St Leonard’s Church News November 2026

Service held each Sunday at 11am.

For ALL Church matters please first contact:

Rev James Pitkin - jamespitkin@priest.com

340635, Julia Noble  julia@manorfarmpork.co.uk

322497 Clare Durham - sherfieldclare@gmail.com

or 07980 314838

November is a poignant time for everyone.

At St Leonard’s church on 1st November we have our usual 11am Holy Communion service with our Rector James but we also will embrace All Souls day between 4pm – 5pm for a contemplative hour of gentle music as we remember those loved ones who have passed away, recently or longer ago. For my family we think of Dad, Geoff Noble, who died 18 years ago. As I write this I find it startling that so much time has passed. It is very difficult not to miss a loved one but somehow in the church sitting thoughtfully with others seems helpful. In October we have been saddened by the passing of Greta, who delighted us for many years by adorning the church with flowers from her garden and Greta was always quick to smile. We will definitely be thinking of her during that reflective hour. I am sure you have people you would like to remember so please do just drop into the church and sit for a while or light a candle for your loved one, from 2 minutes to an hour, all are welcome.

On Sunday 8th November at 10.45am we host the village Remembrance Sunday service this year with our Curate Yin- Yin who has been training in our benefice for about 18 months now having started at Romsey Abbey. There is something always familiar about the St Leonard’s Remembrance Sunday service, over the years different faces lay the wreaths or say the readings, but Sherfield has always been keen to demonstrate to those with military connections how grateful we are to be living as we do because of their dedication. And long may that last!

We have our Family service at 11am on 15th November with our associate vicar Sara-Jane and at the 11am Morning Prayer Service on 22nd November we welcome Rev Bruce

Kington who now lives in the village preaching for “Christ the King” or we may know it more as “Stir-Up Sunday” when you should stir up your Christmas pudding – east to west

(clockwise) for good luck and make a wish. Stir-Up Sunday gets the name from the Collect (short prayer) for the Sunday before Advent:

“Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of the faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”.

Then at 10.30am on Advent Sunday 29th November - I know where did that time go - we will be joining the rest of our benefice churches of East and West Tytherley, East Dean and Lockerley at St Margaret’s church, Wellow. Advent is the start of the Christian liturgical year as we spend the next four weeks of spiritual preparation and reflection waiting for the arrival of baby Jesus and all that joy to the world the event brings. And yes, we get to do that every year!

Dates for the diary:

Nov 1st - 11am Holy Communion - Rev James Pitkin

Nov 1st - 4pm - 5pm All Souls Day - quiet reflection remembering loved ones - Clare Durham

Nov 7th - 10.30am - 12 noon Coffee Morning

Nov 8th - 10.45am Remembrance Sunday service - Clare Durham and Rev Yin-Yin Bull

Nov 15th - 11am Family service - Rev Sara-Jane Stevens

Nov 22nd - 11am Morning Prayer service - Julia Noble & Rev Bruce Kington

Nov 29th - 10.30am Benefice Communion service at St Margaret's, Wellow

Julia Noble, Churchwarden