Stewardship in action around the Diocese
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Southampton Deanery
Swathling Parish runs a weekly ‘Thursday Together’ food bank and cafe. Here are some lovely pictures of volunteers and visitors on a typical Thursday.
Eastleigh Deanery
Oliver is a member of the Messy Church at St Francis’ Church, Valley Park. He asked his church family and his school, St Francis Primary School, to help him support Ronald McDonald House, a charity which gives families the chance to stay close to their child whilst they are in hospital in Southampton. After his family had spent some time at Ronald McDonald House, Oliver contacted the charity to ask how he could help and they explained that they get through 7,000 toilet rolls a year, and would really appreciate any donations of toilet rolls!
So Oliver started a campaign to collect loo rolls. And here they are – lots and lots of rolls! Well done!
Romsey Deanery
Volunteers are keen to help cleaning and gardening at St John’s Church, Lockerley. Boots off before entering the church of course!
At St Leonard’s Church, Sherfield English, a Wedding Dress Exhibition (organised and coordinated by churchwarden Clare Durham) was a great way to celebrate the place of the Church in the Community. Hundreds of visitors came to look at over 50 wedding dresses with links to the Church. The dresses displayed represented styles over several decades with the oldest dating back to 1894.
Pictured below are mother and daughter with the beautiful wedding dress that they both wore. Mrs Eileen Flood in 1958 and the Reverend Sue Pitkin in 1983.
Pictured below are Alice Cook (left), Caroline Tanner, Patty Gould and Linda Playle (right) with their wedding dresses outside St Leonard’s Church.
The Thorngate and Blackwater Benefice arranged Community Lunches in Lent to raise money for UNICEF. Hospitality (and lots of soup!) are such valuable gifts from people! The Benefice raised over £3,000 for UNICEF this year. Village Halls, Churches and Homes were all used.
The Parish of Sherfield English has wonderful flower arrangers and knitters. St Leonard’s Church is surely the only church where the Harvest Fruit and Veg are all knitted!
Hard at work caring for the churchyard at St Peter’s Church, East Tytherley.
Odiham Deanery
Young folk gardening joyfully for All Saints Church, Odiham!
