February 2022

At St Leonard’s we had a very enjoyable and well attended Christmas

season. The church was festooned in the colours of Christmas but now it is

all packed carefully away. The decorations never seem to squeeze back in

behind the organ quite as they should, but now baby Jesus, wrapped in his swaddling clothes, or “onesie” in modern parlance, can relax all year with

the woolly nativity characters watching over him.

We welcomed Epiphany in January and as the clock light shines out in these dark evenings, it is certainly a star to behold for all the wise men and

women looking up – you know who you are! I discovered this year, as Clare

and I are kept on our toes writing some of the services, that it is never

mentioned in the bible how many wise men there were, just that as there

were three gifts presented to Jesus, there must be three Kings. Facts and figures eh!

In February we have a regular pattern of services with Communion on the first Sunday, and the Family Service on the third Sunday with our theme of

“Saints”, and no, probably not football themed I am afraid. We are also bringing back the coffee morning on the first Saturday of each month, 5th

February, from 10.30am – 12 noon, and it will be a great opportunity for people from the community to meet over a coffee and a cake. Do join us!

As you will know we are in “Vacancy” (without a Rector), and although the

informal consultation has finished, we now enter the formal consultation.

The “Pastoral Scheme” suggested by The Diocese involves Wellow and Sherfield English, currently one benefice, joining with Thorngate benefice (Lockerley, East and West Tytherley and East Dean) to make one benefice of six parishes although each parish church retains a committee to run and finance the church. At St Leonard’s, not only do we have to maintain the

building and pay the bills, but we also should pay the Diocese about £10,000 annually. This amount is not reduced even if you are in “Vacancy”.

Obviously, with covid around, we, like a number of other churches have not paid this target amount. We are relieved then that our fundraising can start

up again, so if you are free for coffee and a cake on 5th February do come

and swell the coffers, as well as meeting your friends. We are delighted that St Leonard’s has been chosen to host the Confirmation Service of the area’s candidates with the acting Bishop of Winchester, Debbie Sellin, taking the service on Sunday 10th April. We have

several parishioners making this important step in their Christian life, and if

you would like to do the same then please let me or Clare know as soon as

possible. Julia Noble, St Leonard’s Churchwarden

December 2021

The Christmas season at St Leonard’s – we hold our Carol Service at 6pm on 12th December when the church will be decked out in the colours of Christmas. We are delighted that we have been invited to sing carols outside The Hatchet on Monday 13th December at 7.30pm, so do come and join us, why not book a table for some food to add to the fun, and enjoy the chance to sing. We pray for fine, and crisp and even weather – but not too crisp maybe! On Christmas Eve we hold our Midnight Communion at 8pm, so much more sensible to be at that time we say, and James will be leading this special service as we think about what a year we have all had, and celebrate over this Christmas season by being kind to those around us.

November 2021

Spectacular and special September, came and went, we celebrated Harvest with tremendous flower arrangements, a plethora of marrows on display, and enjoyed a “thank you” service for our Rector Chris Pettet, which was well attended by members of the village. Chris has retired and has moved to Winchester Close, so you may still see him around.

St Leonard’s is now placed in “Vacancy”. We are pleased to have Rev. James Pitkin from Lockerley, Thorngate Benefice and our Area Dean taking a monthly Holy Communion Service on the first Sunday of each month. We are meeting with the Bishop and Archdeacon in November to see how St Leonard’s and St Margaret’s, Wellow can join the existing Thorngate Benefice of 4 churches. In the meantime the churchwardens, Clare and I, are undertaking Diocesan Worship Leadership training and we are now allowed to take services regularly. The training is a typical Diocese affair – apparently wearing red is a no go when leading worship, too loud and distracting, so last Sunday I wore a red jumper! The comment was that I did merge in with our lovely red carpet a bit, but I shall not weaken!

On Saturday 13th November 10.30am – 12 noon you can join us for a fundraising coffee as you gaze at the woollen World War II displays – even Sir Winston Churchill will be in woollen attendance. Such talented knitters in the village, and not just knattering it seems! Our Remembrance Service will be taken by Rev. Nick Grew and held at 10.45am on Sunday 14th November, and I hope that Martin and the bell ringers will muffle the bells to create quite the atmosphere. The Sherfield English poppy wreath and all of the forces and civilian representatives wreaths, will be placed during the service and crosses from any member of the congregation can be laid in memory of their family or friends – as it reads on The Kohima Epitaph “When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today”. We missed out on this service last year due to lockdown so please do come and be part of this moving service.

On 27th November we have our traditional Christmas Fair with refreshment on offer as well as produce, knitted items, craft and a Christmas hamper raffle. There is also time to knatter! On Advent Sunday, 28th November, we will celebrate Christingle and enjoy using the orange, red ribbon, dolly mixtures and sultanas and a candle to represent the world, the blood of Christ, the seasons and Christ as The light of the world. In St Leonard’s it is a slightly messy and chaotic affair and some creations are dolly mixtureless by the end of the service but a good fun start to the Christian year.

Which brings us on to the Christmas season at St Leonard’s – we hold our Carol Service at 6pm on 12th December when the church will be decked out in the colours of Christmas. We are delighted that we have been invited to sing carols outside The Hatchet on Monday 13th December at 7.30pm, so do come and join us, why not book a table for some food to add to the fun, and enjoy the chance to sing. We pray for fine, and crisp and even weather – but not too crisp maybe! On Christmas Eve we hold our Midnight Communion at 8pm, so much more sensible to be at that time we say, and James will be leading this special service as we think about what a year we have all had, and celebrate over this Christmas season by being kind to those around us.

Julia Noble St Leonard’s Churchwarden