Bitterne United Reformed Church – Summer News, Worship & Community Life

The July–August 2026 edition of Outlook is full of summer events, celebrations, and opportunities to connect as Bitterne URC continues its 40th Anniversary year. With worship, outreach, festivals, and fellowship across the Southern Fellowship, this issue captures the heart of our busy and welcoming church family.

Key Highlights This Summer

• Church Diary: A packed programme including Wednesday Worship, Community Lunch, Senior Citizens activities, Bible Study, Girls’ Brigade Camp, Summer Praise Service, and the Southern Fellowship picnic on Southampton Common.
• Message from an Elder: A reflection on hospitality, summer rhythms, and welcoming strangers with Christ‑like warmth. “Welcoming others is not simply good manners; it is a way of living out the Gospel.”
• Church Family Prayer: Thanksgiving for recovery, prayers for those facing illness, and encouragement for young people awaiting exam results.
• Community Lunch: First Thursday of the month, £6 for a main and dessert. No lunch in August; returning 3rd September.
• Summer Praise Service: Tea, cake, and joyful worship on 12 July.
• Four Charities Tea: A community fundraiser on 8 August supporting local and national charities.
• Southern Fellowship Events: Coffee mornings, flower festivals, art exhibitions, concerts, and the Romsey Festival programme.
• Eco Tips from A Rocha UK:
  • July: Reducing microplastics during laundry.
  • August: Helping wildlife during hot, dry weather.
• Women’s Group: A lively visit from Richie the Hearing Dog and an inspiring talk on how trained dogs transform the lives of deaf people.
• Girls’ Brigade Camp: A fun‑filled Swanage adventure with fireworks, beach trips, crafts, and fellowship. Support invited through ice‑cream donations, postcards, and fundraising links.
• The Leprosy Mission: An update on global work in Mumbai and Bangladesh, including early‑diagnosis research and compassionate outreach through the Karuna Project.
• BIG CLEAR OUT: A whole‑church decluttering project planned to reorganise storage and refresh our spaces.
• Jigsaw Festival Prep: Weekly Wednesday sessions to help complete puzzles ahead of October’s Jigsaw Festival.
• Volunteering Opportunities:
  • Summer Fair helpers and raffle prizes
  • Bible readers for Sunday services
  • Care & Connect Café volunteers for the new dementia‑friendly carers café launching January 2027