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DIOCESE OF WINCHESTER
(Deanery of Eastleigh)

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SOUTHAMPTON DISTRICT
(Winchester, Eastleigh and Romsey Circuit)
 A4WWESSEX SYNOD
(South West Hants Group)
IMPORTANT NOTICE – CORONAVIRUS:  A Message from our Minister, Rev’d. Dr. Sarah McClelland

Due to Government restrictions on movement and interpersonal contact, and a Statement from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York all Church Services at
St Francis’, Valley Park, together with all Church-related Home and House Groups and all Church activities including the St Francis’ Rendezvous Café and our Alpha Course are cancelled until further notice.

For those requiring further information on the situation please email or phone the Church Office (Staffed between 09.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m.: Monday – Thursday)  – Click here for contact details.

Latest news from Sarah – 4th July 2020

Sarah writes: This week we passed a significant marker: 100 days since lockdown began.

At the start I certainly didn’t realise the implications for the long haul – of a new normal rather than a quick return to how things were.  And we’re just beginning to see the devastating economic consequences, even as we come to terms with the high number of deaths in Britain compared with other countries, and the huge impact on the education of our young people.

Someone this week suggested that the effect on church had been equally negative.  I was able to reflect that actually it’s the opposite: that in our church community there have been opportunities to support one another and our community, to share stories and to acknowledge together that God is our solid rock in this stormy sea.  My prayer is that, as a church, we can continue to offer hope in the midst of our wider community too, as this storm goes on.  One small way we plan to do that is to offer a ‘Messy Church goody bag’ to any families in Valley Park who’d like one over the holidays.

Summer holiday goody bags

Fiona Grove is coordinating and Debbie and Junior church have kindly shared their resources.  We’re offering goody bags to any children in Valley Park Parish who would like to participate (we’ve invited St St Francis school).  A ‘goody bag’ will be delivered to participants’ doors for 5 weeks of the summer holidays, starting the week of July 27th (you can opt out of a week if away!).  It’ll contain a link to a Bible story on line, crafts and activities,  and maybe a goody or two every now and then! So:

  1. Could you help put a few bags together and/ or help deliver them?  Please email Fiona Grove on pastoral@stfrancis-valleypark.org.uk.
  2. Do you know someone who isn’t in junior church, but is in the parish of Valley Park, who would appreciate this – a neighbour or relative, maybe?
    Invite them, then email the office on admin@stfrancis-valleypark.org.uk.

Marker buoys on the journey:

To continue our analogy of navigating this journey, here are some updated markers:

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

Where is God leading us?

The Ministry team and Council are having conversations about possible long-term changes, taking new opportunities.  Any changes will flow from prayerfully considering questions like, where does God appear to be at work already?  Do plans tie in with the mission action plan we made together last year?  Will it give us life or exhaust us?!  Thank you to all of you who contributed to this process through the survey – please continue to pray as we make this journey.

Using our building

At Church Council this week we will look at plans to hold communion services in church in a few weeks, with appropriate safety measures and limited numbers. It’s not the joyful celebration we’d love to all share in together, but it will be poignant to share that tangible reminder of what Jesus has done for us, to sustain us as we continue to journey together.

If you would like to use a church building for private prayer, St Boniface is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10am – 1pm and Sundays 2-4pm. They would be happy to welcome anyone from St Francis.

Junior Church News

Debbie Reed our Junior Church lead, along with Sue Bowles who heads up creche, have some lovely plans for the next few months.  A ‘Jackanory Bedtime story’ has come out for this week and will continue each week,  with a member of the Junior Church team reading a Bible story, available through an on-line link to use at your family’s convenience, along with a pack of craft resources to fit the story – delivered to your door, if you’re a junior church member!

 

Teams

At our council meeting in March we agreed to set up extra teams in some areas, working with Council and answerable to them, to help us share gifts and skills with one another. One team is the Benefice Ministry Team (BMT) made up of those in some way recognised by the Diocese or partner denominations to minister – those who are ordained, training to minister, with a Bishop’s Commission for Mission, or who head up an area of ministry. We’re currently discussing plans for the church’s ministry and mission.  Other teams, some yet to be formed or formalised, are finance, buildings, hospitality and mission giving. We had a team to look at the logo and one is currently looking at a new website. There are opportunities for those with interest or skills to contribute –  we’ll let you know as and when we’re recruiting – or contact Sarah to find out more!

