2 news Hospice to mark 35 years Retiring after 38 of service CHURCHGOERS are urged to celebrate 35 years of the Isle of Wight’s hospice at a special HEyears is our diocese’s of ministry“Mike is an incorrigible, anniversary service this month. longest-serving parish imaginative and energetic The thanksgiving service at enthusiast,” he said. 3pm on May 4 is an opportunity priest – and he’s stepping “Whether it’s ministry among to mark the contributions down this summer. young people, which has been of all those involved in the Canon Mike Sheffield, vicar a characteristic of his work; development of the Earl of St George’s Church, Water- processions, which are undertaken Mountbatten Hospice, and give looville, will retire this summer for the thinnest of reasons; thanks for the community’s huge after 38 years in ordained ministry, pilgrimages – ten to the Holy support. all within our diocese. He was Land and many to Walsingham; Bishop Christopher and the ordained back in July 1979 the stage, where his roles have Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of by the then Bishop of Portsmouth, included a nun in The Sound of Wight, Maj Gen Martin White, the Rt Rev . Music; or incense which once made will attend the celebration at All Mike had originally been a an outing at Locks Heath where, Saints Church, Ryde. teacher in Essex and trained for in a parish obviously without a Past and current staff ordination in Salisbury. His first thurible, he used a coconut shell members and volunteers will post, as , was at St John’s instead.” also be present, along with Church, Locks Heath, where he And Mike is keen for the patients, carers and fundraising was part of a team that introduced Church to be seen not as a supporters. The service will a new scheme for more than 50 Mike Sheffield being installed as a Canon last year with his wife members-only club, but a place include a performance from the teenagers. Lynda and Bishop Christopher where Christians worship and hear hospice’s community choir. After four years there, he each of the 13 groups of parishes It involved 6,000 worshippers God’s call for mission. Chief executive Nigel became curate at Holy Trinity, in a day. He did so by reaching from parishes across the mainland “God is in everything we do!” Hartley said: “Our hospice Ryde – the start of 13 years serving each one by a different mode of and the Isle of Wight coming he said. “The really vital role of a belongs to everyone and this is a churches in Ryde. Among the transport. These included ferry, together on a very hot day. parish priest is to introduce people celebration of their contribution, highlights there was the creation train, bus, fire engine, police car Mike chaired a planning team to God by bringing them into which is so important to of the Ryde Group Ministry, and the Bembridge lifeboat. which chartered an Isle of Wight Church or by taking the Church to recognise.” which involved six parishes. Mike From 1996, he was vicar of St ferry, commissioned giant puppets them. It has been a real privilege The of the Isle of was the convenor of the group, Alban’s, West Leigh, where he to tell the Emmaus Road story, to work and worship alongside so Wight, the Ven Peter Sutton, said and found it rewarding to see the was delighted to work alongside and organised a Family Fun Day, many willing and hard-working “All of our parishes are familiar churches working together. the people and clergy of the other including a beer tent and children’s people in the Church and in the with the work of the hospice He said: “A particular highlight Leigh Park parishes. fairground rides. community. and delight in giving thanks to was a Holy Saturday evening He arranged a deanery-wide Then in 2004, he became vicar “My wife Lynda and I feel God for it and celebrating this service when all six Paschal Eucharist on Hayling Island which at St George’s Waterlooville, very sorry to be leaving but milestone. Chaplains, parish Candles were lit together from one brought together worshippers where processions, schools and we’re reassured to know that the clergy, lay pastoral assistants candle brought from the cathedral from parishes across Havant and music have continued to feature congregation of St George’s will and many others engage with in a glass jar, still alight, and Waterlooville. And he was proud in Mike’s ministry. Among other keep the worship vibrant and the the hospice in many ways and carried by Canon David Isaac on to take the people of St Alban’s developments was the annual welcome warm for all those who are privileged to share in such the hovercraft!” to celebrate their Sunday Parish Waterlooville Music Festival, venture inside. important ministry.” Mike also helped to organise Eucharist in our cathedral. hosted by the church and attracting “I hope that during my ministry There are refreshments after Bishop Timothy Bavin’s farewell In 2002, our diocese marked thousands of music-lovers. people have been brought into the visit to the East Wight deanery in the service. Parking around the its 75th anniversary and the Bishop Christopher paid Church and helped to listen to 1995. The bishop wanted to visit church is limited. centrepiece of the celebrations was tribute to him last year as he was God’s call, in small and un-noticed an open-air Diocesan Eucharist on installed as an honorary Canon of ways as well as in the big events Castle Field in Southsea. Portsmouth Cathedral. and great acts of worship.”

The Pompey Chimes is the official newspaper of the ’s Walking football hits the right spot Diocese of Portsmouth, which covers 142 parishes in south-east WHEN Farlington churchgoer Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Its circulation is 8,000, and it is pro- John Twine injured his knee, duced monthly except for January and August. Each parish pays 15p for each copy, which allows our readers to pick it up for free on the final he realised there was a way he Sunday of the previous month. Paid-for adverts are dealt with by our could still play football. publishers, Cornerstone Vision. For a list of editorial deadlines, see: www. He organised a team of portsmouth.anglican.org/pompeychimes over-50s to play walking DEADLINE FOR JUNE EDITION: Portsmouth, PO2 8HB (023-9289 football each week at Goals in Monday 8 May 9673 or neil.pugmire@portsmouth. anglican.org) Tangier Road, Portsmouth. AVAILABLE TO COLLECT FROM It’s under the umbrella of the DEANERY DEPOTS: Thursday 25 May ADVERTISING: Glenda Charitos, Christian charity Faith and Cornerstone Vision, 28 Old Park Road, Football, for which John is a AVAILABLE IN YOUR CHURCH: Peverell, Plymouth, PL3 4PY (01752- trustee. Sunday 28 May 225623 or glenda@cornerstonevision. com) Each Wednesday night CONTACTS: from 6.30pm-7.30pm, 20 or The walking football team at Goals in Portsmouth EDITORIAL: Neil Pugmire, First Floor, SUBSCRIPTIONS: Neil Pugmire so over 50s gather to play, Peninsular House, Wharf Road, (contact details as above) including ex-Pompey player “In fact we have a good other local sides.” All photos and details of children and young people in the Pompey Chimes Mick Mellows. time, getting some exercise, All new players are are published with the informed and express written permission of those “We ’t take ourselves developing friendships and welcome – just turn up. It costs who have parental responsibility for them. too seriously,” said John. entering tournaments against just £3 a session.