Upper Itchen Benefice
Visiting St James's Church
St James’s Church is normally open each morning and afternoon. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to sign the visitors’ book on the table by the door. A bat-board describing the Church and its history will be found on that table. On the noticeboard in the porch visitors will find more useful information, including details of forthcoming services and the names and contact details of the Churchwardens, who are happy to be contacted by visitors.
Services, Worship & other Activities
Two traditional Holy Communion services are held each month – one at 8.30am on the second Sunday of the month and the other (with hymns) at 9.30am on the third Sunday. In months when there is a fifth Sunday, there is normally a less traditional service at 11am for those of all ages. Plough Sunday, Rogationtide and Harvest are celebrated on a fifth Sunday when appropriate or as part of a Holy Communion Service. A village Thanksgiving service and a service celebrating Baptism are held on an appropriate fifth Sunday. A Christmas Carol Service (at which the children give a short Nativity Play) takes place on the last Sunday before Christmas. On Easter and Christmas Days Holy Communion is celebrated at 9.45am and 7.30am respectively.
Refreshments or a barbecue are provided in or outside the Village Hall after all fifth Sunday services and the Carol Service and the Easter Day service is followed by breakfast in the Hall. The Parochial Church Council organises a Lent Lunch in aid of a charity each year and regular monthly coffee mornings in the Village Hall, to all of which visitors are very welcome. Members of the Parish Prayer Chain meet every two months or so.