On a glorious Sunday morning, with the sun streaming through the windows of St Swithun’s, a good congregation gathered for Valley Worship yesterday in Martyr Worthy.    James Greig led the service and its theme was the holiness of God, drawing on 1 Peter 1, verses 13 to 16.   In his talk John Barber addressed this theme and how it is possible to have a relationship with a holy God, to receive forgiveness from him and to live lives that reflect God’s best for us.    Tim Clapp, joined by Sarah Noble on the violin and Tim Uffindell (the leader of the Gospel Collective Choir in Alresford) on the keyboard, led the worship, which was alternatively rousing and reflective.   As the latest ‘episode’ in our long running Every Day Lives series, James interviewed Kelly Gibson, who spoke movingly of her journey of faith and of the impact on Kelly and her husband Mike of all the prayers offered for them after the premature arrival of their beautiful daughter Aoife last year (who was in great form at the service and seemed to enjoy it to the fullest!).     During the service Verity Greig led a typically creative Ark session across the lane in the Village Hall.

The service was followed by the Annual Village Meeting and the Annual Church District Church Meeting for Martyr Worthy, both ably chaired by Sara Mason, during which Malcolm Hogg was re-elected as Church Warden, as were the existing members of the DCC and the existing Deputy Churchwardens, Verger and Sacristan.

Malcolm reported that the fabric of the building is satisfactory and recorded thanks to Simon Ffennell for his care of the building, and for all his other support.

John Prince gave a report on behalf of the Friends

Malcolm saluted Sara for her outstanding service as Church Warden over the last six years and, on behalf of a very grateful congregation, gave her a gift to thank her for all her hard work and wisdom in this role as she prepares to step down from it.

The recording of John’s talk can be accessed here:

The text of John’s talk can be downloaded here.