We are a local ecumenical partnership involving:
Logo_of_the_Church_of_England.svg
DIOCESE OF WINCHESTER
(Deanery of Eastleigh)
 620px-The_Methodist_Church_logo.svg
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 17th November is Andy Grove
Duty Warden from 18th – 24th November 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 16th November:
09.00 a.m. – 2.00 p.m.: Children’s & All Age Ministry Training Day.
Sunday 17th November:
Second Sunday before Advent
8.45 a.m.:  Said Holy Communion (Rev’d. Sue Keegan von Allmen);
10.00 a.m.: Morning Worship (Rev’d. Sue Keegan von Allmen);
6.00 p.m.: Informal Evening Worship (Rev’d. Dr. Sarah McClelland & Rev’d. Cliff McClelland).
Monday 18th November:
Tuesday 19th November:
8.00 a.m.- 8.30 a.m.: Morning Prayer (Northumbria Liturgy): Chapel (Please use Office Door entrance).
Wednesday 20th November:
09.00 a.m. – 12.00 noon:  St. Francis’ Rendezvous Community Café: Large Meeting Room; All members of the Community most welcome;
7.00 p.m. – 10.-00 p.m.: Valley Park Ladies Meeting: Large Meeting Room.
Thursday 21st November:
10.00 a.m. – 12.00 noon:  Church-based House Group; Large Meeting Room;
2.30 p.m.: Holy Communion by Extension (Phil Watts): BrendonCare Knightwood Library.
Friday 22nd  November:
12.00 noon – 2.00 p.m.: MHA Test Valley Stay at Home Scheme Social Club and Cafe: Large Meeting Room.
Saturday 23rd November:
Sunday 24th November:
Sunday next before Advent
CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY
8.45 a.m.:  Said Holy Communion (Rev’d. Dr. Sarah McClelland & Peter Rhodes);
10.00 a.m.: Parish Communion (Rev’d. Dr. Sarah McClelland & Peter Rhodes);
4.00 p.m.: Messy Church (Messy Team).

MESSY CHURCH
messy church

Craft, Activities, Afternoon Tea, Celebration.

The fun way to do church
for all the family.
Next Session
Sunday 24th November:
Theme:
“Keep your lamp burning”

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.

Glitter and Glue

glitter ad glueCreative commons acknowledged

Glitter and Glue is an hour of
craft,  messy play, stories and
songs for  the under fives
and their parents/carers.
Glitter and Glue is held monthly in term-time –
all pre-school children and their parents / carers are welcome.
Next Session:
Friday 13th December
10.00 a.m. – 11.00 a.m.
More:
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:

THE “KINGDOM” SEASON

Key Reading:

  • Isaiah 65:17-25;
  • Luke 21: 5-19.

Today our readings are the set ones for the Methodist Church and C of E. We’re in a season before Advent known as ‘Kingdom season.’ It’s a chance to think about the mystery of the Kingdom which beckons us, and yet is also among us, and it culminates in a celebration of Christ, the King, next Sunday (24th November).

For group or individual study:

Have a look at some of the party manifestos for the general election (newspapers or BBC News app ‘Election policy guide’).  Discuss the similarities and differences.  There’s no need to declare your affiliation, but it might be a great opportunity to listen with respect to some different opinions!

  • What hopes and dreams are represented in the manifestos (promises re: the environment for example)?
  • What are your hopes and dreams for the country?

Now read Isaiah, Ch. 65, vs.: 17 – 25.  This was most probably written after the Jewish people had returned from exile in Babylon.  It represents the hope that the faithful remnant of the Israelites will finally know God’s deliverance, no longer at the mercy of their enemies; that they will know true shalom peace, last tasted in any measure during the reign of Solomon (have a look at 1 Kings, Ch. 4, vs.:20 & 25).

The Israelites were waiting for a Messiah to bring about the events of this Isaiah passage, but we read it with the knowledge that it is fulfilled through Jesus, and that God’s Kingdom will come on earth in the completeness described in the passage, at the end of time, when Jesus returns.  And that we can see glimpses of it now, as we pray ‘Thy Kingdom come.’

Isaiah, Ch. 65, vs.: 17 – 25 could be thought of as a manifesto for the Kingdom of God.  How does it compare with the manifestos you discussed earlier?  Hopefully there are similarities, as surely each political party has high hopes that they might transform the country for the good – whilst also noting that God’s Kingdom represents perfection in a way we can never know in this world!

  • Are there some aspects of the Kingdom of God manifesto that you don’t see in the political manifestos?
  • Will this make a difference to how you vote, or not?

Pray for the election!

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>.