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churches together

Becoming a Pilgrim of Hope – Christmas Message from Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford – 2024

December 6, 2024 By Churches Together in Chandler's Ford Leave a Comment

Nativity Scene 2024 Christmas Article

Written by Rev Deacon Paul Owen
St Edward the Confessor Catholic Church (part of the Catholic Parish of St Swithun Wells)
on behalf of Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford

We are well into December and our senses are full of the coming of Christmas. Whether it’s the Christmas lights springing up all over the area; the Christmas songs we hear all the time in shops or on the radio; the adverts on the TV encouraging us to buy more food and presents than we need. But this year, perhaps more so than in previous years, we prepare for Christmas in a world faced with difficult times. A world in which suffering, wars and political uncertainty are a greater threat than they have been for many years.

Image by NickyPe Christmas gifts and baubles via Pixabay

It got me thinking about what it is that is special for us as we approach another Christmas. What is it we look for at Christmas? For us Christians, this period of preparation for Christmas is called Advent. The central theme of Advent for all Christians is hope. But for each one of us, where do we find our hope this Christmas?
[Read more…] about Becoming a Pilgrim of Hope – Christmas Message from Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford – 2024

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Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, Christianity, Christmas, church, churches together, community, history, local interest, religion, tradition

Election Hustings – Meet the Candidates for Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh – Sunday June 23rd

June 12, 2024 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

Hustings - Chandler's Ford and Eastleigh
Hustings – Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh

As we are all aware, the parliamentary constituency of Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh is newly re-organised and most electors have had little opportunity to see their candidates in person.

In Chandler’s Ford, all potential electors are invited to a special event to see and hear from the parliamentary candidates for Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh.

Date and Time: Sunday, June 23rd, 7:00 PM (doors open at 6:30 PM)

Location: Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church, Winchester Road, SO53 2GJ

Organised by Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford and Chaired by Bishop Geoff Annas, Acting Bishop of Southampton, the meeting is open to all electors in Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh, of all faiths or none.

Please come and support this and hear from the candidates to help inform your vote, for an evening of discussion and engagement.

Remember to arrive early to secure your seat.

Churches Together in Chandler's Ford
Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford

 

Submit Your Questions

[Read more…] about Election Hustings – Meet the Candidates for Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh – Sunday June 23rd

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Tags: Chandler's Ford, Chandler’s Ford community, churches together, community, Eastleigh, election, event, local interest, Methodist Church, politics

The Treasure of Easter! By Canon Paul Hardingham

March 28, 2024 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

resurrection-image by geralt via pixabay

Author: Canon Paul Hardingham

It’s amazing what treasure can be unearthed with metal detectors! In this season of Easter, let’s rediscover the greatest unburied treasure of the Resurrection.

The Apostle Peter reminds us that God ‘has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.’ (1 Peter 1: 3,4). What does he say about this treasure?

resurrection-image by geralt via pixabay

[Read more…] about The Treasure of Easter! By Canon Paul Hardingham

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Christmas Message by Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford – 2023

December 4, 2023 By Churches Together in Chandler's Ford Leave a Comment

Willow tree nativity set - from Rev Hayley Richens

‘Opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts…’ (Matthew 2:11)

I wonder what sort of gift-giver you are? Do you have creative ideas, effortlessly putting together fun, interesting and unique Christmas presents for your loved ones? Maybe you reflect on each person on your list and come up with perfectly personalised gifts? Perhaps you’re on the other end of the spectrum and pick up random items, in blind panic, on Christmas Eve? Most people are probably somewhere in the middle, working their way through a list of names and doing their best to find a meaningful gift.

Christmas gifts image by guvo59 via Pixabay

As I have been re-reading the Christmas story this year the above words from the bible have stuck in my mind. They come from the story of the wise men who found the baby Jesus at the end of their journey. Filled with joy they bowed down, paid homage and opened their treasure-chests, and offered him gifts… The wise men lived in turbulent times and were overwhelmed with joy in finding the new king who would rule with God’s justice and bring peace.

