Just after recent solar eclipse was over, the first verse of an Easter hymn by Charles Wesley came into my mind:
Love’s redeeming work is done;
Fought the fight, the battle won:
Lo, our Sun’s eclipse is o’er!
Lo, he sets in blood no more.
Christianity
How Many of the Ten Commandments Do You Know?
Let’s have a look at the Bible during Lent.
How many of the Ten Commandments do you know?
Most people can probably remember that there’s one about graven images, one about killing (actually it’s murder, but that’s a whole different argument) and coveting (because the first time they heard it they had to rush for a dictionary to find out what “covet” meant”).
Here they are: [Read more…] about How Many of the Ten Commandments Do You Know?
Generosity: Chandler’s Ford Neighbours Support Eastleigh Basics Bank
Two days ago, on our way to Chandler’s Ford Train Station in the morning, my son and I saw Hazel Bateman outside St. Boniface Church, loading lots of things into the boot of her car.
That was a precious moment, so I snapped a few pictures.
Hazel was collecting and delivering food and household products donated by [Read more…] about Generosity: Chandler’s Ford Neighbours Support Eastleigh Basics Bank
Lent – Give up and Take up
Lent is coming up – it’s the six (or so) weeks from Ash Wednesday (Wednesday, 18th February in 2015) to Easter Day (or, possibly Palm Sunday).
Traditionally, at least in the Catholic and Anglican churches, it’s a time when we “give things up”. But it is not about giving things up for the sake of it. It’s more about making us better people – and doing something useful with the time or money we save. [Read more…] about Lent – Give up and Take up
Carols In The Streets 2014: Church@four
If you missed carols in the streets of Hiltingbury on the 21st of December 2014, you can now enjoy the carols in the Youtube clip below.
St. Martin in the Wood Church in Chandler’s Ford took carol singing to the streets.
This beautifully created video (5 minutes) is produced by Alexander Daraklitsas. [Read more…] about Carols In The Streets 2014: Church@four
Merry Christmas: From Good Neighbours Brian And Suzette Matthews
Do you remember The Precinct Gift Centre?
I miss this little gift shop very much.
The Precinct Gift Centre was loved by many. It held many local people’s childhood memories.
It was my favourite gift shop. Sadly, the shop closed in February 2006 after 16 years [Read more…] about Merry Christmas: From Good Neighbours Brian And Suzette Matthews
Christmas Greetings For Chandler’s Ford 2014
Update 1st Nov 2016: Closed: Stairway Bakery and Coffee Shop at Fryern Arcade
Original post (below):
Have you had mince pies with your loved ones yet?
Why not visit The Coffee Room at the Methodist Church? The delicious home-made mince pie is 30 pence. I’ve had a few. [Read more…] about Christmas Greetings For Chandler’s Ford 2014
Christingle Service Chandler’s Ford St. Boniface Church 2014
This morning, my son and I attended the Christingle service at St. Boniface Church as our Christmas tradition.
It was a beautiful service led by Reverend Christine Whitehead. One hundred Christingles were given out to children and their families.
Linda Read got her daughters and a few volunteers to help prepare for Christingles, [Read more…] about Christingle Service Chandler’s Ford St. Boniface Church 2014
Asda Eastleigh: Chandler’s Ford Churches Together Carol Singing 2014
We had a fabulous event in the Asda store on Monday the 15th.
It’s the third year in a row we have had the Chandler’s Ford Churches Together choir with the Chandler’s Ford Boys’ Brigade Brass Band (@1CFBB) under the direction of bandmaster Simon Farrenden, with the Chandler’s Ford Street Pastors collecting for Christian Aid. [Read more…] about Asda Eastleigh: Chandler’s Ford Churches Together Carol Singing 2014
Christmas Carol? Christmas Hymn?
The term ‘carol’, as generally used, includes some items that appear in hymnbooks and are sung by congregations – such as Away in a manger and Once in royal David’s city.
The term is also used sometimes for items that are not congregational hymns.
Some would not normally form part of a church service – such as We wish you a happy Christmas or Past three o’clock. [Read more…] about Christmas Carol? Christmas Hymn?
My Favourite Childhood Christmas Memories in a Village
I always start to feel that Christmas is getting near when the town centre gets dark before the shops close. So what do I remember of Christmases as a child (apart from the dark high street)?