Social Media

Social Media has become a major way in which we connect with each other and our surrounding community at this time and that’s why we moved quickly to release our new logo, so that we are able to present a clear identity and image.  Here are details of all our sites: do ‘like’ them!  We’re not entirely there yet so thanks for your patience!  But a few more twitter likes would necessitate more posts! 😉

Facebook: @stfrancisvp;    Twitter: @FrancisValley;    Instagram: stfrancischurchvalleypark;   Youtube: St Francis Church Valley Park

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.
Safeguarding those at risk:
To find our policies on Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults, and with regard to Domestic Abuse and Violence please click here;
Our primary Safeguarding contact:  safeguarding@stfrancis-valleypark.org.uk
Happening this week at
St. Francis’.
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 4th July:
12.00 noon:  The Lord’s Prayer.
Sunday 5th July:
Fourth Sunday after Trinity
10.00 a.m.:  On-line Service:  see notes on this page to join in.
Monday 6th July:
12.00 noon:  The Lord’s Prayer
Tuesday 7th July:
8.00 a.m.:  On-line shared Prayer for our Church and Community:  Join on the usual Zoom link.
12.00 noon:  The Lord’s Prayer.
Wednesday 8th July:
10.00 a.m. – 12.00 noon:  Virtual Rendezvous Café:  use Service joining instructions on this page to join in remotely;
12.00 noon:  The Lord’s Prayer;
7.00 p.m.: On-line Evening Prayer -with opportunity for shared prayer for our Church and Community: see notes on this page to join in;
8.00 p.m.: Church Council Meeting via Zoom:  use the normal Service link.
Thursday: 9th July:
12.00 noon:  The Lord’s Prayer.
Friday 10th July:
12.00 noon:  The Lord’s Prayer.
Saturday 11th July:
12.00 noon:  The Lord’s Prayer.
Sunday 12th July:
Fifth Sunday after Trinity
10.00 a.m.:  On-line Service:  see notes on this page to join in.

“Virtual” Church:

To access our on-line services and other streamed activities via “Zoom”, use the detailed joining instructions on this webpage or else here’s a super quick link that takes you to all of
our services and events:  www.bit.ly/SFCzoom

Worship this week:

Sunday 5th July, 10.00 a.m. – Join us for our service on the usual Zoom link (details attached) as we continue our series on Psalms.

(From later on Sunday, scroll down to find a link to the recording, if you missed the live stream!) 

Daily, 12.00 noon: Let’s continue to pray the Lord’s Prayer together at midday each day.

Tuesdays weekly through June, 8.00 a.m. – 8.30 a.m.:  Join us to pray as we shape how church will look over coming months …

Wednesday 1st July, 7.00 p.m. – Evening prayer: 

 

Social Events

Watch out for news of new Diary for some Church Social Events with a difference –
they are all on-line!

IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO HELP YOU AT THIS TIME?
Please get in touch!

E-mail: rev@sfvp.org.uk, or admin@sfvp.org.uk, or make use of our Listening Line – Thank you, pastoral and welcoming team, who have agreed to provide a listening ear to anyone who could do with it! Just leave a message on the church answer phone (02380 271152) with your details.

  

Worship at

Chandlers Ford

Each Sunday our local Lockdown FM Chandler’s Ford radio station is broadcasting an Act of Worship from one of the Churches in Chandler’s Ford. For details of these and other Lockdown FM broadcasts click on https://www.lockdownfm.com

They are planning to broadcast our live services on July 12th.  

Thought for the Day…

AT 10.oo a.m. on Lockdown FM each day (except Sundays), a member of St. Francis is sharing a thought for the day – why not listen in?

 

Pray Together

In this time of change and planning, let’s pray together and ask God to guide – join me on the usual Zoom Link 8.00 a.m. – 8.30 a.m.  on Tuesdays in June.

Virtual Church: How are you doing?

Over the past few weeks I’ve sent out some suggestions for resources, in particular, the prayer app Lectio 365 and the Bible in One Year app.  It’s been great to hear how people are enjoying those resources at home.  In addition, people have been enjoying house groups and taking the opportunity to pray and study together.  If you’re not in a house group but would value the opportunity, please contact Chris Hill – chris@plantain.org.uk.

