Welcome to the Whitewater Benefice in Hampshire. We are 4 churches in the Church of England, Winchester Diocese: St John the Evangelist in Hook, and the village churches of Mattingley, Rotherwick and St Michael in Heckfield. We all celebrate the focus of our church life: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.
We would like to welcome you to join us: for worship, friendship, prayers, and a variety of other activities - for details see our weekly notices. You can sign up for our weekly notices to be emailed to you. If your neighbour is not using this service, you might like to encourage them or to print the notices sheet out for them?
Our church continues to be alive and active, but our buildings must close as we minimise the opportunity for spread of coronavirus through our community. Although we are very sad not to be able to gather in one place for worship and prayer we are seeking to offer alternatives that people can join in with in a virtual context. Small groups are meeting around the Benefice using modern technology and 'virtual fellowship'. This includes our Choir Socials, Junior Church and Fingerprints preschool group. Some groups are praying together on WhatsApp, and so please do not be left out. Get in touch through our regular phones, 01256 760169 or 01256 763211; or emails: office@whitewaterchurches.co.uk, if you would like to join in. A pastoral care mobile phone is covered 24/7: 07793 078062. If you would like a copy of the Whitewater Benefice Magazine for April, it may be found in the porches of St John's in Hook, and Rotherwick Church. We are not able to deliver this month, but hope you can still access a copy on a healthy walk!
A prayer for us all affected by the changing circumstances of our lives:
Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us to love our neighbour, and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you.
In this time of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick, and to assure the isolated of our love, and your love. We pray for all who are working for healing and hope, and for those who are anxious and fearful. Lead us to be guided by you to offer help in the places where it is most needed, for your name’s sake. Amen.
A prayer from the Correymeela Community in Ireland, with thanks to the Sacred Heart church in Hook who posted on Facebook:
God of the one and God of the whole, be with those who are working from home, and those whose work keeps them from home. Be with those who won't go beyond the front porch, and those who stay on the front line. Be with those who must choose between doing a job they know they can do and being the parent only they can be. May we each in our private worry hear your universal call to come, lay down heavy burdens, and find a welcome rest. And then with our burdens lightened, may we help to hold the whole. Amen.
Sunday's worship will be available on this website under: Online Worship
Two prayers are offered for this Sunday, the Fifth Sunday in Lent:
Gracious Father, you gave up your Son out of love for the world:
lead us to ponder the mysteries of his passion, that we may know eternal peace through the shedding of our Saviour's blood,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us that what we do for the least of our brothers and sisters we do also for you:
give us the will to be the servant of others as you were the servant of all, and gave up your life and died for us, but are alive and reign, now and for ever. Amen.
The Benefice office is now manned by myself, and until we appoint a new administrator, please be patient with office cover. I shall be monitoring emails/phone, but if urgent, please call myself or Shona. We continue to pray for our previous administrator, Mel Lovegrove, who is now working full time in the Hospice near her home.
Update on Saturday 28th March, Hart Foodbank. Donations points for food are at the Life Church in Hook, St Barnabas Darby Green, Waitrose Fleet and Fleet Methodist Church. Our weekly notices highlight the particular needs this week.
With every blessing, Canon Marion de Quidt
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| Hook | Heckfield | Rotherwick | Mattingley |
We are committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of everyone within our church community, see our safeguarding page for contacts & further details.