Willow tree nativity set - from Rev Hayley Richens
Willow tree nativity set – from Rev Hayley Richens

[Read more…] about Christmas Message by Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford – 2023

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Christmas Angels – Churches Together in Chandler‘s Ford

November 28, 2022 By Churches Together in Chandler's Ford Leave a Comment

Belief in angels is common to many religions, and some recent research also shows some atheists admitting to believing in them. They are important in the Islamic tradition as well as Jewish and Christian faiths. Angels feature in popular culture, films, songs, and street art including works of Banksy. Some people believe in ‘guardian angels’ and others think of them more as messengers from God.

Bringing a little joy into Chandler's Ford community this Christmas through the knitted angels.
Bringing a little joy into Chandler’s Ford community this Christmas through the knitted angels.

At this time of year Christians think of the angels who brought messages to Mary and to Joseph, and those witnessed by shepherds; first a single angel bringing the good news of the birth of Jesus and then many, singing of peace on earth.

In these unsettled times, news of joy and peace are much needed and so Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford have combined to bring a little joy into our community this Christmas through the knitted angels that you will find popping up around the streets and public places in mid-December. [Read more…] about Christmas Angels – Churches Together in Chandler‘s Ford

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Easter Egg Trail in Chandler’s Ford

March 30, 2021 By Churches Together in Chandler's Ford Leave a Comment

Easter 2015: beautiful daffodils signify Easter.

From Churches Together In Chandler’s Ford

For Christians, Easter is a time to celebrate New Life and God’s love and hope for the world. This feels especially timely this year. As churches around Chandler’s Ford are cautiously returning to worshiping in their buildings, Churches Together locally have also combined to create an opportunity for the community to celebrate these with us in the open air by taking part in our Easter Trail. You will be guided around 10 locations in Chandler’s Ford, finding clues and discovering the unfolding Easter Story.

All are welcome to join in any time from the 31 March 2021. There will be simple activities to take part in and small gifts to pick up along the way. Simply join the start of the trail at St Martin in the Wood, Randal Roadd, or look out for the egg signs. The route is about 3 miles so families with younger children may want to spread it out over more than one walk. We hope people of all ages can enjoy this and celebrate with us.

Happy Easter!

Easter Egg Trail in Chandler's Ford, from 31.03.21 to 11.04.2021.
Easter Egg Trail in Chandler’s Ford, from 31.03.21 to 11.04.2021.

 

[Read more…] about Easter Egg Trail in Chandler’s Ford

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‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ – Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford

December 13, 2020 By Churches Together in Chandler's Ford Leave a Comment

Christmas 2020 - God is with you, with me, and with us.
https://chandlersfordtoday.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/CT-Oh-Come-All-Ye-Faithful-2-1.mp3

Usually at this time of year musicians and singers from the Churches of Chandler’s Ford join forces to serenade Christmas shoppers in our local ASDA with a selection of carols. This year COVID restrictions and regulations have meant it is not possible but instead we were invited to provide a carol for the store radio in December.

This very familiar carol , with a modern twist is an invitation to gather joyfully to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Gathering and Joy may feel in short supply this year but Christians everywhere believe that when God came in Jesus to share the sufferings of humanity he showed his love for us and that is a cause for celebration.

Whoever you are with this Christmas, God is with us. We invite you to share in the comfort of this. We wish you a joyful Christmas.

Christmas 2020 - God is with you, with me, and with us.
Christmas 2020 – God is with you, with me, and with us.