It’s important to recognise that this situation we’re in is hard for everybody – in all sorts of different ways.  As a church family we’re called to care for each other – so let’s take opportunities to share difficulties as well as joys in our buddy groups and house groups, and not to just put on a brave face!  Don’t forget that we have a ‘listening line’ available too – just leave your name and number on the office answerphone (02380271152) and the pastoral team will return your call.

 


Answers to prayer and reasons to be thankful!

It’s great to share them and encourage each other – email Sarah with them today!

 

Church News:

Virtual Café:  We’re making it easier to chat!  Join us sometime between 10.30 a.m. and 12.00 noon on a Wednesday, usual Zoom link, and we’ll use breakout rooms and swap them round. Hope to see you there.

Buddy Groups:  If you’d like to be in one and you aren’t, or any other issues – please email Fiona Grove our pastoral head –
pastoral@stfrancis-valleypark.org.uk

Prayer requests:  Please let us know if we can pray for you: please email Fiona as above.

Prayer points:  We included some on our notice sheet and they’re now added on the Prayer page of this website.

Basics Bank:  St Francis Church will be running Eastleigh Basics Bank on Wednesdays.  Many thanks to David Gurr for continual encouragement, Jan Moring for all she’s doing, to Katie Rhodes for heading up the team and to all of you who have volunteered.  To quote Katie: ‘it’s a precious thing to be able to show our community Christ-like compassion!’

Socials:  See this webpage for planned social activities.

PRACTICAL THINGS!

Do you need a mobility scooter?

We’ve received the following very kind offer:
‘We have a motability scooter, one careful owner, in good condition which we are looking to hand onto a good home.
We were wondering if you have any parishioners who may benefit from it.  We don’t want anything for it just that it’ll go to a home where it’s needed and too make a difference.  All we ask is that it’s collected.  The address is in Valley Park. Please advise if you have digestive who would benefit and we can discuss logistics.’ 

Please email Heather in the office: admin@sfvp.org.uk if you’re interested.

 

St Francis’ Church goes On-line:

Watch or listen to our services every Sunday at 10.00 a.m. – with other days to be announced. 

The joining instructions are here: SFC Remote Services – detailed instructions for congregation v3  Or click on this link: www.bit.ly/SFCzoom

After each service we’ll put a link to the recording here on our website (see below).

Links to recordings of our recent On-line live-streamed Services:

Click on the links below:

NB:   For each video file, watching “Full Screen” is better and removes the Chat column – click icon in bottom right-hand corner of screen:-

Sunday 5th July – Fourth Sunday after Trinity: 10.00 a.m.:

Video and Sound – https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/yZdpAuz5_VlLUKfP8U6FVZAdHYv5eaa8gyId-_Jczhrmid4EOAbJNnW09ROf3wPG?startTime=1593939563000

Sunday 28th June – Third Sunday after Trinity: 10.00 a.m.:

Video and Sound – https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/6JAyD6Pu1GlIH6PcuWWAV6QQRI3oT6a823UW-_cJzkkdh-ymK9IsiNXSkT0nwGf0?startTime=1593334805000

Sunday 21st  June – Second Sunday after Trinity:     No Recording.

Sunday 14th June – First Sunday after Trinity: 10.00 a.m.:

Video and Sound –  https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/tJ0od7yqqGg3H4GSuASDB_d_W9XuKausgHIa-fBezkewBnZXZAGiN7AbNuv2SU7lev5oOYdrMBkStaVM.

Some of our Home Groups develop their studies around the central theme of our Sunday worship and study.


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.

Evening Study of the Book of Exodus:

During Epiphany and Lent 2020, our informal worship on 1st and 3rd Sunday evenings (@ 6.00 p.m.) will focus on a study of the Book of Exodus.  To gain an overview of this important book of the Old Testament, in which God renews His Covenant with the Israelites,  click on these links to watch two short videos:

Exodus Part 1:  Chapters 1 – 18:  The Israelites, who have settled in Egypt become enslaved and under Moses, and with God’s help, eventually flee from slavery in Egypt:

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/exodus-1-18/

Exodus Part 2:  Chapters 19 – 40:  God re-establishes the Covenant He had made with Abraham, gives the Israelites a framework for living in harmony with God and each other, and commits to dwell among them in the Ark of the Covenant.

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/exodus-19-40/

To view Sarah’s reflections for Holy Week please click here.
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.
Find us on Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/stfrancisvp
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.   

 
Please note:

The Minister’s day off is Friday.  For emergencies please contact a Church 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>.