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For our weekday services please see the events section.
Our upcoming Sunday services, together with any ferial, festal or seasonal services are listed below:

SEASON of ADVENT

and the Beginning of the New Liturgical Year

Week Beginning: 16th December 2018

Third Sunday after Advent  (Gaudete Sunday) –
and O Sapientia (BCP)

8am ~ Holy Communion (BCP) ~ Exton

09.45 – Informal All-age Service: Advent Calendar and Family Carols – Droxford

10.30am ~ Matins with Carols ~ Corhampton

5.15pm Carols in the Barn, Hill House, High Street, Meonstoke.

Tuesday 18Dec18 at 7.00 pm Carols in the Square , Droxford

Other December Services

Rest in Peace

It is great sadness that I have to report the death of one of our dear organists, Dr Alan Hibbert, on Friday, 14^th December. Alan played the organ in many churches from his boyhood and so the worship of thousands of people over the years has been lifted heavenwards by his huge contribution to church music. Alan and Jackie came to Droxford with their children over 40 years ago and quickly became active members of the community. In his professional life, Alan was an academic and a world authority in his sphere. We shall miss Alan for his cheery smile, his wit, his modesty and for a life guided by firm principles. As we pray for the repose of his soul, we also pray that God will hold the whole of Alan’s family and his many friends and former colleagues in his care.

Dear friend, rest in God’s peace.

It is with equal sadness that I report that the Rev’d Canon David Henley died on Monday, December 10^th at 1.20 pm at home with Liz his first wife after fighting against his cancer with such courage for so long. David had seen all his family including the grand children over the weekend and was deeply thankful to be home.  He was so grateful for all the cards and messages of goodwill that he received. The support and love of so many and his deep faith sustained him to the last.

The funeral arrangements are that his funeral service will take place in Broad Chalke parish church at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday December 20^th, followed a few days later by a private cremation service.

There will a Service of Thanksgiving on February 16^th at 2.30 pm in Droxford Church. Please pray for David’s family, not least his grandchildren, and his many friends and former parishioners.

Dear friend, rest in God’s peace.

Congratulations

to all the couples married in the Bridge Benefice Churches in 2018
and to all those engaged to be married in 2019.

GDPR arrived on 25th May

Please click here for our PRIVACY NOTICE
Please click here for our CONSENT FORM
Please click here for our guidance for PCCs

Well Done and Thank You

Thank you to all those who contributed to, helped organise or attended our recent events:

1. For the CHRISTMAS TREES and the 2018 Big Christmas Thank You to everyone who helps to support our Communities and Churches! …And not least, Nell in the Corhampton and Meonstoke Post Office and Village Stores for sourcing the trees and to Becky Evans for organising the event and to all those who have decorated trees. For all those who organised, ran or supported the Exton Pre-Christmas Sale on 24th November 2018
2. For all the help at the wonderfully lively ‘Messy Church’, especially to Mother Samantha and all the volunteers.
3. To all those who supported Benefice Advent Service of Carols and Lessons and for the Mulled Wine and Mince Pies.
4. For all the toys brought to the Benefice Toy Service & St Andrew’s patronal festival.
5. For the beautiful decoration of the churches for Remembrance and huge participation in the services.
6. To Mother Samantha and all those who support the ‘Light Party’ on 3rd November.
7. All those who help clear the Churchyard in Droxford on 3rd November
8. All those braving the elements on Saturday 13th October for the Meonstoke & Corhampton Churchyard Clear-ups and for walking in witness on the St Wilfrid Trail to East Meon
9. For all those who prepared our churches for Harvest so beautifully.
10. For all those who are cleaning the churches, arranging flowers or maintaining the churchyards.

From the Rector

Advent

Advent is a season of expectation and preparation, as the Church prepares to celebrate the coming (adventus) of Christ in his incarnation, and also looks ahead to his final advent as judge at the end of time. The readings and liturgies not only direct us towards Christ’s birth, they also challenge the modern reluctance to confront the theme of divine judgement.

The Four Last Things – Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell – have been traditional themes for Advent meditation. The characteristic note of Advent is therefore expectation, rather than penitence, although the character of the season is easily coloured by an analogy with Lent. The anticipation of Christmas under commercial pressure has also made it harder to sustain the appropriate sense of alert watchfulness, but the fundamental Advent prayer remains ‘Maranatha’ – ‘Our Lord, come’ (1 Corinthians 16.22). Church decorations are simple and spare, and purple is the traditional liturgical colour.

We celebrate the Feast of St Ambrose (Bishop of Milan, Teacher of the Faith, b.397) on 7th December. St Ambrose’s ‘Hymn for the time of Advent’ shows how he could combine doctrine and song to produce images of theological beauty suitable for this season and for other times.  Ambrose was a prolific hymn writer and became known as the founder of liturgical hymnody in the Western Church.

Redeemer of the nations come,
That we may taste the virgin’s fruit
And every age in wonder gaze
On such a birth, worthy of God!
No earthly father’s seed played here,
But mystic Breath touched holy virgin womb:
The Word of God took human form
And human flesh blossomed divine.
Hymn for the Time of Advent

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Meon Valley Food Bank – PLEASE HELP

Thank you so much for all your kind donations.

Follow MVFB on twitter @MeonValleyFB or at www.meonvalleyfoodbank.co.uk.

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Hackney and Bishop’s Waltham Deaneries Link

For many years the Deanery has collected food and clothes for a variety of church needs in Hackney to be taken up in December. Earlier this year our friends in Hackney told us that they now have built up their local contacts including food collections in their local Waitrose and several Schools so that they no longer need distance support. They have asked us to convey their warm thanks for our help over the years. Because of this there will be no collection of food and clothes for Hackney this Autumn. We shall still be grateful for any gifts of money which can be made payable to Bishop’s Waltham Deanery and will support our seven partners including the Winter Night Shelter.