The Upper Itchen Benefice

NEWS OF PAST EVENTS
See also What's On for details of more events _________________________________

Launched 2009
Upper Itchen Voluntary Care Group:

The new care group for the Upper Itchen aims to help people in the local area with small ongoing tasks or one-off assistance eg. shopping, collecting prescriptions, transport to appointments/mobile library/lunch clubs etc, housebound visits, small garden/household help, brief respite for carers, etc. Over 30 volunteers are now signed up to help (please volunteer to join the growing team if you would like to). Anybody can just phone and ask for assistance via the Voluntary Care Group mobile number:
Tel: 07906 954566
See more details on Community pages.
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The Marriage Course

The lastest Marriage Course ran from Wednesday 16th September at Kilmeston Village Hall from 7.30pm. Please contact Alex Pease for further details and see Courses page.
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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 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 of course 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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1st Monday Coffee Mornings:

Open to everyone, held in Beauworth Village Hall. 10.30am-12 noon on the 1st Monday of each month. Transport can be arranged. Please contact Lenore Prideaux if you, or somebody in your village, would like to come along.
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NEWS OF PAST EVENTS:
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RECTORY CLEAN-UP
'ALL STARS' TEAM
GET BUSY

A happy team of pruners, loppers, weeders, moppers and polishers completed the tidy up of the Rectory in July, in preparation for the arrival of Alexandra, Chris, Theo and Oliver who moved in to their new home in August. A big thank you to Paul Raworth and Simon Scott in particular, who have co-ordinated the clean-up teams and done so much work in maintaining the Rectory garden during the interregnum. Thanks also to Bruce Newson for all his carpentry work inside the Rectory.
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During June and July Debbie Thompson ran a fascinating course looking at the life and legacy of George Bell, former Bishop of Chichester and Dean of Canterbury. George Bell took a courageous stand for Christian principles in the Second World War, worked hard for Christian unity worldwide and had a passionate vision for the Church and its place in a more just society. The study group, which meets at 9.30am for an hour each Monday morning at Margaret Curtis's house in Cheriton, will be exploring a new topic this Autumn. If you would like to come along do ring Debbie on 771348. All are very welcome.
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Thanks from the Upper Itchen Big Sleep Out team:

The big Sleepers from the Upper Itchen Benefice - Debbie Thompson, Ruth Coxon, Francesca Simms, Octavia Elton and Hannah Tice - would like to thank all who sponsored them for the Big Sleep Out in Winchester on May 15th. Our benefice team raised a fantastic £1,350 in total. It was an amazing night at Winchester Cathedral, with c.380 people 'sleeping rough' in aid of the homeless charities Winchester Churches Nightshelter and Trinity Winchester. Some slept out in the rain in the Inner Close, whilst others slept inside the Cathedral on the cold stone floor (with the snorers too!). Over £40,000 has been raised from the Big Sleep Out (to be split between both charities) - this will make a real difference to the work both charities can do. Thanks so much for all your support. See comments from sleepers, and photos of the night, at www.bigsleepout.org .
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Christian Aid Week Thanks -

Thanks to the generosity of all those who contributed, and to the invaluable collecting efforts of volunteers from all the parishes, some 250 envelopes containing a total of £1,694.76 (of which £810 53 was Gift Aided) for Christian Aid were collected within the Benefice this year. If you still have an envelope and wish to make a contribution, please send it direct to Christian Aid at the address shown on the envelope.

Growing Remembrance:

This was a memorable evening that raised nearly £2000 towards All Saints Church, Hinton Ampner, repair fund. The sun shone and over 80 people came to see the recently completed works at All Saints Church and, thanks to the generosity of the National Trust, wander the formal gardens before settling down to listen to a thought provoking talk by David Childs on the National Memorial Arboretum, Millennium Chapel and Armed Forces Memorial, created out of 150 acres of disused gravel workings, near Lichfield, in Staffordshire. Read full report here.

Shout Out - Lost Sheep The latest Shout Out service was held on 28th June, 10.30am at Kilmeston Church. Following two exciting children's services, organised with the help of Church of the Good Shepherd, Four Marks, we are held this third service with the theme of the parable of 'The Lost Sheep'. The service was fun and interactive with songs, drama (including a one off appearance from Rambo the Lambo) and plenty of cake at the end! If you would like to be involved with future services please contact Alex Hardie
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Big Benefice Easter Hunt:

Many thanks for all who came along for this happy gathering with lots of chocolate and lots of cake! Thanks too to everybody who helped, and to the National Trust for permission to use their ground, and to Mr and Mrs Flindt for permission to use their field and for moving the sheep first, and to the Alresford Chocolate Company for their great prizes. Here's a copy of the Easter Quiz if you want to have a go. And here is the version with the Easter Quiz Answers. The winner of the quiz (and winner of £55 voucher donated by Alresford Chocolate Company) was: the Tyler family. Very close second was Janey Matthews, followed closely by Becci Hart and Millie Pearce, and Cleudi Gossage. We also raised £154 to be split between the Children's Society and the Benefice funds. Thanks for all your support.
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OLDER NEWS from the BENEFICE:
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Bishop Michael visits Upper Itchen Benefice:

It was a great pleasure to welcome the Bishop of Winchester, Bishop Michael, and his wife, when he lead our Benefice Communion service for Candlemas, at Hinton Ampner church.

Blue Benefice Buckets - raised £250 in February for the DEC Gaza and Congo crises appeals. £190 was raised at the Benefice Communion service and a further £60 raised in Beauworth. Very many thanks.