Happy Christmas!

A very happy Christmas to everyone and thank you to all those who attended our Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.   Particular thanks to Rev Raymond Obin who took the service, whilst Christine was at Highclere.  We are also especially grateful to those who prepared the church and took part in the service:  flower arrangers, the family who prepared the tree, candle lighters, bell ringers, the choir and our wonderful organist.
We received a request last year that the service be brought forward from the current 1130 start time to 1115 or 1100.  Thank you to those who gave us your views last night but please keep the comments coming in, by speaking to any PCC member, using the contact form or commenting on this post.   Midnight Mass is a highlight of our year and we are committed to making sure that it meets all your expectations!

Christine's installation as Honorary Canon

On Sunday 26 November our rector, Christine Dale, was installed as an Honorary Canon of Winchester Cathedral.  The ceremony, conducted by the Bishop, was included in the Choral Evensong service and well attended, including a party of around thirty-five from the Benefice (thank you, Margaret, for organising the coach!)    It was a wonderful occasion and opportunity to celebrate the recognition of Christine’s work.

As most people are aware, Christine is on special leave until 10th December, but in her absence we are very lucky to be able to rely on the skills of our lay ministry team and are also most grateful to the Archdeacon, Ven Richard Brand, and Area Dean, Rev Craig Marshall, who have been taking services of Christine’s behalf.

Finally may I say a big thank you to those who contributed to the ‘work party’ at the church on Saturday 25th (as well as those who look after the church the rest of the year).  Both the inside and outside are looking very tidy and well prepared for the forthcoming journey to Christmas.

Farewell to a wonderful lady

The first half of November has been a busy time and a mixture of joyous celebration and thoughtful remembrance.   On 6th November we gave thanks for the wonderful and long life of Doris Webb.  The fact that some six people now perform Doris’ former duties in the church best illustrates her tireless and committed service to St Martin’s over many years.  We all miss her, and our thoughts are with her family, but she has left an amazing and inspiring example to all of us.

Her funeral was two days after Antonia Ede and Archie Sebag-Montefiore’s wedding.   This was a magnificent occasion.  The church was full and not even a rogue ‘cipher’ on the organ could dull the superb singing of the congregation and celebrations!

On 12th, we met at the East End war memorial for the annual service of remembrance.  Luckily the rain held off.  Thank you to Mike Sarson, who led the service in Christine’s absence at Highclere, and everyone else involved.   Special thanks to the Chipchase family for once more organising refreshments.

September Family service

Thank you to everybody who attended this morning's service. It was wonderful to see you all and to welcome Christine back after her holiday.  Thank you, Christine, for leading us and for your interpretation of the parable of the workers in the vineyard.  (The picture above is Rembrandt's painting showing the workers being paid -  a somewhat different image from those who took the parts of the workers this morning!) 
As always, thank you to those who arranged coffee, juice, biscuits etc after the service and we were particularly grateful to Richard Foster for playing the organ in Hugh's absence.

September Parish Communion

A big thank you to Rev Mark Christian who returned to St Martin's this morning to lead our Parish Communion service, whilst Christine is taking a very well earned holiday.  All of us could associate with his supermarket story, the need to try and avoid confrontation and how difficult that can be sometimes!   
Thank you, Mark, and we all look forward to welcoming you back in the future.  We also look forward to Christine's return to lead our Family service in two weeks' time.