Upper Itchen Benefice

11th September 2026

SERVICES

SERVICES this week – Sunday 13^th September

09:30 Bramdean –Holy Communion

11:00 Kilmeston – Morning Worship

15:00 Church in the Wood – Evensong

18:00 Tichborne – Family RC Requiem Mass

SERVICES NEXT WEEK – Sunday 20^th September

09:30 Cheriton – Holy Communion, with Canon Phil Colins and Revd. Sarah

11:00 Hinton Ampner – Prayer and Praise

NOTICES

Curate on Placement

Please welcome Revd Malcolm Bruce, Curate of the Three Saints Benefice, Winchester. Revd. Malcolm will be on placement to the Upper Itchen Benefice from Sunday 16^th August to Sunday 18^th October.

Hinton Ampner Harvest Lunch

The Hinton Ampner Harvest lunch will be after the Hinton Ampner Harvest Festival service on the 18th October at Lane End Farm House, Longwood, SO21 1JU, courtesy of David and Sue Elton. Please email Sue on Sue@laneendfarm.co.uk to let her know if you are attending. Donations to the produce table will be most welcome.

Bellringing at Cheriton – Saturday 12^th September

There are visiting ringers to Cheriton this Saturday, between 10am and 11am, with more ringing (by local bellringers) both before and after a lunchtime wedding.

Art for All – Every Thursday at 10am

St Michael and All Angels, Cheriton invites everyone to enjoy an hour of Creativity in the church, every Thursday at 10am.

Relish the cool, quiet and calm in the church to work on your own project. Followed by tea at Café on the Green for those who have time and wish to do so.

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A Prayer for the the village of Cheriton

O God of mercy and of might,

when tragedy strikes we can feel helpless and afraid

and so we blame you, we blame others, and we blame ourselves.

Help us to endure through sadness and shock;

Be to our community a steady and faithful friend,

Showing your unchanging steadfast loving-kindness

in acts of neighbourly kindness, support, and forgiveness.

Restore the peace and harmony of lives,

which you won, once and forever,

in the crucified and resurrected body of Jesus Christ, Our Lord.

Amen. 

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War in Ukraine

As the heart-breaking news of war in Ukraine becomes more horrific every day, we rightly ask ourselves “what can I do to help”? In a seemingly hardened world, thank you for your sensitivity towards the hurt and harm of others; for laying oneself open to love another person is the first victory.

Read Scripture

Jesus said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” John 14.27

For in [Jesus] all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. Colossians 1.19-20

Jesus said “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.” John 14.16-17

Pray to God

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

O ALMIGHTY God, King of all kings, and Governor of all things, whose power no creature is able to resist, to whom it belongeth justly to punish sinners, and to be merciful to them that truly repent: Save and deliver us, we humbly beseech thee, from the hands of our enemies; abate their pride, asswage their malice, and confound their devices; that we, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore from all perils, to glorify thee, who art the only giver of all victory; through the merits of thy only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Act in Power

1. Examine your own intentions. Repent of any prejudice or selfishness that distorts your relationships with others, especially those in peril or debt. And receive God’s liberating forgiveness.
2. Intercede for the voiceless by lobbying our government. Consider writing to your MP (https://www.flickdrummond.com/).
3. Use your resources ethically. Ensure your own personal investments and business partnerships do not support warmongering nations.
4. Reach out to Eastern European citizens who may be friends, colleagues, or staff. Listen to what they want to say. Celebrate their cultures, and make them welcome.
5. Donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee Appeal for Ukraine (https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal)