Benefice Newsletter

Services

Deanery Synod

Will be held at Old Alresford Place at 6.30 on 4th June. Please continue to pray for your Deanery Synod representative, your PCC members and Churchwardens. Newton Valence PCC will be on 30th June at 6.30

Churchwardens

Our Churchwardens will be commissioned at one of the special Archdeacon’s Visitation services this month. Archdeacon's Visitations are significant events in the life of a parish, as Churchwardens are charged with ensuring compliance with church regulations while providing support and encouragement to church leaders. It is a very ancient office of the Church which dates back to the 14th century.

Churchwardens are expected to lead the parishioners by setting a good example and encouraging unity and peace. They have a duty to always maintain order in the church and churchyard, and especially during services. Ideally, each parish should have 2 Churchwardens, but this is not always achievable. If you might be interested in this historic role, do please speak with Carrie or Lesley as we do have vacancies. In case you’re wondering, Churchwarden pipes are reputedly so named as their long-stems bear a resemblance to the long "candle snuffer" used by Churchwardens in their duties. It is not a requirement for our Churchwardens to smoke pipes!

Weddings

We have two weddings this month, both in Chawton. On the 14th Emma Tallett and Gareth Lewis, and on the 28th Fleur Mynott and Huw Gordon. We pray for them as they prepare for their weddings and for their future lives together

Rogation Walk

Special thanks go to Rev John Ellison for leading this year’s Rogation Walk and to the churches and community for the most delicious tea. The new kitchen in W Worldham was much admired by visitors. John celebrated his 88th birthday two days afterwards and we thank him for his continuing ministry among us.

Special Services

Something special coming up! On July 20th at 5.30 there will be a special service of Evensong in Chawton to celebrate the birthday of Gilbert White on the 18th July and to mark the 250th anniversary of the death of Jane Austen, also on 18th July. Presented as a collaboration between the Gilbert White House and the Northanger Benefice, the service will be in the tradition of Evensong as held in the 17th/18th Century. Gilbert White preached in Chawton and we will use one of his sermons. The content of the service will be contemporaneous and will be led by The Madding Crowd. The choir dress in costumes of the time and are accompanied by musicians, also of the time. Their Director of Music has kindly offered a workshop at 2.30 for all who would like to know more of the music and learn some of the tunes etc that will be sung during the service. There is no charge although there will be a voluntary retiring collection. Do please come along on this very special occasion and spread the word amongst your friends and contacts.

Prayer needs

Our schools, as the children return after half-term. We pray particularly for Year 6 pupils as they prepare to move on the secondary education and who are looking forward to their special Leavers’ Services in the cathedral. We pray for all who are sick, bereaved, lonely or dealing with difficult issues in their lives. We continue to pray for peace and stability in the world; for world leaders that they continue to seek mutually acceptable resolutions to so many conflicts and for all those providing humanitarian aid to populations in crisis.

Website

If you have a church event you want to advertise or photos of a special happening please let Carrie or Jon Fuller know if you have something to contribute. Please use the contact form.

Please contact me (revcarriewalshaw@gmail.com) or 01420 576209 if you want to put anything into the May newsletter.