Weekly News

The Third Sunday after Trinity - 21st June 2026

Dear all

Writing this on Thursday – in 34 degree heat – our Gospel reading from Matthew is spectacularly appropriate! In the passage we hear of Jesus speaking of welcome: welcoming one another, welcoming the stranger, welcoming the presence of God revealed in unexpected people and simple acts of kindness, like a cup of cold water. Christ reminds us that no gesture of compassion is too small to matter in God’s kingdom. Here, we celebrate a generous God whose love reaches beyond every boundary and whose grace embraces all. May we deepen our awareness of God’s presence among us and renew our commitment to love and serve the world God so deeply cherishes. Welcome to worship.

There is information for the coming week below  as well as general church notices and prayer intentions and I would encourage you to take a look at all that is on offer. 

This Sunday there will be five services  in the benefice:

    8.30am - Holy Communion, Farnborough

    9.30am - Eucharist, Beedon

    9.30am - Family Service, Winterbourne

 11.00am - Morning Prayer, Stockcross

    4.00pm - Pet Service, Peasemore

Next Sunday - 5th July -  the services will be:

    8.30am - Holy Communion, Beedon

    9.30am - Eucharist, Chieveley

    9.30am - Eucharist, Peasemore

 11.00am - Family Service & Baptism, West Ilsley

 11.00am - Eucharist, Boxford

    6.00pm - Evensong, Farnborough

Every Wednesday there is a service of Holy Communion in St Mary's, Chieveley at 10.30am which is followed by coffee. 

Sermons from Douglas and Bishop Mary are available by following this link, and there are news items and dates for your diary on the website and the pew sheet including details of further fundraising events.

Please do also encourage others to keep in touch with what is going on by signing up to these updates. Just forward this email or cut and paste the following link and send it to them: 

https://mailchi.mp/d58d3b280189/east-downland-sign-up

For now, as always, all the best and God bless

                      John