As the year draws to a close, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all our wonderful Church community for all their commitment and hard work, not just during Advent but throughout the whole year.  I salute and express gratitude to the teams who work so hard to put together our spiritually sustaining and varied services, those who help with the worship,  every person who looks after our beautiful church buildings,  those who help with our community outreach, our Churchwardens and the PCC.  Every single person helps to make our Parish the very special community that it is, and we are so grateful to you all.

On behalf of all of us, I extend particular appreciation to Beccy Clark, without whom the Parish absolutely could not function and whose attention to detail, concern for others, efficiency, kindness and warmth make all the difference.

After an active year, if we needed any further confirmation that our Parish is flourishing, it could be found in the really exceptional Carol Service held at St Swithun’s in Martyr Worthy on Sunday evening.   The church was absolutely packed, the choir sang magnificently, Gerry Stacey delivered a superb Christmas message and many people stayed afterwards to enjoy more time in each other’s company – this was community life in a rural Parish at its best.

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and a peaceful new year – we look forward to what the Lord has planned for our Parish in 2026.

John Barber

Traditional carols in St Swithun’s, Martyr Worthy

Parking for our Christmas Services

Crib Service and Christmas Morning Family Communion – St Mary’s, Easton

Parking will only be very limited in Church Lane. Can those people not close enough to walk please car share or try and find somewhere else in the village to park.

Christmas Eve Midnight Communion – St John’s, Itchen Abbas

The field at St John’s is currently closed but parking is available at Itchen Abbas Village Hall.

Giving this Christmas

This Christmas we are supporting the following charities – Winchester Beacon, Trinity Winchester and the Winchester Hospice. The collections taken at our Christmas services will be donated to these charities (not to the parish) and you can also donate to them from this link.

Services

Sunday 28 December

we will not have any services but details of Cathedral services can be found here http://www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk

Sunday 4 January

10am Parish Communion – St Swithun’s, Martyr Worthy