Latest news from Sarah – 24th October 2020
 Sarah writes … ‘Changing Seasons
The changing season is so evident in nature, as the leaves turn and we’re treated to an amazing display of colours. We’ve even got an extra hour in bed on Sunday morning! Its the start of half term, and the start of a new Church Council year. Well, sort of, in that we’ve had a change following the annual meeting last week. Meet the new team on our Lay Leadership page on this website.
For me, the highlight of the meeting was a moment to review 2019, when people shared what their favourite St. Francis’ Church family moment had been – carols in the pub, Messy church barbecue, Brian’s
Roast dinner.
It was emotional to recall these highlights – highlights that in so many ways we took for granted – and which we all are missing. But it was encouraging too, to see that despite the difficulties, we’ve built on the foundations we laid last year. Things aren’t easy now – but we have so much to be thankful for and a God who remains faithful through it all.
And Big thanks to our outgoing Council members: John Course, Mike Flack, Liz Watts, Dunni Ajayi and Gill Hill. I’ve very much appreciated your help – we’ll miss you!
The Church Council are here to serve the church and to represent you. Did you know that Church wardens are the ‘senior representatives’ of the church family? It’s their job to maintain order and peace in the church!
Remember -you voted them in!
Don’t forget the clocks go back an hour on Saturday night.
Your church family needs you!
The church family looks best when we’re all using our gifts, doing the things we’re good at, and which we enjoy. God has given us all the gifts we need for the Church in Valley Park! Can you help us with any of the following? If so, please contact Sarah (rev@sfvp.org.uk) or a Church Council member.
Partnering in Mission
We would love to support mission organisations here and overseas, learning from their experience, and supporting them practically. We need a group of people to help and advice the Church Council on who to support and how to support them. Help us to shape the way we learn and give!
Website Contributors
Would you like to contribute to the new website? If you have lots of photos and/ or like taking them; if you like writing in ways to engage our community, if you are creative and inventive… please get in touch (rev@sfvp.org.uk)! We’d love to hear from you as we plan to move ahead with this project.
Editor to join the Chrysalis team
Chrysalis is St. Francis’ outreach magazine which is published in The Valley Park Voice ten times a year. With one of the two editors standing down we are looking for another editor to edit alternate editions with the support of the Chrysalis editorial team. The job involves a certain visual creativity to be able to lay out an attractive page with an attention to detail and an eye for spelling and grammar. Most content is provided by contributors and the editor’s job is to liaise with them and lay out the article, trim it for clarity and space as necessary but not to lose the author’s voice. Sometimes you might need to write a short filler piece. Computer literacy is a must. The software (Affinity Publisher) is provided and able to be run on PC or Mac. Training can be given. The current editorial group meet four times a year to discuss and plan content in advance so attendance at these is essential. If you want to know more speak to Sarah, Ian on 07957 656549 or Dunni on 07850 395881.
Cafe Volunteers
We’re looking at the possibility of opening a Wednesday morning cafe, strictly adhering to Government guidelines. It won’t be anything like the wonderful Rendezvous cafe! And of course it’s impossible to make it 100% Covid safe. But we would love to open our doors to those who are finding life tough in this season. The first question is whether we have enough volunteers to get it off the ground…?
Light bearers
For our Advent Service of Light. Se the notice on this service below.
Church News and What’s On
Dates for your Diary:
- Every Monday: 10.00 a.m.: Morning prayer at church, a short, traditional service.
- Sunday, November 1st (All Saints Day – also remembering All Souls): 2.00 – 5.30 p.m.: Church open with prayer stations to remember those who’ve died. Light a candle, leave a name or two to be read out at:
- Sunday, November 1st: 6.00 p.m.: Short virtual service to remember those who’ve died.
- Tuesday, November 3rd: 7.15/8.00 p.m.: Connect evening (see below).
- Sunday, November 29th: 6.00 p.m.: Virtual Advent Service of Light.
