As you will have read last month, Kate is leaving for her new appointment on February 8th. She will be leading the Service at St Mary’s at 10.30 (no Service at St Alban‘s that morning), and then there will be a Parish Lunch in the Hall afterwards.

I hope as many people as possible will be there to express our thanks for her ministry here, and to pray for her as she takes the next step on the journey.

That same afternoon, Gary is being installed as an Honorary Canon of the Cathedral. Anyone who would like to is welcome to attend Evensong in Winchester at 3.30p.m. - no tickets are needed. If you need a lift, do ask, and there may well be someone else who can give you one.

One week later, on February 15th, John Owen, Rector of North Stoneham and Bassett, will be leaving that Parish to move to the Parish of Steep, near Petersfield, in Portsmouth Diocese.

Bassett is part of the Covenant, and we have enjoyed John’s ministry during his time here. We wish him and his family every blessing for their move Eastwards. Gary, as Area Dean, along with the Churchwardens of North Stoneham and Bassett, will become responsible for the Parish during the Vacancy.

The process to appoint at new Priest-in-Charge has already begun, and we (especially Gary!) hope the vacancy will not be too long. There is also a vacancy in Bitterne Parish at the moment, and the process to fill that post is also under way.

The Mission Coffee Mornings have got off to a good start again this year. There are posters in Church, if you can think of anywhere to publicise the Coffee Mornings. In February we shall meet on Wednesday, February 18th, at 10.30a.m. at St Alban’s, in support of the Friends International Worker supported by the Covenant. Do come if you can, or use the Mission Donation Envelope if you can't.

Gary Philbrick