Newsletter Number 226 - July 2025

Mid-Summer's Day has passed and we are already into the second half of 2025! Did time always pass this quickly?

It was lovely to see many of you at our Open Day on 7^th June. Closely watching the weather forecast in the days ahead, we were very pleasantly surprised that the day dawned much better than we had dared to hope and it was a happy and successful day. Almost two hundred people came along and well over one thousand pounds was raised to ensure St. Edmund's remains in good repair. A big thank you to all those who helped. If you weren't able to be there, or even if you were, do have a look at the photos Edmund has added to the FOCOC website.

For those of us who follow the FOCOC year which starts on 1^st April, our Treasurer, Alan King, has asked me to remind you that subscriptions are now due. Subscriptions are £1 per person but for any members who generously give more - this can be Gift Aided.

Over the years we have been blessed with beautiful flower arrangements in the Church. Unfortunately, for various reasons, the number of our flower arrangers has decreased. If you enjoy flower arranging or know someone who does and who would like to keep our Church looking lovely, please contact me. The cost of the flowers will be reimbursed.

Now it's time to think of our next events starting with a Summer Tea Party at the Church Centre on Saturday 26^th July at 3pm. Tickets are £8 and available from the Church Office (01329 661154) or from me (01329 665164).

Bank Holiday Monday 25^th August we will have a stall at the Stubbington Fayre selling Jigsaws and Preserves. Please come along and support us.

Friday 26^th September at 10.30am Derek Titheridge, a member of FOCOC, has generously invited us to a Coffee Morning. As there is limited parking at Derek's the Scout car park on Titchfield Road will be open.

Monday 13^th October at 12 noon there will be a Harvest Soup‘n’Sandwiches at the Rotary Wheelhouse, Hill Head - more details later. This is the day following the celebration of Harvest at the 9.30 Morning Service.

Looking further ahead, here are some dates for your diary, more details to follow:-

On Saturday 29^th November we will hold our Yuletide Fayre at the Parish Centre from 10am to noon.

Sunday 30^th November sees the Solent Community Choir return to present an Advent Concert at 4pm at St. Edmund's Church.

The Service of Nine Lessons and Carols will be held at St. Edmund's Church on Sunday 21^st December at 4pm.

Finally, on Christmas Eve at 5pm there will be the usual Nativity Service for children and the young at heart.

Just a reminder that Services are held at St. Edmund's every Sunday at 09.30am.

BCP Holy Communion is held on the 1^st and 3^rd Sundays, Morning Service on the 2^nd and 4^th Sundays and Common Worship when there is a 5^th Sunday in the month.

Tea and Coffee are served after Services on the 2^nd, 4^th and 5^th Sundays.

The Church is open on the 18^th of every month from 10.00am to 12.00 noon for visitors and private prayer.

I hope to see you at our future events, meanwhile, enjoy the rest of the summer.

All good wishes

Sue Johnson

Chairman