This is the official website of The Downs Benefice Winchester, Hampshire.

Crawley Mission Links

Notices in brief...

For all the notices and more information, please see our Notices page

In Emergency 

In an emergency, please contact the Rector, Revd Jax Machin on:

 Email: revdjax@downsbenefice.org.uk

Mobile: 07761 055228

Further information about the phone line is available

here

Prayer Requests

If you have any prayer requests, for any concerns lying on your heart or to give thanks, please email the office on office@downsbenefice.org.uk

All prayer requests will be made anonymous before being passed on  to our Prayer Team.

Parish Magazine Deadline

Copy for June/July edition of the Benefice Parish Magazine should be submitted by 12.00 noon - Friday 5th May

This year we have donated to seven charities:

 

The Trinity Centre: 

A Winchester-based charity which addresses the effects of homelessness and vulnerability through specialist practical and emotional support, and proactive prevention, empowering positive change. They help people who are vulnerable to the effects of homelessness, addiction, physical and mental ill health, poverty, social isolation and domestic abuse.

 TrinityWinchester website

 

Karis Kids: 

Karis Kids is a fairly new initiative, started in 2007, which brings hope to children orphaned by AIDS in Uganda.  The Christian charity integrates these children into, and supports them with, adoptive families.  The aim is to place orphans with the families of relatives, but when this is not possible, then with other households in the local church.  In the spring of 2012 the Downs Benefice became involved in a new outreach of the work, with the parish of St Paul’s in Kampala.  The majority of those in the parish live in the Okuvu slum, and this is one of the poorest areas of Kampala.  In the autumn of 2012 Carol Ward had the opportunity to pay a short visit  to Okuvu and met the first 6 supported families and also Rev John Akitu of St Paul’s church.  Since then, we have been able to increase the number of families supported, currently numbering nine. The need is so great and we would love to be able to take on more in due course. 

Downs Benefice contact – Carol Ward   

Karis_Kids_-_Introductory_Letter 

Karis_Newsletter_Autumn_2018

Karis_Kids_-_Summer_Camp_2018

kariskids

Karis Kids video

 

Winchester Churches Night Shelter: 

Winchester Churches Nightshelter is open 365 days a year offering an essential lifeline and first port of call for those in crisis. They provide high quality accommodation and food, a safe and caring temporary home, and specialist support to restore self-esteem, develop skills, and support people back into long-term accommodation and independent living. Their aim is to enable people to rebuild their lives and escape homelessness for good.

WCNS website

The_Nightshelter

Video - "It's more than a bed and a roof"

Video - "The impact of homelessness"

 

Boaz Project

Boaz Project is a therapeutic work environment for adults with learning difficulties, located just outside Winchester.  Here they can achieve a sense of self worth and learn new skills such as working on the land, looking after the animals, baking, making craft goods, and wood working in the workshop. The project's Christian ethos seeks to address the whole person in body, mind and spirit, aiming to release each person's full potential. The character and needs of each member are respected and nurtured.  

Website: www.boazproject.co.uk              

 

Winchester Street Pastors: 

Street pastors are trained volunteers from local churches who care about the community in Winchester. They offer reassurance, safety and support  to all people working in, or enjoying, the city's night time economy on Fridays and Saturdays; thereby making the city safer at night.

https://streetpastors.org/locations/winchester/

 

Street Reach:

Street Reach is a Winchester based charity working with young people, in the city and surrounding areas, who are experiencing disadvantage. The charity supports these young people in need through weekly outreach sessions, youth club nights, drop-in projects and trips.

www.winchesterstreetreach.org

 

ShelterBox:

ShelterBox is a charity that delivers aid to families devastated by conflict or natural disaster, to give them durable shelter and the tools to rebuild communities. Their global network of supporters, staff and volunteers make it possible to deliver aid to some of the most remote communities in the world.

https://www.shelterbox.org