Communion at St Swithun's Church with Bishop David

Bishop David Williams will visit St Swithun's on his last official Sunday in the diocese, Sunday 30^th March at 10.00am.   After that date +David will have a short rest before his final service at the Cathedral on Maundy Thursday. Thereafter he heads for Truro and his new role as diocesan bishop.

Sunday 30^th March is Mothering Sunday – a very special Sunday during Lent. It is also a fifth Sunday – one when traditionally we join together at either of our churches. The Kings Worthy churchwardens have kindly agreed that we should make that Sunday a joint service at St Swithun's when +David will be amongst us for the very last time. 

Can I encourage you to plan to be with us for that service? Weather depending, the service will probably start outside as I am hoping that +David will be willing to bless the new porch stone cross and re-dedicate the church after our 7 months' away.

We will continue with our celebrations with coffee and cake after the service.

I'd like to use that service as an opportunity for us to pray for +David as he leaves us, but also to thank him for his many years of faithful service to us and others. 

It is usual in this situation that we express our gratitude by giving a gift – we are arranging a special one for +David, linked to the roof renovation, but I'm hoping that we might also gather up a monetary gift that we give to +David on that day in recognition of his help and support to us in the diocese and in our parishes.

If you'd like to make a contribution to that gift, can you please donate in the usual way and make Geraldine Brown aware that whatever you have given is for this specific purpose.

You can do this electronically or by putting your gift into an envelope marked for +David's leaving gift. If you want to make a BACS payment, please use the following account:

Headbourne Worthy PCC
Nat West Bank
Sort code        55 81 26
Acc no.            00320439
Ref                   Bishop's Gift

Doing this will help us avoid bank charges (which are applicable on transactions into and out of the Kings Worthy PCC account), so we save money!

You can also drop an envelope into the Church office or leave it on the plate at the back of St Mary's or St Swithun's – but please make sure that your envelope is marked 'Bishop David's Leaving Gift'. We will make sure that all gifts are consolidated into one gift that we present on the day.

If you are planning to attend on 30^th March can I invite you to let us know in advance by accepting this invitation or by letting the Church Office know.  Please do this by 15^th March – Thank you!

I am very excited to mark this special occasion together.

With every blessing,
Revd Paul