Mum was very strict on the time when decorations could go up – not before the start of the school holidays. But my sisters and I would often (at least when we were old enough) be trusted to decorate the tree. Except [Read more…] about My Favourite Childhood Christmas Memories in a Village
The Unique Madding Crowd Concerts
The Madding Crowd is a performing group which researches and performs the church and secular music of the English village bands and choirs in the period 1660 to 1861.
The group was founded in 1975.
The Madding Crowd’s next concert is on Friday 12th December at 8 pm in Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church. [Read more…] about The Unique Madding Crowd Concerts
What Christmas Means To Me
Christmas is Creativity.
It is found in the story of the Nativity, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and film stories like The Polar Express.
It is found in poems such as A Visit from St. Nicholas (probably better known as The Night Before Christmas) by Clement Clarke Moore and In the Bleak Midwinter by Christina Rossetti. [Read more…] about What Christmas Means To Me
Age Concern Chandler’s Ford Carol Service 2014
Yesterday I left work early to attend the carol service of Age Concern Chandler’s Ford at the Methodist Church.
Thornden School Wind Band and Toynbee School Choir, with their youthful energy, enthusiasm and talents, impressed the senior members of our community, making the carol service a much cherished event. [Read more…] about Age Concern Chandler’s Ford Carol Service 2014
What Does Christmas Mean For Non-Christians?
We can all enjoy Christmas. It is not necessary to focus on baby Jesus and the traditional story of shepherds and three wise men.
Last Christmas was spent in Sri Lanka, a country with only 10% Christians but where the Buddhists (70%), Hindu and Muslim all joined in the celebrations.
We had to dress as Santa and his helper [Read more…] about What Does Christmas Mean For Non-Christians?
Being Human – Christmas Message From Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford
By Reverend Tim Searle
Christmas is undoubtedly a special time of year, but it is often quite a frantic time too.
Our ‘To Do’ lists seem endless and the mountain of cards waiting to be signed grows year-on-year. We spend more, eat more, travel more, get stressed more … we even go to church more!
I begin to suffer from Christmas fatigue [Read more…] about Being Human – Christmas Message From Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford
Christmas Is Coming – But Not Just Yet
Christmas is approaching! This is very obvious when you visit a major shopping centre, watch adverts on television, etc. Indeed, the first invitation to buy Christmas cards came to me as early as September (or was it August?).
It’s understandable that businesses work this way, as Christmas sales contribute so much to their turnover. But, for those who don’t run businesses, weariness can set in, until Christmas becomes [Read more…] about Christmas Is Coming – But Not Just Yet
Interview Chandler’s Ford Writer Allison Symes
I have had the pleasure of interviewing Chandler’s Ford writer Allison Symes.
Allison Symes loves reading and writing fairytales.
Novels are her first love, though she also flirts with short stories, occasionally has a fling with poems and now writes radio scripts.
[Read more…] about Interview Chandler’s Ford Writer Allison Symes
How Methodist Church Dovetail Centre Surprises Me
Updated on 30th July 2017:
Coffee Room at the Methodist Church
The Coffee Room will operate from the Purple Room from Monday 31st July until Tuesday 15th August 2017 while the Dovetail Centre is being refurbished.
The usual range of teas and coffee and biscuits will be available from 9.30 am to 12 noon Monday to Saturday. Access to the Purple Room is from the car park.
Follow the signs.
Below is the original post dated 28th Oct 2014.
My son and I visited the Coffee Room in the Dovetail Centre of the Methodist Church on Winchester Road yesterday.
I went there to buy some tickets for MDG Players’ upcoming comedy: Ladies of Iniquity.
Three things at the Coffee Room surprised me. [Read more…] about How Methodist Church Dovetail Centre Surprises Me
Building Strong Fairtrade Community In Chandler’s Ford
There is a strong and well-connected Fairtrade community in Chandler’s Ford. The Fairtrade Christmas shopping event last Friday (17th October 2014) at Hiltingbury just proved it.
Tricia Urquhart from Hiltingbury organised a successful Fairtrade Christmas get-together for the community at St. Martin in the Wood Church, where I met old and new friends, who enjoyed an alternative Christmas shopping experience. [Read more…] about Building Strong Fairtrade Community In Chandler’s Ford