weekly PARTNERS newsletter

Growing in Faith, Reaching Out 26 August 2018 to All Trinity 13

St Mary’s For the last 10 months I’ve been helping to look after Lyndhurst, Emery Down and so on Tuesday evening I SP6 1BB was invited to attend the licensing of their new priest by Bishop Jonathan. St Mary’s He took as his text the two verses about the parable of the SP6 2DF pearl of great value found by a merchant. The merchant sold everything he had - everything – to buy that pearl. The pearl Holy Ascension represents the kingdom of God and the message is, that if you Hyde have God you don’t need anything else. SP6 2QJ

That’s a huge challenge for us. Maybe in our context it isn’t St Giles about giving away everything we have but using all we have to Godshill make God known in this place. SP6 2JJ

Mark Ward St Boniface SP6 2AJ We welcome all, especially visitors and those attending for the first

time. If you need gluten free wafers at Communion, please speak to someone at the door before the service. St Mary’s Hale Please take this newsletter home with you for SP6 2RF the week ahead.

Please stay after the morning service for tea and coffee, to meet folk and ask any questions. God Bless Uniting Church SP6 1PT

EMERGENCY PRAYER CHAIN : Please send all requests for prayer to [email protected]. If you feel able to commit to regular prayer for those on the list and wish to become a prayer partner, please make contact via the above e-mail address. READINGS - for you to use today and during the week

26 August 2018 — Trinity 13

COLLECT:

Almighty God, you search us and know us: may we rely on you in strength and rest on you in weakness, now and in all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

PSALM 84 (For Morning Prayer)

1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul has a desire and longing to enter the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.

2 The sparrow has found her a house and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young: at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.

3 Blessed are they who dwell in your house: they will always be praising you.

4 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion,

5 Who going through the barren valley find there a spring and the early rains will clothe it with blessing.

6 They will go from strength to strength and appear before God in Zion.

7 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; listen, O God of Jacob.

8 Behold our defender, O God, and look upon the face of your anointed.

9 For one day in your courts is better than a thousand.

10 I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of ungodliness.

11 For the Lord God is both sun and shield; he will give grace and glory; no good thing shall the Lord withhold from those who walk with integrity.

12 O Lord God of hosts, blessed are those who put their trust in you.

A Reading from the Letter to the Ephesians Ephesians 6:10-20

Christians need to protect themselves with God's armour.

10 Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak

At the end, the Reader says: For the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

THE GOSPEL READING Please stand and turn to face the Gospel Reader

When the Gospel is announced, the Reader says: Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. Glory to you, O Lord. (Glory be to thee, O Lord.)

John 6:56-69

Jesus continues to speak of himself as the life-giver, and some of his followers turn away. Peter assures him of the loyalty of the inner group.

Jesus said to the crowd: 56 ‘Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live for ever.’59 He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. 60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’ 61 But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, ‘Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But among you there are some who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. 65 And he said, ‘For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.’ 66 Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. 67 So Jesus asked the twelve, ‘Do you also wish to go away?’ 68 Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.’

At the end, the Reader says: (At the end, the Reader says: This is the Gospel of the Lord. This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Praise be to thee, O Christ.)

(c) New Revised Standard Version of the Holy Bible.

POST COMMUNION PRAYER:

God our creator, you feed your children with the true manna, the living bread from heaven: let this holy food sustain us through our earthly pilgrimage until we come to that place where hunger and thirst are no more; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

GARY OUT AND ABOUT : Wednesday morning, Communion at Fordingbridge, and then Hale Holiday Club until Friday.

EVERYMAN REMEMBERED : Tuesday 28th August at 11am at the Fordingbridge War Memorial Gates—we will be remembering Alfred Witt. A short commemoration, with known details of his life, and prayers. All welcome to come to honour those who have died in war.

‘RIDE AND STRIDE’ : On Saturday, September 8th, our Churches will be open for ‘Ride and Stride’ - people walking, cycling or driving as part of the Historic Churches Trust event. Details at: www.rideandstrideuk.org, and look for /Wiltshire/ Dorset.

CONGRATULATIONS to Margaret Hallas who will be 100 years old on Monday 27th August. Margaret has been a loyal member of Sandleheath congregation, she was an organist at St Aldhlem's and a hand bell ringer for many years. We will be holding a birthday tea for Margaret on Sunday 26th August in the church schoolroom in Sandleheath from 3.30 p.m. Please do join us if you would like to wish Margaret a Happy Birthday.

