The Blessing
The LORD bless you,
and keep you,
the LORD make his face to shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace.
Numbers 6: 24-26
You may have seen
bringing together worship leaders from more 65 different churches and networks in the UK, to sing the UK Blessing. The group, organised by worship leader Tim Hughes, represents a number of churches who have collectively, supplied over 400,000 meals to the most vulnerable and isolated in the UK since COVID-19 lockdown began. This alongside phone calls to the isolated, pharmacy delivery drops and hot meals to the NHS frontline staff.
We pray this song is a blessing to you and your household, wherever you are in the world, as you watch and listen.
There is also a children's version, which can be accessed
Benefice Baptism Team
Would you be interested in becoming part of the Baptism Team? This would involve:
- visting families preparing for Baptism
- making them feel welcome in our churches
- keeping in touch with them after the service
- inviting them to other services
- generally enouraging them to become part of parish life
If anyone is interested please either contact Jax on revdjax@downsbenefice.org.uk or the office on office@downsbenefice.org.uk or 01962 880 845
Would you like to ring Church Bells?
Both Crawley (5 bells) and Sparsholt (6 bells) need more ringers - if you would like to give it a try come along to Sparsholt on a Mondy at 7.30pm, or contact Jenny Watson on 01962 808167; or Crawley on a Tuesday at 7.30pm or contact Amanda Bayford on 01962 776861.
Karis Kids
As many of you are aware, the Downs Benefice helps support nine families in the slum area of Okuvu, Kampala, through Karis Kids. These families have all taken in children of relatives who have succumbed to AIDS, despite their own poverty and need. Karis Kids helps with financial support for schooling, medical care and basic clothing, bedding and food supplements, as well as providing onging support of the families through the local church. Each of the Ugandan families is linked with a family or individual here in the UK, although the financial support for that family may come from several donors, grouped together.
Unfortnately we have lost a few of our donors recently and so I am asking members of our churches to pray about taking on a commitment to give on a monthly basis. It can be as much or as little (even £5) as you could afford. It costs £62/month to provide the ongoing support for each family, which is so gratefully received, and means that these children can attend and complete primary school education. We do have sufficient link families who write to the Ugandan families so there is no commitment beyond a regular donation and, hopefully, a commitment to pray for that family. You would be kept informed of the family's progress and other news of Karis Kids.
If you feel you might be able to help, or would like to know more, then please contact Carol Ward - carol.ward@daleclose.co.uk.
Benefice Prayer List
The list is used not only by those who meet on Tuesday afternoons to pray for people in need or prayer in our Benefice, but also by many in their own private prayer times. The monthly prayer list is available on our Prayers page or electronically. If you would like to receive a copy electronically, then please contact Carol Ward - carol.ward@daleclose.co.uk.
St Catherine's, Littleton, car-ferry system
St Catherine's currently provide a car-ferry system to enable Sunrise residents and our regular congregation (who temporarily or permanently cannot drive) to attend Sunday Services. This is much appreciated by the users. The numbers of people using the service has grown and we need a few more volunteers to make their car available. If you feel able to offer help, can you please let one of the church wardens know? Dates are pre-agreed with each driver and the aim is to try and ensure that drivers do not exceed two/three Sundays a quarter (depends, of course, on numbers of volunteers).
Please do volunteer if you can. It is such a vital contribution to the wellbeing of parishioners.
Winchester Street Pastors
As pubs and restaurants are now open again, our teams are once again out there on Friday and Saturday evenings to OFFER REASSURANCE, SAFETY AND SUPPORT, BY CARING, LISTENING AND HELPING.
If you would be interested in becoming
a Street Pastor, please click here
Ecclesiastical Home Insurance
To celebrate our 130th assiversary, we are offering to donate £130 to your church when a new home insurance policy is taken out. We know the difference donations can make to churches, helping to fund anything from repairs and day to day running costs of the church, to exciting new projects and equipment.
To benefit, all you have to do is quote 'Trust130' when you take out a new home insurance policy with us before 31st December 2018, and we will arrange the rest. Call us on 0800 7830130 to find out more, get the full terms and conditions and get a quote.
Specialist Respite Care
Could you support a family who has a child with disabilities? Please see the link Specialist_Respite_Care
Winchester Street Reach
Many of us will have learnt about this detached youthwork project during our Lent series earlier this year. A 'Friends of Street Reach' membership is being put together where one can make a regular donation and in return receive newsletters, regular updates and more.
If interested, please contact Ben Martin, Project Manager, Street Reach: winch.youth.pm@gmail.com
Bible Study Materials
Over the years the Littleton Mid-week House Group has used a variety of study guides to aid our discussions, and has built up quite a collection of surplus copies. We feel that these would be of benefit to other house groups, or individuals wishing to study particular Bible books or topics, and so have put them in the tall cupboard at the back of the Littleton Church Room. Pleae help yourself to any that you would like - the room is normally accessible during Benefice Office opening hours (subject to bookings).
Sparsholt 100 Club
The Sparsholt 100 Club is a lottery, licensed by Winchester City Council and organised through Sparsholt Parochial Church Council and The Friends of St. Stephen's Church Sparsholt, for residents in and local to Sparsholt. There is a monthly subscription of £10 and a prize draw four times a year with a first prize of £100 and three further prizes of £50. Winners will be contacted personally, and names posted in the village shop.
By joining you will help to raise much needed funds in a very good cause which is to keep the church open and well maintained. Membership is by invitation and is limited to 100 members. A membership application form can be obtained from the Sparsholt village shop or from the membership secretary who is Ian Hay at Victoria Cottage, Dean Lane, Sparsholt, Tel. 01962 776 468.