[Read more…] about ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ – Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford

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Christmas Church Services in Chandler’s Ford 2019

December 19, 2019 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

Christingles

Church Services for Christmas 2019 – Chandler’s Ford Churches Together

Click to read about Church Services for Christmas 2019 in Chandler's Ford
Click to read about Church Services for Christmas 2019 in Chandler’s Ford

Christmas with the Parish of Chandler’s Ford 2019

Christmas with the Parish of Chandler's Ford 2019
Christmas with the Parish of Chandler’s Ford 2019

The 6 Hidden Lessons at Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church 22nd and 23rd December 2019


[Read more…] about Christmas Church Services in Chandler’s Ford 2019

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Christmas: A Time for Family and Friends

December 13, 2019 By Christine Clark Leave a Comment

The birth of Jesus was the beginning of family life for Mary, Joseph and their new son. Mary’s pregnancy had not been normal by anyone’s standards, starting with the conception from the Holy Spirit, announced by the angel Gabriel. The gospels do not go into detail but we can guess how difficult it must have been for Mary to explain this to her parents as well as her intended, Joseph. There will have been gossip and funny looks in the market place, I am sure, as her pregnancy became more obvious. So, not easy for a young girl. Luckily, Joseph was guided by an angel not to divorce her but to support her. Then there was the journey to Bethlehem, for Joseph to register in the census, and the lack of accommodation there that meant that the new Messiah was born in a lowly stable.

Christmas nativity

This story is familiar to us all, as each Christmas we hear the Bible passages and sing the words in our carols. And, of course, it is illustrated on the Christmas cards we send and receive, the Advent calendars, and the decorations in our homes and our towns. So familiar are these images that it is too easy for us to become hardened to them and not to look at them afresh to read what they really tell us.

The new little family – the Holy Family – was unique. Mary, Jesus’ mother, was chosen by God to carry and give birth to his son. As any mother does, she nurtured him, watched as he grew up, guided him, then stepped back as he set out on his ministry. Later, she had to watch and live through his violent death. Mary is now venerated as the model of all mothers and holds a special place in many Christians’ hearts.

Christmas wreath

[Read more…] about Christmas: A Time for Family and Friends

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Christmas Events in Chandler’s Ford 2018

December 6, 2018 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

We are fortunate to have so many concerts, craft fairs, and advent events in and around Chandler’s Ford at Christmas time.

Here are some events that we’ve found and shared. If you know of more events, do let us know so that we could share them with the Chandler’s Ford community.

[Read more…] about Christmas Events in Chandler’s Ford 2018

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Christmas – A Time for Families?

December 3, 2018 By Churches Together in Chandler's Ford Leave a Comment

Churches Together in Chandler's Ford

This article is written by David Gurr, of St Francis Church, on behalf of Chandler’s Ford Churches Together (CFCT). You can find Church Services in Chandler’s Ford for Christmas 2018 on the CFCT page.

***

As Christmas approaches there is often a debate in our communities about the place of religion and faith amidst all the presents and feasting. Central stage for Christians is the birth of Jesus into a family with Mary and Joseph. Also central stage is the conversation piece of “are the family coming for Christmas?” or “are you going to the family?” [Read more…] about Christmas – A Time for Families?

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Easter Message from the Rev. Peter Cornick: Christ is Alive!

March 27, 2018 By SO53 News Leave a Comment

The churches of Chandler’s Ford wish you a peaceful and joyous Easter. We will be ‘walking’ with Jesus on his way to the cross and celebrating his resurrection on Easter morning. The churches would warmly welcome you to any of the services and you will find the details at Churches Together in Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about Easter Message from the Rev. Peter Cornick: Christ is Alive!

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Church Services: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Chandler’s Ford 2017

December 24, 2017 By SO53 News 1 Comment

Church Services for Christmas 2017 in Chandler’s Ford. From Churches Together Chandler’s Ford. [Read more…] about Church Services: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Chandler’s Ford 2017

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Christmas – What’s So Special?

December 2, 2017 By Deacon Paul Owen 2 Comments

I was walking along Park Road in Chandler’s Ford earlier in November and overheard a conversation between a mother and her son she’d just picked up from school. The mother told the son that they would put up their Christmas tree that evening. It was another example for me – along with the constant Christmas TV adverts, the endless playing of Christmas music and the Christmas goods in the shops and the Christmas decorations that are pretty much everywhere – that the Christmas festivities seem to start earlier and earlier each year! [Read more…] about Christmas – What’s So Special?

