Benefice News
Here is the weekly news sheet for w/b 30th November
Happy new year! or happy new church year!
Yes, once again, we are in Advent; how time flies… but interestingly enough, Advent, in more ancient times, particularly in the Celtic church, was seen as a ‘lesser Lent’. Whilst fasting was not quite as important, nevertheless there was a notion of being prepared to welcome the incarnation, of being ready for what lies ahead.
These days, everyone is so focused on the Christmas holiday, welcoming Jesus seems to slip to a distant second place. Are we truly ready for the Prince of Peace? Are we ready for the demands of the kingdom that he inhabits and that we, as his followers partially know? Let us pray to use this time wisely; not just running to prepare for the big day in material ways but to look forward to refreshing our relationship with our living God this Christmas.
Why not start Advent in a reflective way at our Advent Carol Service at 6pm on Sunday evening at Chalton? Hear our readings which declare Christ’s coming and sing well-known Advent hymns in our candlelit service.
We look forward to seeing you!
Revd Joy
Latest News and Upcoming Events
Mistletoe and Wine
Join us as we prepare for Christmas, with a few Carols, Mulled Wine and Mince Pies.
Saint Hubert’s Church, Idsworth, PO8 0BA. 5pm on 13th December
Amos and the Grumpy Owl
Start your Christmas with a magical story. The Artless Theatre company brings the story of Amos and the Grumpy Owl to the Merchistoun Hall, Horndean, Saturday 20th December at 6pm.
When a boy gets lost in a snowstorm, he seeks shelter with a grumpy man called Amos. The boy begs Amos to hear a story he wants to tell about a grumpy owl so desperate to get some peace and quiet, he almost misses the first Christmas.
Discover the magic in this very special Christmas production for all the family. Tickets are £10/adult and £5/child over 3 years old and they can be purchased by scanning the QR code or following the link to the booking page.
Press play to view.
Quiet Crib Service at Saint Hubert’s 2pm on 23rd December
Our Quiet Crib Service at St Hubert’s is especially for children who do not flourish in big crowds or noisy settings. Tickets are limited to 15 children and 1 carer each. We use Godly Play to explore the Christmas story with quiet carols to sing. You can book your free tickets here.
If there is high demand, an additional service will be made available.
Horndean and Clanfield Foodbank
In addition to the usual appeal for donations to the Foodbank, at this time of year the Horndean and Clanfield Foodbank prepares Christmas Hampers for those in need. Details of suggested donations for the hampers are shown in the adjacent image.
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 07730 168291
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, 07730 168291. 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