By now most of you will be aware that our vicar James Croft is leaving the benefice of Froyle and Holybourne. James and his family are going to Derbyshire and he will take his last service in Froyle sometime in August.
In the meantime there lies ahead a busy summer with christenings, weddings and blessings at our Church.

With James leaving, Holybourne goes in the direction of Alton to join the Churches there and Froyle joins Bentley and Binsted in the hunt for a vicar to cover all three parishes.

Froyle Church is holding its annual Jumble Sale on Saturday 15th May in the Village Hall. Doors open at 2pm. Margaret Stanford is running the raffle

We do need help in the morning with sorting and setting up and the selling in the afternoon. Can you help us? There will be all the usual stalls: bric-a-brac, books, toys and of course, teas. Give me a call is you can help, even for an hour. Thank you.

Last month, on Sunday 31st January it was announced at all services in the Benefice of Froyle and Holybourne that I had accepted a new appointment as Priest-in-Charge of Chesterfield, SS Augustine and Priest-in-Charge of St Mark Brampton within the Diocese of Derby and that I will be leaving Froyle this summer.
As I said in Church on the day, I made the announcement with a mixture of sadness and excitement, sadness after thirteen years living and ministering amongst you but excitement as well as I move to a very different kind of ministry. This is to serve as a Priest in an urban environment where there is much challenging social need. After twenty years as a Priest working in, and, very much enjoying, rural/semi-rural ministry, I felt over some period of time that I was very much being called to a different kind of parish work. I would very much appreciate your thoughts and prayers as Jenny and I and the family prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.
I am very aware that my forthcoming move now resolves Pastoral Reorganisation issues that have “hung in the air” over the Benefice for many years now. I am equally aware that the last two years, as Pastoral Re-organisation has proceeded apace, have been a time of uncertainty for many, especially for those actively involved in the life of our two churches. In some isolated cases this has resulted in extreme frustration, even anger. I regret this but equally I would like to thank people for their patience and their support of me personally during this difficult time of impending change.
So, when I am licensed and take up the new post, subject to the Pastoral Scheme continuing to proceed smoothly, Froyle will become part of a new Benefice of Binsted, Bentley and Froyle and Holybourne will join the new Parish of the Resurrection, Alton already in covenant with the Alton Methodist Church. As I prepare to leave I will endeavour to keep you informed of the handover arrangements.

I will, of course continue to hold you all in my prayers as you face new and exciting futures.