Church Blog

Hambledon has been very fortunate in its recent history to have a vicar living and working in the village. Even for many who rarely engage with regular worship there has been a sense of belonging to a community that has a spiritual hub and a spiritual lead. Father David was in that role and had been given the additional responsibility of simultaneously managing Soberton and Netown parishes, a task he undertook with enthusiasm almost three years ago. Covid struck as did David’s own poor health and sadly he no longer feels that God wants him to continue parish work. We wish him and his family every blessing as they seek to find a way to use his many talents and serve in pastures new. The [...]

‘From the Vicar’ – Hambledonian April/May 2022 As I write this, the war in Ukraine is in its second week. It is impossible to tell what the situation will be by the time you are reading this. I am sure, however, that we are all hoping for the same outcome – a swift, just, and lasting peace. A wish that applies not only to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, but to all places in the world where there is war and violence. For obvious reasons, the idea of peace has been very much on my mind this Lent. We tend to associate this season of the church’s year with giving something up (I have given up chocolate – feel free to ask me how [...]

FROM THE VICAR At 10:45am on 6th February 1952, it was announced that King George VI had died in his sleep. His eldest daughter, the 25 year old Princess Elizabeth, who was at that moment in Kenya, became Queen Elizabeth II. The main celebrations for Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee are understandably planned for June, when we may hope that the weather might be kinder (and I am sure that our village will play its part to the full!), but it is 6th February on which she reaches the milestone of 70 years as Queen. Never in our nation’s history has the petition in the National Anthem ‘long to reign over us’ been so abundantly answered. Many of us will remember no other monarch. And while [...]

FROM THE VICAR There is something about Christmas which, perhaps more than any other event or time of year, brings people together. Although Christmas itself is a Christian festival, it doesn’t matter what you do or don’t believe – there is room for you, and cause to celebrate during this season. That is a wonderful thing. Of course, Christmas last year was rather different to how many of us would normally have celebrated it. As I write this at the beginning of November, there is still uncertainty about what this winter will bring, and not a little nervousness. But I hope that whatever happens, we will still be able to come together and celebrate in whatever ways we choose. That might still need to be [...]

FROM THE VICAR I don’t know how many of you knew of the computer program ‘Zoom’ this time two years ago. I certainly didn’t. Then the Coronavirus pandemic happened, and we were all under instruction to stay at home as much as possible. As if from nowhere, the popularity of ‘Zoom’ as a way of seeing and speaking to each other through our computers, tablets, and phones really took off. It enabled us to communicate with each other. It helped us to do lots of things in ways we would not have previously imagined, including church services. Of course, it wasn’t without its problems – if the pandemic had a catchphrase, it would probably be “you’re on mute”! As we continued to stay at home, [...]

FROM THE VICAR During my recent illness, I took up running. I had heard many times that it was good for your mental health, so I thought I would give it a go. After all, it doesn’t really cost much to just go out and run. What I had heard was right, it did turn out to be good for my mental health. To my surprise, I have even found myself enjoying it. In all honesty, it might be stretching the truth to call what I do ‘running’. It’s more like a gentle jog, often with a bit of walking thrown in as I tire myself out. I don’t go very fast, and I don’t go very far. You certainly won’t find me entering the [...]