The Upper Itchen Benefice

Upper Itchen Community Lunch
- September -

Our latest July Upper Itchen Community lunch open to anybody was another great success. Huge thanks go to Jo Tyler for hosting the lunch. 36 people came along and had a wonderful lunch and a chance to chat to people they hadn't met or don't often see or perhaps see all the time but not over such a great lunch! We also made over £100 for the Voluntary Care Group. Very many thanks to Jo and children, and the other great cooks Jane Jarman and Julia Morgan. If guess-work is correct, ages ranged from under 1 years to nearly 90. Don't miss the next community lunch - everybody's very welcome so do come along and give it a try:
Thursday 9th September,
North End Farmhouse, Cheriton
(please contact Lizzie Ayling (771741) to book a place for this Sept lunch). Transport is provided by the VCG for those who would like - just contact Sarah (771661). please spread the word and invite others . Optional £3 contribution on the day towards lunch (any profits go to the Voluntary Care Group funds).
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Michaelmas Food & Plant Fair

Saturday 25th September 10-12.30
Cheriton Recreation Ground
Featuring a wide selection of local produce. Come and enjoy this new Cheriton venture in aid of St Michael's Church, Cheriton. More details here. _________________________________

Bishop Michael Meetings/Talks

'Seek first the Kingdom of God' - Our Church in the Diocese and in the Nation

A series of meetings will take place in the autumn at which Bishop Michael will speak about our Church, in the Diocese and in the nation, in these next years.
See further details here.
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HARVEST DONATIONS SOUGHT
For Winchester Churches Nightshelter

Please see full details here

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JIGSAW
An exciting new After-School Club
for KS1 & KS2

JIGSAW - Games, bible stories, art & craft, refreshments, songs and lots of fun. This after-school club for KS1 and KS2, run by the churches of the Upper Itchen Benefice, will meet on Wednesdays 3.45-4.45pm in Cheriton Primary School (term-time only). All local children welcome. For more details please contact Revd Alexandra (771226) or Alex Hardie (771354).
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Talks, Courses & Lectures

See further details on Courses & Talks page
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OTHER ONGOING ITEMS OF NEWS:
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Dates for your Diaries
Forthcoming events in the Benefice
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What's On Upper Itchen 2010:
We try to include details of as many events as possible on this website's What's On online listing - including events organised by village groups, clubs, churches, charity fundraisers, concerts, exhibitions, etc. Please help make this a comprehensive guide by emailing details of your events to Sarah. Many thanks.

Big Benefice Easter Egg Hunt

Sunday 11th April
Thanks for coming along everybody - great to see so many people, and thanks to Mr and Mrs Cooper for letting us run across their perfect egg hunt fields, and to Jane Jarman and Jo Tyler for the coffees, and all the great cake bakers. There was too much good chatting for the Easter quiz this year, so it's being saved for next year!
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Intercessions Workshop
Saturday 23rd January 2010

Dave and Julia Foster came to the Benefice to run an Intercessions Worship for us in January. Over 20 people attended from across the Benefice, and there was lots of lively hubbub and good conversation in Kilmeston village hall. Dave and Julia offered an informal and fun morning, taking the fear out of preparing prayers on behalf of everyone in church as well as providing ideas to deepen private prayer life. Everyone was extremely grateful to Dave and Julia for leading such an insightful morning.
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Big Benefice Advent Carol Service
Advent Sunday 29th November

The season of preparation for Christmas started with a moving, candle-lit Advent Carol Service of Light led by Alexandra, at All Saints, Hinton Ampner. Approximately 140 people packed the church for a memorable service and many gathered afterwards in Hinton Ampner tea-rooms for mulled wine and mince pies. Many thanks to the wonderful team of musicians (Brenda Sims, Sarah Noble, Sarah McWhirter, and Pamela Smith), to Bruce and Chris who led the prayers, to the readers from each Parish, to the 12 benefice mince pie bakers, to the Kingsfords and Bishops for the mulled wine, to Julia for all the decorations, to the very wet parking stewards, and to the National Trust for kindly allowing us to use their tea-rooms.
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Benefice Pilgrimage to Wells
Saturday 7th November a group from the Benefice, led by Angus Macpherson, had a wonderful trip to Wells Cathedral.

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A Great Big Benefice Harvest
Supper & Barn Dance


See More Photos HERE

Saturday 17th October,
Over 100 people from all 6 parishes joined the big benefice harvest supper in the wonderful Middle Farm Barn in Cheriton (by kind permission of Mark & Joanna Cheyney). The cold night became considerably warmer once the dancing began - with Squeeze & Wheeze (the band) bringing all ages to the floor. Fast dosey does by some and a bit of bumping by others! Approximately £700 was raised for the Benefice and Cheriton church funds, and £200 for Christian Aid's Emergency Appeal for East Asia. Most of all, a great time together was had by all. Very many thanks to all those who helped setup, decorate, cook, and clear up. The food and decoration was fantastic.Special thanks to organiser Ruth Allen, and to Alexandra for leading the night.
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OLDER NEWS from the BENEFICE:
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See News from the Past here

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