- Tuesday, December 15th: 7.15/8.00 p.m.: Connect evening (see below)
What’s On at St. Francis?
 Pray: Monday October 26th, 10.00 a.m.: Morning prayer at church – a short, traditional service. Continuing each Monday.
Remember: November 1st, 2.00 – 5.30 p.m.: Church open with prayer stations to remember those who’ve died. Light a candle, leave a name or two to be read out at:
November 1st, 6.00 p.m.: Short virtual service to remember those who’ve died.
Connect: Tuesday November 3rd, 7.15/8.00 p.m.: Connect evening. Connect with each other, Connect mid week, Connect with God!
Also on Tuesday December 15th.
 Take Time: Wednesday November 4th, 12.00 noon to 1.00 p.m. on our Zoom link: Join us for a Christian meditation – an opportunity to find peace and to hear from God.
Due to the success of the pilot in the summer, our Christian mediation is back! The meditations use the “Ignation” practice of allowing God to speak through the Bible and they’re a great way to hear God’s still small voice. Join us on alternate Wednesdays, starting in November: at 12.oo noon on the 1st Wednesday and 8.00 p.m. on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, on our usual Zoom link, for about 45 – 60minutes. They provide an opportunity for people who are less acquainted with church to experience God’s peace in an accessible way. You can find more information at www.TakeTime.org
 Light up: Advent Service of Light: Sunday November 29th. This is one of our favourite services at St. Francis’ Church and although we are not able to share the service in the building together, we have a plan to be able to share the candle light with you all. We’ll take the light to each other physically, and join in a virtual service at 6.00 p.m. We aim to light candles in the church building from the Paschal Candle in the late afternoon (around 4.00 p.m.) and then walk this light to as many homes as we possibly can. You will then be able to light your own candle and have it by your computer ready for the evening service where we can all share the light together, just as we would do in church. We need a team of volunteers who would be willing to walk the light around Chandlers Ford and Valley Park. If you are able to be part of this team or would like to have the
light delivered to your home, please get in touch with Alison by Sunday 15th November, so that routes can then be drawn up.
Fairtrade: Angela Morris has kindly offered to deliver copies of the new Traidcraft Autumn Catalogue to anyone in Valley Park and deliver orders too! Do contact her if youm would like to make an order – she would be delighted to hear from you: <angelarwmorris@gmail.com>
International Cafe: Frederick and Maryline in Strasbourg will be hosting an International Cafe! They invite us to join them and some of their church members in Strasbourg on their own Zoom link. Pop in any time on Thursdays 10.00 a.m. – 12.00 noon, for a trial for the month of September. If you’d like to join in, please email them on <frederickthescribe@gmail.com> and they’ll send you a link.
School Care Clubs: Just a reminder, especially if you’re a key holder, that these are now operating again at church during term time. Please do remember that there will be no access to the church or garden while clubs are on, especially because of Covid restrictions.
Home Groups: Please contact Sarah: rev@sfvp.org.uk if you’re interested in joining one, virtually for now – maybe just for the Fruitfulness on the Front Line course?
QR Code for NHS Test and Trace App: If you attend our 8.45 a.m. service, we will keep a note of your name for 3 weeks to comply with Track and Trace requirements.
We will also be displaying a QR code for the NHS Test and Trace App to comply with guidelines; if you have a smart phone please consider using this if attending a service.
Stories of what God is doing …
Stories of how we’ve known God with us in the past, help us to navigate an uncertain future. Stories engage us and help us to see possibilities in our own situations. I know how many have found it helpful to listen as others have shared experience – and that a number of you have let me know that you have a story to tell too! Let me know if you can encourage us in this way: rev@sfvp.org.uk .
Thanks for reading! As ever this comes with my prayers and love in Christ.
Sarah
Lead Minister, St Francis’ Church.
A Local Ecumenical Partnership of the Church of England, Methodist Church and United Reformed Church.
Pilgrim’s Close, Valley Park, Eastleigh SO53 4ST.
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