Boldre and South Baddesley Benefice including St Mary the Virgin, South Baddesley, St John the Baptist, Boldre and St Nicholas, Pilley

| HOME |  St John's | St Mary's | St Nicholas | Weddings | Funerals | Baptisms | Confirmations | Affirmation of Faith  |

Bishop of Southampton Visits
St Mary's South Baddesley

The Right Reverend Jonathan Frost, Bishop of Southampton was welcomed by the Vicar of St Mary's, Revd. Lynda Mead to probably one of his smallest churches, set in the New Forest at South Baddesley.

It may be small but the Bishop enjoyed a warm welcome and an appreciative congregation for his very accessible sermon on being alert and watchful.

He shared that he had been given by a child at his morning service, a drawing of a "Big Ship" as she had thought that was what was meant when told the "Bishop" was arriving, and Bishop Jonathan cleverly wove this into his advent sermon at St Mary's.

The evensong service, led by John Vernon, was one shared by the group of  Churches at Brockenhurst, Boldre, Sway and South Baddesley and the choir led by organist Leo Gibb, sang the anthem "Rain Down Justice" which again was picked up by the Bishop in leading thoughts towards inequality, injustice and what one can do as Christians especially at this time.

After the service, over coffee, many of the congregation including Revd Neil Smart of Brockenhurst and Revd Frank Willett of Boldre, were able to talk with the Bishop.   St Mary's Parish Priest - Revd. Lynda Mead was pleased to hear that Bishop Jonathan had actually come to her church before during the day as it is always open between 9am and 4pm and no doubt visited the Prayer Corner recently developed by Lynda.

St Mary's has many services over the Christmas period to which all are very welcome; it starts with the "Christingle" at 3pm Sunday the 11th , popular with the children, as is the Crib service at 4pm on Saturday the 24th. Midnight mass on Christmas Eve and the Christmas day service are always well supported. 

The 9 lessons and carols will take place at 6.30pm on the 1st January. It is hoped that the new top of the pop's singer "Birdy" may be again encouraged to sing the first verse of "Once in Royal", as she has done in previous years, as her Grandfather, Lord Teynham,  is the patron of St Mary's church and this is where her family worship.