As we move toward the summer months, many of us will find our routines shifting. Some will travel, some will rest, some will spend more time with family, and some will simply enjoy the slower rhythm that the warmer days bring. Summer has a way of opening our lives a little— I like nothing more than having the windows open wide, (no good if you have hayfever!) doors ajar, longer days, and hearts more ready to notice the world around us.

With that openness often comes the gift of meeting new people. Strangers at church services, visitors passing through Southampton, families exploring the area, or neighbours we’ve not spoken to before. Each encounter is an opportunity—quiet, gentle, and full of possibility.

Scripture reminds us, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Welcoming others is not simply good manners; it is a way of living out the Gospel. It is a way of saying, with our actions as much as our words, that God’s love is wide enough for everyone.

So as summer approaches, may we continue to be a congregation that notices the unfamiliar face, that offers a smile, that makes room alongside us, that says, “You are welcome here.”

We look forward to our evening Summer Praise Service on 12 July 2026, when we welcome friends from near and far and our Southern Fellowship picnic on Southampton Common on Saturday 15 August 2026. May we be people who carry the warmth of Christ into every conversation, every shared moment, every unexpected meeting.

And may we also remember to enjoy the season ourselves—to rest, to laugh, to breathe deeply, to delight in God’s creation. Joy is not a luxury; it is a gift from God, and embracing it renews us for the work we are called to do.

Whether you are travelling or staying close to home, may this summer be a time of blessing for you. May you find refreshment, may you encounter kindness, and may you be a bearer of kindness to others.

In Christian love
Anne