Pew News - 4 October 2026
Lay Ministry Licensing Service - Kirsty Harris
We are delighted to share the news that Kirsty, along with a number of new Licensed Lay Ministers will be licensed at Winchester Cathedral this October.
All are warmly invited to attend the service to support and celebrate with these candidates as they step into their new ministries. Your presence would be greatly valued on this significant occasion!
Service details are as follows:
Date: Saturday, 10 October 2026
Time: 11.00am
Arrival: Please arrive by 10.45am
Location: Winchester Cathedral
We very much hope you will be able to join us for this joyful and significant service.
Attendees are asked to complete an online registration form - please follow this link https://winchesterdiocese.org/course/lay-ministry-licensing-service/
We have some printed forms available in church; if you would prefer, please complete one of these and we will submit the online form on your behalf.
🙏 THIS WEEK PLEASE PRAY FOR
Garry R, Jake C, Anna B, Annie G, Hilary & Chris L, Stella O, Carol Q, Juliet G, Enid & Jim M, Tyler.
The prayer team continues to pray for all who have requested prayer.
To request prayer: Contact Claire Buston prayer@sholing.church
FOOD BANK URGENTLY NEEDS
· Shower gel
· Shampoo
· Conditioner
· Deodorant
🪥 TOOTHBRUSH APPEAL
During October we try to collect sufficient toothbrushes to give to each member of a family that comes to the food bank. If you can help, we will need toothbrushes for adults and children. Any gifts can be placed in the wicker basket in the church hall. Thank you from the team – and those people who will receive a new toothbrush.
🎄 Christmas Volunteers x 15
Our Christmas Fayre will be held on Saturday 5 December, from 11am–2pm, and we are looking for around 15 volunteers to help make the event a success.
Kirsty has very kindly offered to oversee this year’s Fayre, and we have decided to run as many of the stalls ourselves as possible. This will help us raise the maximum amount of money for the church.
We have a range of stalls planned and would also love to hear any ideas you may have for other stalls or activities.
If you can spare some time to help, or have an idea you’d like to suggest, please speak to Kirsty.
🎁 Christmas Gift Donations
As part of our Christmas Fayre, we would be very grateful for donations of new, unused gifts that could be sold on our gift stall.
If you have any suitable items at home that you no longer need or would like to buy something especially for the Fayre, we would be delighted to receive them.
All proceeds from the Fayre will go towards supporting the church.
Donations can be brought to church. Thank you very much for your generosity and support!
☕ Hospitality Refreshments on Sundays
We’d love to offer drinks and biscuits after both the 8:30am and 10am services, creating opportunities to connect and build relationships as a church family.
To make this possible, we need to expand the team who prepare, serve and clear away. This is usually shared between several people, so you wouldn’t be expected to cover the whole session. Even offering one role, once a month, would make a real difference. Please speak to Kirsty.
🎉 Heritage Events
We’re delighted to have so many people already registered.
TITANIC SOUTHAMPTON
Wed 7 Oct, 6.30pm
WW1 SOUTHAMPTON
Fri 23 Oct, 6.30pm
ROMANI POET RAINE GEOGHEGAN
Sat 7 Nov, 3pm
These events are free to attend, but we ask that you register in advance to help us plan
seating. Tel: 023 8044 8337 or Email: heritage@sholing.church
MONTHLY RESTORITIVE YOGA
Fri 16 Oct & Fri 13 Nov 7-8.30pm
Restorative Yoga is all about slowing down, regulating the nervous system, deep rest and relaxation.
Your body will be fully supported with bolsters, pillows and props so no muscular contraction occurs, enabling rest.
There will be some gentle movement at the beginning before transitioning into the restorative poses, some breathwork and guided meditation. To book on please use the link below:
https://bookwhen.com/beckyyoga
or email becky@beckyyoga.co.uk
✝️ Service of Rededication
Sun 1 November | Seated by 10:45am
We would love as many of our church family as possible to join us. Everyone is warmly invited!
Please let Joyce know whether or not you will be attending, so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
📖 FUNDRAISING COOKBOOK
A big thank you to everyone who has already supported us by purchasing our fundraising cookbook. We’ve had some wonderful feedback, with many people saying how much they love the recipes and how beautifull the finished book looks.
Every cookbook has been lovingly put together with recipes and contributions from the friends and families of St Mary’s, making it a very special collection - and a great way to support our church at the same time.
🎄 It also makes a lovely Christmas present! 🎁
If you haven’t got your copy yet, why not pick one up? And if you don’t see the cookbooks on display, please speak to one of our PCC members, who will be very happy to help.
🧹 CLEANING & MAINTENANCE
Can you spare some time on the morning of Saturday 10th October to help with some light cleaning and maintenance duties around our church? Just turn up. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Just turn up ready to help!
IKNOW APP
We hope you are all enjoying using the iknow app and receiving reminders for when you are serving.
If you ‘ve not yet signed up for the phone app, there are a few leaflets in the service folders giving instruction or you can email Bev at office@sholing.church
The Parish Giving Scheme - A simple and efficient way to support your church regularly. The Parish Giving Scheme makes giving easy, secure, and tax-efficient - helping your gift go further and reducing administration for the parish. If you’d like to know more, please speak to Ben or Garry.
SHARE YOUR STORIES OF SHOLING & ST MARY’S
We’d really love to hear from you.
As part of our Heritage 160 celebrations, we are collecting stories, memories, and treasures that make up the living history of our parish.
We’d love to hear about your connections to St Mary’s Church Sholing or the wider Parish of Sholing. Your contribution will help preserve our shared heritage for future generations. There are forms and envelopes available in the Hall or you can speak to one of our team or email us at Heritage@Sholing.Church
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