More than 100 people celebrated East Solent & Downs Circuit’s 12^th birthday on Sunday 14 September.

They enjoyed a lunch followed by a special church service, where Elize Goddess was also welcomed as Superintendent, at Hart Plain Church in Waterlooville.

A number of special guests attended the event including the Chair of East Hampshire District Council, Councillor Graham Hill, and his wife Mrs. Britt Hill; The Worshipful the Deputy Mayor of Fareham, Councillor Mrs Tina Ellis, and the Deputy Mayor’s Consort Mr Robert Ellis; and The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson CBE, and the Lady Mayoress Helena Cole.

The welcome service was led by Southampton District Chair Rev’d Rachel Bending and you can watch her address, incorporated into our Digital Church programme, by clicking here .

Each of the 18 churches in the circuit was given an envelope containing jigsaw pieces to bring to the event and, over the course of lunch, they were invited to put them together to form an image of all of the circuit’s churches – illustrating that the circuit isn’t complete without every church and we all have a part to play in making the circuit a vibrant one that reflects the love of God to those it comes into contact with.