PRAYER GYM : A course on prayer which we are hoping to run in Lent next year. Could you be a 'Fitness Trainer' to help lead the course. You don't have to be an expert in prayer, just someone who is willing to learn, and to facilitate others on their journey. There will be some training offered in the autumn - four sessions, hopefully delivered locally. It would be really good to have all of our Parishes represented. Have a word with one of the Ministry Team or Wardens if you are interested in finding out more. Thanks, Gary.

PUDDLE DUCKLINGS is changing its time! We still meet on the first Thursday of the month but from Thursday 6th September Puddle Ducklings will be from 12.30pm to 2.30pm. Parents and carers with pre- school aged babies and children are very welcome. You may wish to bring your own packed lunch and tables will be set up for children to sit and eat together. Tea, coffee and squash will be provided as usual. There will still be the traditional welcome song, bubble prayers, craft table, toys and plenty of time to chat with old and new friends! We will finish at 2.30pm to give those collecting older children from school plenty of time to get there. We look forward to seeing you in September. If you would like to know more please contact Mummy Puddle Duckling - Janet Newman 01425 653269.

HYDE MESSY CHURCH : Messy Church will start again in the Autumn term on Monday 10th September at 3.30pm.

FORDINGBRIDGE FOODBANK: I have just dropped off a load of your kindly donated food (including a huge number of meat pies) so thank you as ever for all your generosity and rapid response to appeals. The Warehouse is currently very low on Chocolate and Dried Mash if you are able to help. Sarah Perrelle

100 YEARS 100 DAYS – prayers for peace : Churches are being encouraged to mark the centenary of the 1918 National Day of Prayer by praying for peace in the 100 days from 4 August to Remembrance Sunday, 11 November 2018. Prayers, Bible readings and reflections on peace, written by Christians across the denominational spectrum, are available in a beautifully designed format to make it easy for churches and individuals to join in. 100 Days of Peace and Hope – 100 short daily Bible readings, prayers, reflections on peace and peace-making actions. Find out more, and download 100 Days of Peace and Hope at www.remembrance100.co.uk/100-days/ A small number of printed copies will be available in each church, or if you would like one printed, please contact the Church Office.

HARVEST FESTIVAL SUPPER : Saturday 29 September from 6.30pm at Woodgreen Village Hall. Ploughmans and choice of homemade puds, glass of cider or apple juice on arrival. Fairtrade tea/coffee plus licensed bar. Tickets £12 adult, £6 for under 14s. On sale at Woodgreen Community Shop. All proceeds to St Boniface, Woodgreen. Contact Nicky Davies for further information 07931 413629

WELLNESS EVENING : Come and join us at St Boniface, Woodgreen on Friday 7th September from 7pm to 9.30pm for our wonderful Wellness Evening. Different zones including Pamper (mini facials/hand massages); Pilates (short introduction); Refreshment (drinks, wine, homemade nibbles and canapes); Natural (healthy foods and essential oils) and Quiet (relax, pray and light a candle). Tickets only £8, incuding a glass of Fairtrade wine, from Nicky Davies 07931 413629.

EVERYMAN REMEMBERED : 16th September—we will be remembering George Dorrington Hall during the 11am service at Breamore. A short commemoration, with known details of his life, silence, prayers and the ringing of the bells. All welcome to come to honour those who have died in war.

LOOK OUT FOR “Books to Borrow” coming soon: a “Pop-Up” table, with mainly Christian books, which will appear now and then in our churches or at coffee mornings by arrangement. Treat yourself to a good read. A variety of books (and we welcome modern Christian books you have enjoyed, which you no longer want, to increase our stocks). Get in touch if you have books, or want “Books to Borrow” to visit your church or coffee morning. St Boniface Woodgreen, St Giles Godshill, and St Mary’s Fordingbridge are already on the list. Pat Bloomfield 837735, Gwenda Moore 650104.

