Benefice News
Here is the weekly news sheet for w/b 18th January
This week, we see, having been baptised, how Jesus gains his followers primarily the Gospel says through the proclamation of John the Baptist to disciples who were already following him. “Here is the Lamb of God,” says John…” After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me”. At this point, Jesus has not said a word in public and when the two disciples of John follow him because of John’s testimony, they are invited to ‘Come and see’. This kind of testimony and an invitation to ‘Come and see’, is still the best way to help those who have had no contact with Jesus to come and explore a Christian life for themselves and in the same way, our testimony should encourage them to do so. How can we be effective in inviting someone to ‘Come and see’ who we are and what we do? After all, it may be exactly what they are looking for!
We look forward to seeing you!
Revd Joy
Latest News and Upcoming Events
The Bible Course
I am proposing to run The Bible Course over the next three months. There are 8 sessions which cover all aspects of the Good book. If you would like to explore the Bible in more detail and feel more connected to God’s Word and see how Jesus features as much in the Old Testament as the New Testament, come along on Thursday evenings at 7pm on the following dates:
Thursday 22nd January
Thursday 12th February , Thursday 26th February
Thursday 12th March, Thursday 19th March, Thursday 26th March
Thursday 9th April, Thursday 16th April
All the sessions will be at Blendworth Hills Retirement Village’s Garden Room apart from Thursday 12th February which will be at Blendworth Church Centre Chapel.
The session lasts 90 minutes. If you have to miss a session, don’t worry; we can catch you up and there’s a study book to assist you. Please let me know if you’d like to join the course so that I can order the correct resources. To register either email/phone me or complete the registration form by following this link https://forms.gle/e9wFNnrsTo73pozZ8.
Dragonfly Gig on 21st February at the Blendworth Church Centre
Come and enjoy music from the 60s through to the 90s from Dragonfly at the Blendworth Church Centre on Saturday 21st February. Doors open at 6:45pm. Tickets are £10 each with an additional £0.50 booking fee and can be purchased here. There will be a cash bar and raffle during the evening.
Dragonfly are a 5 piece band based in the Portsmouth area. All their gigs are for charity. Dragonfly have played at several churches in the area, St Wilfred’s Cowplain, St Faith’s Havant and Hartplain Church, Waterlooville. Here are some testimonials from these gigs.
Horndean and Clanfield Foodbank
foodbank@horndeanbaptistchurch.org.uk
We are collecting for the Horndean and Clanfield foodbanks. They need, cereals, long life milk, spreads, pasta and sauces, tea, small jars of coffee and biscuits, tinned fruit, custard, rice, noodles, snack pots, beans, hoops, macaroni cheese, toiletries, tinned vegetables, tinned meat, tinned fish, tinned pies. Please, no fresh produce or short date items. Details from Revd Joy.
Community Clothing Bank
Holy Trinity’s Clothing Bank at Blendworth Church Centre, Blendworth Lane, Waterlooville, PO8 0AA, will be open on the 4th Saturday of the month from 10am to 12pm or by appointment by contacting 07443 488864 or email Blendworth Church Centre.
What’s happening in The Benefice
You can find out about all our church services here. There are some special events in The Benefice coming up in the next few weeks. More details about these events can be found by selecting the images below.
Launch of a new film about Saint Hubert’s
The film tells the story, in an exciting and holistic approach, about this special church and its surroundings.
One of Hampshire’s oldest churches – St Hubert’s at Idsworth – is now using modern technology to tell its fascinating story for all its many visitors to enjoy. Accessible by a QR code at the church, the 20-minute film is the result of a collaborative project between the Parochial Church Council of St Hubert’s and the University of Portsmouth’s Heritage Hub.
The film looks at the rich history of the location and the present, almost 1,000-year-old, church building, with its nationally important wall paintings, alongside landscape, archaeology, people, usage and conservation. “The film aims, and has the capacity, to raise awareness and communicate key narratives of this significant historic site to local, national and international audiences.”
Press play to view.
St Hubert’s is open every day from 9.00 am until 6.00 pm from 1st April until 30th September and from 9.00 am until 4.00 pm from 1st October until 31st March. There are church services every Sunday at 9.30 pm unless otherwise stated on the church notice board or on the calendar.
The BCI Churches
Revd Joy Windsor
Priest in Charge 07521 862285
We worship together on Sunday mornings, and are involved in many other aspects of church and village life. We would love to welcome you to any of our churches and get to know you, so please click on the links to find out more.
With a wealth of history to explore, and many unique and beautiful features we are well worth a visit.
Photographs from Revd Joy’s licensing and installation are on the About Us page.
Anna Chaplaincy
BCI Churches and the United Benefice of Catherington and Clanfield are looking for an Anna Chaplain who could come alongside our Anna Chaplain, Dawn, to accompany older people at this age and stage of their lives. It is an ecumenical, community-based, chaplaincy promoting the spiritual welfare of older people. Anna Chaplaincy is a person-centred and non-judgemental ministry for people of strong, little or no faith at all. We have expanded our ministry to 4 nursing and care homes and one sheltered housing complex. We are in need of someone willing to train as a Chaplain with the Diocese and to be able to work with our team of ‘Anna Friends’ to bring this ministry to our older residents. You would need to be able to give one to two days a month at minimum. Please talk to either Revd Richard or Revd Joy in the first instance.
About our Churches
Thank you for visiting our website which I hope you will find both welcoming and useful. The BCI Churches are a benefice of Holy Trinity in Blendworth, Saint Michael and All Angels in Chalton and Saint Hubert’s in Idsworth. However, we are more than just buildings; we are a community of people who are inspired by our faith in God, to learn from the teachings of Jesus and seek to be led by the Holy Spirit, to love and serve the community around us.
Our Safeguarding Policy
The Parishes of Blendworth, Chalton and Idsworth are fully committed to safeguarding all of God’s people. The Benefice Safeguarding Policy was agreed at the Benefice Standing Committee meeting held on 10th February 2025. If you have any questions, or to report a safeguarding concern, please contact Revd Joy, 07521 862285. If you prefer to contact somebody from outside of the parishes, please contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm Email: safeguarding@portsmouth.anglican.org, 023 9289 9665 or Out of Hours advice can be sought from the Thirtyone:eight helpline on 0303 003 1111, selecting option 2.
Registered Address: Benefice Office, Blendworth Lane, Waterlooville, PO8 0AA
