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Rector's monthly letter

Welcome to our new rector

We have received a formal announcement of the appointment of Revd Joe Sweetnam as Rector of the Mid Test Benefice. Joe is currently Associate Priest in Swaythling and has lived in Hampshire all his life. He is delighted to be moving to the Mid Test with his wife Kelly and their three children.

Before being ordained, Joe was an architect, working on projecyts across the south coast. He comes to the Mid Test after serving at Swaythling in Southampton, Valley Park in Chandlers Ford, and Winchester. His passion is to see all people flourish to become the people God wants them to be, and is very much looking forward to starting ministry in the Mid Test.

The Collation/Induction Service for Revd Joe will take place on Wednesday 16 November at 7.30 pm at St Peter's Church, Stockbridge. The person officiating will be the Right Revd Philip Mountstephen, the Bishop of Winchester.

The rectory will be ready after undergoing many improvements (new kitchen, decorated throughout and uneven path renewed). The house will also have steps from the dining room and sitting room to a newly laid patio. All the improvements will be finished by 18 October and David Williams and Michael Woodhall have worked hard to keep this on track.

For October and part of November, we will continue to be supported by the Clerical Registry and the team of lay worship leaders, with Revd Joe commencing his ministry on Sunday 10 November.

We are grateful for the help and support of Acting Bishop Geoff, who has worked with us during the recruitment process and who took a service at Longstock in July, and the Benefice Service in September. He will now return to his retirement, which we hope will be long and fulfilling. We are also most grateful to the Rural Dean, James Pitkin, for his help and advice. Finally, our thanks to the clergy who have helped us during the vacancy, including the retired local vicar, Revd John Rennie, and from the Registry, Revds Matthew Grayshon, Jill Bentall, Sue Kipling, Sue Hobbins, Warwick Heathcote, Peter Brown, David Mapes and also to Tom Benson from the Braishfield Benefice who has helped us on more than one occasion.

The churches have been maintained during the vacancy. Weddings, funerals and baptisms have continued, as has fundraising. Churchwardens are grateful for the help and support from volunteers, turning out for the jobs which needed doing.

Revd Joe will find congregations looking forward to his ministry and growing in faith together, and churches and communities in good heart. We feel blessed that he and his family are joining us.

Maddie Hedley