PETER WHEELER, previously of Close, Woodgreen died in Salisbury District Hospital on May 6, 2018. A memorial service and thanksgiving for his life will take place at 3.30pm on Saturday 8 September at St Boniface Church, Woodgreen, to be followed by tea in the Village Hall. For planning/ catering, please let us know if you are able to attend by calling Mrs Margaret Wheeler on 01722 415453 or by email to [email protected]. Also please let us know if you’d like to help in any way (e.g. flower arranging, cake or tea making, ushering, car parking, a reading, a memory or eulogy)

HYDE FRIENDSHIP GROUP : The date of the next Friendship Group has changed to September 14th. We are a very friendly group and welcome anyone who would like to come for a bit of entertainment and a nice tea. Transport can be arranged if needed. Contact Marrianne 01425 838660

PRAYER VIGIL FOR THE BENEFICE - 7 hours, 7 days, 7 churches- 17th-23rd September 2018. We are holding a prayer vigil for the Avon Valley Partnership for seven days from 10am until 5pm to join together in asking for God’s guidance and blessing as we enter a new phase and a new school year. This event is a way of us joining together as a whole community to get to know people from the rest of the Partnership and pray for our mission, each other, our leaders, our friends, the local community, the wider church, the world and anything else pressing on our hearts. Our goal is that by giving this time to God, we will be able to discern how God is already speaking to our congregations and inspiring us to be his hands and feet in our geographical area. There will be a travelling prayer installation which will be set up and moved from church to church which will not only assist your prayer time but also ‘collect’ how God is speaking to us in the Partnership so that we can pray through and discern his will. We will also produce a prayer sheet for those who will be unable to join us in person but will support us in their own time and in their own way for the seven-day vigil. I will be putting up a list in each church to encourage people to sign up for hour-long slots because our ideal scenario is that every one of the churches has someone praying for the full 7 hours and I will be visiting each church to see how the lists are going in the coming weeks. You are free to come on your own, with a partner or in a group and we encourage you to visit as many of the churches as you wish and hope that you will be excited to have a greater understand- ing of the Benefice as a whole. The event will end with a special service where we will share prayer musings and scripture. More details to follow but if you would like to help organise one of the prayer installations or have any great prayer ideas, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Jo Heath, [email protected] or ring 07515533685. I look forward to praying with you all soon. REFLECTION : The television programme on ‘The Seasons in the New Forest’ was such a source of information about how the New Forest people live with each other together with their animals and all the wild life. A young man wanting to make a living from cattle farming, was hand feeding a new born calf showing such patience, loving gentleness and satisfaction when it took milk from the mother. The man who lived in the trees sharing his great knowledge of how the trees lived and survived – how they relied on each other as well as us humans to get through the winter months. The middle aged woman who had lived on a forest farm all her life and now had her own farm shared her long experience of Forest Life, showing her love for and understanding of her cattle. She shared her philosophy on living with animals, explaining that animals should be treated as animals and not as humans by letting nature take its course. Wonderful stories showing us how much we all rely on each other to live and survive, remembering we are all one. Daphne Himmel This Week 26 August 2018 — Trinity 13

Sunday 26 8.00am Holy Communion Fordingbridge Aug 9.30am Sung Eucharist Fordingbridge 9.30am Holy Communion (and Bible Course / Hyde lunch) 10.00am Iona Holy Communion Woodgreen 10.45am Morning Service Sandleheath 11.00am Matins Breamore 12.15pm Baptism Breamore 6.30pm Evensong Fordingbridge

Monday 27 9.00am Morning prayer Fordingbridge Tuesday 28 10.45am Holiday at Home Fordingbridge 11.00am Everyman remembered—Alfred Witt Fordingbridge Wednesday 29 9.00am Morning Prayer Fordingbridge 10.00am Holy Communion Fordingbridge 7.45pm Meditation Drop-In Fordingbridge Thursday 30 7.30pm Bell Ringing Fordingbridge Friday 31 10.30am Fairtrade Coffee Morning Woodgreen Saturday 1 12noon Wedding—Jonathan Few and Alison Lewis Fordingbridge

Sunday 2 8.00am Holy Communion Fordingbridge September 8.30am Holy Communion Breamore 9.00am Holy Communion Godshill 9.30am Holy Communion Hyde 10.00am Patronal Holy Communion Hale 10.30am Allsorts Fordingbridge 10.45am Morning Service Sandleheath 4.30pm Youth Space Hyde

Contact : Jackie Garratt or Gail Newell, Church Office, The Rainbow Centre, 39 Salisbury Street, Fordingbridge SP6 1AB Tel. 01425 653163 e-mail:[email protected] www.avp-benefice.org.uk CHURCH OFFICE OPEN - MONDAY TO FRIDAY 10.30am to 12 noon