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Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, Christianity, Christmas, church, churches together, community, local interest, religion, St Edward the Confessor, Winchester Road

Easter Message 2017 by Reverend Christine Whitehead

April 13, 2017 By Reverend Christine Whitehead

In a few days Christians all over the world will celebrate Easter. Already the shops are full of a variety of Easter cards, many of which are decorated with beautiful pictures of eggs, bunnies, churches and spring flowers. I offer you instead this lovely photograph of St Martin in the Woods with its lovely Daffodils in the church garden. [Read more…] about Easter Message 2017 by Reverend Christine Whitehead

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Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, Christianity, churches together, community, culture, Easter, education, Hiltingbury, history, religion, St. Boniface Church, St. Martin

Some Christmas Thoughts

December 18, 2016 By Reverend Peter Hutchinson 3 Comments

So, as the old saying goes, “Christmas is upon us and the goose is getting fat” and, to stay in Dickensian vogue, “Bah, Humbug!” Sorry, but I had to get that off my chest! Seriously, I do find Christmas hugely stressful and have often wished that it would simply go away.

As a Clergyman I find that it is a time of high workload, with many additional pressures (as is also the case for so many in the retail trades). [Read more…] about Some Christmas Thoughts

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Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, Christianity, Christmas, church, churches together, community, history, local interest, religion, St Francis Church, tradition, Valley Park

Chandler’s Ford Fryern Funtasia 2016

May 2, 2016 By Janet Williams 5 Comments

Music. Food. Ponies. Dogs. Games. Stalls. Friends. Queen.

Fryern Funtasia this afternoon on the Fryern Recreation Ground was enjoyable.

It’s the 5th Fryern Funtasia event in Chandler’s Ford. The Fryern Funtasia is a community event organised by local volunteers and businesses, with the help of the Chandler’s Ford Parish Council. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Fryern Funtasia 2016

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Tags: brass band, Centrestage Theatre, Chandler's Ford Parish Council, Chandler’s Ford community, charity, churches together, community, Eastleigh Borough Council, event, Fryern Funtasia, Fryern Recreation Ground, fundraising, good neighbours, Methodist Church, music, One Community, photography, Rotary Club, school, social, Thornden Hall

Mission Impossible Accomplished

April 29, 2016 By Pastor Bob Dibb 1 Comment

I have a note in my diary for Thursday 5th May 2016 indicating that is Ascension Day.

This day easily goes without noticing, in fact many diaries don’t even recall it. It’s not one of those major events in the Christian calendar like Christmas or Easter, however it is worth just considering what this day signifies.

Let’s just go back a couple of thousand years. [Read more…] about Mission Impossible Accomplished

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Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, Christianity, churches together, community, culture, Easter, education, history, religion, Velmore Church

50 Things I Like about the Chandler’s Ford Area (Part 2)

April 1, 2016 By Allison Symes 5 Comments

Now for Part 2 of my 50 things to like about the Chandler’s Ford area.

26. David’s Fish Bar

It is a family tradition to have a takeaway and watch a movie on a Friday night. We visit David’s Fish Bar (who regularly offer fish and chip suppers as prizes for various charities raising funds. A delicious prize!). [Read more…] about 50 Things I Like about the Chandler’s Ford Area (Part 2)

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Tags: Barton Peveril College, Chameleon Theatre, Chandler's Ford Good Neighbours, Chandler’s Ford community, churches together, community, Dovetail Centre, Eastleigh, Eastleigh Museum, education, Hursley Road, MDG Players, memory, Methodist Church, One Community, St. Boniface Church, war memorial

Easter Message 2016

March 13, 2016 By Pastor Bob Dibb 3 Comments

You know what it’s like, a bank holiday weekend’s coming up, so how are you going to amuse yourself?

Are you into conspiracy theories?

Maybe you like a thriller, action, international intrigue, even a little of the supernatural.

Easter has it all! [Read more…] about Easter Message 2016

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Tags: Chandler’s Ford community, Christianity, churches together, community, culture, Easter, education, history, religion, Velmore Church
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