We are a local ecumenical partnership involving:
Logo_of_the_Church_of_England.svg
DIOCESE OF WINCHESTER
(Deanery of Eastleigh)
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SOUTHAMPTON DISTRICT
(Winchester, Eastleigh and Romsey Circuit)
 A4WWESSEX SYNOD
(South West Hants Group)
Safeguarding those at risk:
To find our policies on Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults please click here;
Our primary Safeguarding contact:  safeguarding@stfrancis-valleypark.org.uk
Our Minister, Rev’d. Dr. Sarah McClelland reflected on her first impressions of our Church at our Annual Church Meeting on Sunday 7th April 2019.  Click on this link to hear her comments:
 
Happening this week at
St. Francis’.
Our “Duty Churchwarden” until 8th December is
Andrew Grove;
Duty Warden from 9th – 15th December is
Geoff Roberts
Note:
St Francis’ School Breakfast Club (7.30 a.m. – 9.00 a.m.) &
St Francis’ After School Club (3.15 p.m. – 6.00 p.m.)
held each weekday in School Terms.
Saturday 7th December:
Sunday 8th December:
Second Sunday of Advent
8.45 a.m.:  Said Holy Communion (Rev’ds. Dr. Sarah Cliff McClelland);
10.00 a.m.: Parish Communion (Rev’ds. Dr. Sarah and Cliff McClelland).
Monday 9th December:
Tuesday 10th December:
8.00 a.m.- 8.30 a.m.: Morning Prayer (Northumbria Liturgy): Chapel (Please use Office Door entrance).
Wednesday 11th December:
09.00 a.m. – 12.00 noon:  St. Francis’ Rendezvous Community Café: Large Meeting Room; All members of the Community most welcome;
8.00 p.m.: Alpha Course Planning Meeting: Large Meeting Room.
Thursday 12th December:
Friday 13th December:
12.00 noon – 2.00 p.m.: MHA Test Valley Stay at Home Scheme Social Club and Café: Large Meeting Room.
Saturday 14th December:
08.30 a.m. – 09.45 a.m.: Men’s Breakfast: Large Meeting Room; All menfolk most welcome.
Sunday 15th December:
Third Sunday of Advent
8.45 a.m.:  Said Holy Communion (Rev’d. Dr. Sarah McClelland and Chris Hill);
10.00 a.m.: Morning Worship (Rev’d. Dr. Sarah McClelland and Chris Hill);
6.00 p.m.: Festival Service of Lessons and Carols for Christmas (Rev’d. Dr. Sarah McClelland).

Christmas at St. Francis’

You are most welcome to join us at any of these Services and Events.

 

MESSY CHURCH
messy church

Craft, Activities, Christmas Refreshments, Celebration.

The fun way to do church
for all the family.
Next Session
CHRISTMAS EVE
Tuesday 24th December:
Theme:
“Christmas”

Click this link to find out More:

 ST FRANCIS’ RENDEZVOUS
COMMUNITY CAFE

Café Open every Wednesday
9.00 a.m. – 12.00 noon.
All members of the Community of all ages most welcome.
Creche with toys and games for children.
Community Information Point for Local Community, Health
and Benefits Information.

More:

MEN’S BREAKFAST

Join us for a
“Full English”,
fellowship and
Thought for the Day

Next Breakfast:
Saturday 14th December
8.15 a.m. for 8.30 a.m.
INFORMATION:

St Francis’ Church in action: 
To find out more about what else we are doing through the coming year please look at our Parish Calendar and Weekly Notices pages.
What were we doing in 2018?  
To read about the Ministry, Mission and Witness we undertook, and how we used the Financial Resources gifted to us in 2018, please click on St Francis Annual Report 2018 – v1.0 Final  
Click Annual Review – 2018 – web version to see a pictorial review of our Church’s Ministry and collective life during 2018.
What are our strategic plans for Ministry and Mission in the coming months?  
To read our latest Parish Mission Action Plan (pMAP) please click on:
St Francis Valley Park – pMap 2017 – 2020 – v 2-2,
together with the latest revision of our aims and objectives:  St Francis Valley Park – pMap 2017 – 2020 – v 2-2-1 – Action Plan Revision November 2017
and Lay Leadership Matrix of which Church Council member leads on which topics:
St Francis Valley Park – pMap 2017 – 2020 – v 2-2-1 – Leadership Matrix – Revised Nov 2017.
Data Protection: 
To read our Data Protection Policies please click here.  Please let the Parish Office know if you no longer wish us to hold your information.
To contact us:
For our contact details please click here.   
Some of our Home Groups develop their studies around the central theme of our Sunday worship and study.
Our teaching theme this week focusses on:

ADVENT TWO – THE PROPHETS

Key Reading:

  • Isaiah, Ch. 11, vs.: 1 – 10;
  • Matthew, Ch. 3, vs.: 1 – 12.

The prophets are celebrated as part of Advent, helping us to wait for Jesus and reflect on the real meaning of Christmas. What can we take from them?

Chosen:           The prophets as intermediaries between humanity and God, were chosen by God for a purpose, for a message, for a presence. To speak deeper into a situation than humankind ever could. We too choose to follow Jesus as his presence here on Earth, his hands and feet for a world in need. We are quickened by the Spirit to go beyond ourselves.

Challenged:    The message they give raises issues of power, of Godliness and purity. They speak against the status quo and encourage a re-think. As we turn to Christ, we become followers of a counter cultural message of hope and service that goes against our ego driven humanity. Every aspect of our lives is open to his scrutiny, to be open to a re-think.

Change:          Prophets shine the light on how things could and should be before God, as God requires. We too are changed in the power of the Holy Spirit to bear fruit that is different and attractive. Growing in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

  • What in the scripture challenges you to change?
  • How might we do life differently?
  • How might we show others another way to be?
  • How might we celebrate Christmas this year in a way that shows our faith, the challenge we rise to, and the changes we make?

Maybe even speaking and living as a Prophet today!

Pray that the power of the Holy Spirit may give you strength and authority for such a challenge.

(20 sleeps to go!)

Sarah.

Please click here to go to all of our 2019 Lenten Course Study Material on Prayer and for a selection of recent sermons and homilies on current study topics. 
Please note:
The Minister’s day off is Friday.  For emergencies please contact the Duty Warden on that day.
General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR):  The new data protection regulations, relating to the holding, management and use of personal data by organisations came into force on Friday 25th May 2018.  St Francis’ Church takes its responsibilities under GDPR very seriously.  You can read our Data Privacy Notice here.  If you are a member of St Francis’ Church, or wish to remain in close contact with us, you may give us consent to hold, manage and use your personal data by downloading a Full Data Consent Form 2018 – 27-04-18 and completing and e-mailing it to us at <admin@sfvp.org.uk>.