Coming soon….more details of our [email protected] VE Day Celebrations, and two art exhibitions (in April and May).

The Last Word - From Canon Tom

From the Plague-pit… “I hope you’re not bored”, “use the time to relax and read”, “don’t get stir-crazy” are just some of the kind comments I’ve received over the last few days (since announcing that Clare and I need to self-isolate, as a result of accidental exposure to the Corona virus). Which just goes to show how poorly I have managed to communicate what the life of modern-day Incumbent is really like! The fact is that I spend between 80% and 90% of my normal working week at my computer. Which is crazy! But which is also absolutely necessary - for it is at the computer that all the work of the parish gets done, including:  Writing sermons and service sheets events - including poster design and  Answering emails from parishioners and circulation the diocese (about 40 per day)  drafting the Mission Development Plan  Using social media to communicate with a for the next five years much wider audience than come to church  applying for faculties for church projects on Sunday (over 2,000 people engage  fundraising (writing begging letters and with some of our Facebook posts) proposals)  Organising annual meeting papers - the  monitoring finances and second- annual report and election ballots authorising bank payment and staff wages  checking and circulating minutes of  responding to enquiries from musicians, meetings brides, baptism families, & community  planning the lunchtime concerts organisations about using the church programmes, future art exhibitions, Bible  keeping up to date with Diocesan and course, planning God in Art evenings, national church policies, as well as charity writing Choral Evensong service sheets commission and other legal policies  writing and delivering school assemblies -  organising preaching and leading rotas and developing the Pray, Bake Read  attending Diocesan and Deanery programme. meetings, as well as meetings with local  marketing and promotion of forthcoming churches, the Council and others.

And that’s just for starters! Which is why I am immensely grateful that we have a Lay Pastor, in the form of the fantastic Sandra Haggan, supported by her brilliant team of welcomers, stewards and pastoral visitors. In many ways, they together carry out the functions of the traditional parish priest - caring for those in need, spending quality time with those who need it. In fact, they do it much more effectively than any parish priest could ever do it - because together there are more of them than any one parish priest could ever be. For me, this a great example of the Body of Christ working together as one. Together, we are much stronger, and more effective, than any one of us could possibly be. And thankfully, my recent self-isolation hasn’t interfered all that much in my duties and responsibilities! Canon Tom