Sunday 9 August

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

We would like to invite you to join us this Sunday after our 10am Parish Communion service at St Swithun’s, Martyr Worthy to a picnic in Martyr Worthy Manor Garden. Swimming and tennis also available.

 This is a great opportunity to enjoy a relaxing time with friends and to get to know David, Rachel and the boys.

 In case of poor weather, please keep an eye on the website for any changes.

Please just bring a chair or rug and your picnic, the BBQ will be alight so if you would like to bring something to cook on it, please do.

If you are not planning to come to the service, please join us from 11.30am

Everyone is welcome

 Martyr Worthy Manor, Church Lane, Martyr Worthy SO21 1DY, Park on lane or at top of the drive in the orchard and follow the signs

RSVP (or for more information) – admin@itchenvalleychurches.org

A message from David

“You give them something to eat.” — Matthew 14:16

“The feet are beautiful not because of what they are, but because of where they go and what they carry.”

(Anonymous, reflecting on Romans 10:15)

Thank you for the wonderfully warm welcome you gave us as a family on our first Sunday in the Itchen Valley, both at Parish Communion and at Church with a Splash.

We were deeply encouraged by your kindness and hospitality. For those who were unable to be there, you can catch up with the sermon from the link below.

Over the last few days I have been reading some of the letters of Catherine Booth, the wife of William Booth. Together they founded the Salvation Army, a movement that began with remarkably small and humble beginnings – yet grew into a worldwide witness to Christ.

In one letter, written to encourage someone beginning ministry in a village, Catherine reflected on Jesus’ words about the mustard seed:

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed. Sow the grain, even if the grain is a kindly word to the cranky soldier, or the tear shed in secret, or the effort made in the open air on a wet night; for out of such things springs up the Kingdom of Heaven in the hearts of men.”

— Catherine Bramwell-Booth, Letters

I have found myself pondering those words as I begin ministry among our four villages, and as I have been studying Romans 10:5–15 for this week’s sermon. Paul reminds us that the good news of Jesus reaches people through ordinary men and women who are willing to go, speak, pray, serve, and love.

The truth is that the Kingdom often advances not through dramatic moments, but through the cumulative effect of countless small acts of faithfulness. A patient conversation. A thoughtful invitation. A meal shared. A prayer offered quietly for a neighbour. Such things may seem insignificant, yet God delights to use them.

Catherine Booth spoke of the “cranky soldier”. In 2026, we may be more likely to encounter an exhausted commuter, a lonely neighbour, a weary carer, or a parent trying to juggle work and summer childcare. The call of Jesus remains the same: “You give them something to eat.” We may not feel that we have much to offer, but in Christ even our small gifts can become channels of his grace.

As we begin this new chapter together, my prayer is that our churches will be known for beautiful feet—not because we are remarkable people, but because we carry the good news of Christ into our homes, streets, schools, workplaces, and villages.

Do please join us this Sunday at St Swithun’s, Martyr Worthy, for Parish Communion, including activities for children, followed by a picnic in the garden of the Manor. Please bring your own picnic, and if you are able, perhaps bring a little extra to share. The BBQ will also be available if you would like to use it.

We would love to see you there.

With every blessing,

David

David’s Contact Details

If you would like to contact David, his email address is david@itchenvalleychurches.org

His landline telephone number is 01962 582226 and he will obviously be living at Itchen Valley Rectory with Rachel and the boys.

David’s working days are Monday – Wednesday and services on a Sunday

Cool Church

If you are looking for shelter from the heat this summer, our churches are all open between 9am and 5pm and are all cool for sitting and relaxing.

St John’s, Itchen Abbas also has space for you to bring your children to relax and we will leave the kitchen open for cold drinks and so you can access the bathroom.

If you need any further information don’t hesitate to ask.

Winchester Cathedral ‘Stone by Stone’ Appeal

Revd Canon Andrew Micklefield has asked us to bring to your attention the new public ‘Stone by Stone’ fundraising appeal for Winchester Cathedral.  For more information, please follow this link.

for global peace

for those who are ill or suffering at the moment or for those recently bereaved

for David, Rachel, John and James as they settle into the Rectory and their life in the Parish

for families during the school holidays

The readings for Parish Communion can be read here.

Please check our website in case of

any unexpected changes:

http://www.itchenvalleychurches.org