THE HAVEN BEACON
for week beginning
Sunday 11th October 2026
Upcoming Worship
Sunday 11th October 2026
St Mary’s 9.30am Service of the Word
St Helen's9.30am Sung Eucharist
St John's11.00am Sung Eucharist
St Helen's3.00pm Pet Blessing Service
Wednesday 14th October 2026
St Mary's10.00am Morning Worship
St Peter's11.00am Prayer Circle
Sunday 18th October 2026
St Mary’s9.30am Sung Eucharist
St Peter's10.00am Sung Eucharist
St John's5.30pm Sung Evensong
Haven Benefice Church Contacts
Priest-in-Charge of the Benefice (Day off: Tuesday)
St Peter's, St John the Baptist & St Helen's Church Safeguarding
Revd Karen Wilson on 07591 240640
Email: revdkarenwilson(at)outlook(dot)com
St Helen's and St Catherine's, St Helens
Sue Whitewck on 01983 568761
St Mary’s Brading
Nigel Elton Walters on 07926 995180 (Church Warden)
Safeguarding - Catherine Davis on 07940 826034
St John’s Yaverland
Andrew Watt on 07488 391691 (Church Warden)
Do check out and like our Facebook page: Haven Churches IOW for all our most up to date news
or find us on A Church Near You
St Catherine's
St Helen's
St John's
St Mary's
St Peter's
To add items to this News Sheet please contact Rev Karen
Welcome to this edition of our community newsletter. Whether you are a regular face at our services or picking up a copy of the Beacon to share with a friend or neighbour who cannot always make it out, I am very glad you are here. Please feel free to pass along your copy—it is a wonderful way to keep our wider community connected!
Paws and Prayers: Upcoming Pet Service: Get ready for a wonderful celebration of God's creation! We are eagerly looking forward to our upcoming Pet Service, where you are invited to bring along your beloved pets for a special celebration and blessing. Sunday 11th October at St Helen’s Church at 3pm.
To keep everyone happy and safe, we kindly ask for a few simple guidelines: Dogs must be kept on leads at all times. Cats and other small creatures should be kept safe and secure in pet carriers.We love the wonderful creatures that God has created to be our companions. Larger animals (The Vicar has blessed horses and sheep before now!) can be met at the porch door and blessed.
Remembering Loved Ones: It is with sadness but with faith in the resurrection, that we share the details for the funerals of two well-loved members of our community: Mrs. Joan Hutchinson: The funeral of the late Mrs. Joan Hutchinson will be held at St. Mary's Church in Brading on 26th October at 12:00 noon. Mr. Kenneth Elderfield: The funeral of the late Mr Kenneth Elderfield will be held on 22nd October at 1:00 PM, also at St. Mary's Church in Brading. May they rest in peace and rise in glory.
Keep your eyes open for news and announcements regarding wonderful community events coming up soon, including: 'Light Up a Life' Services in partnership with Mountbatten Hospice, the Marvellous Mouse Hunt and Candlelight Carol Services.
Speaking of the mouse hunt, the "marvellous church mice" are currently getting their strength up at the Vicarage—mostly by trying to avoid the watchful stares of our dogs! Meanwhile, the Vicarage freezer will soon be filling up with mince pies and homemade sausage rolls... provided someone can find a way to stop Chris from "sampling" them first!
A Fond Farewell to John: We want to offer our deepest and most heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended John's final service as our organist. It was truly wonderful to see so many of his friends, family, and past choir members join us to celebrate his incredible ministry and mark this special milestone. As a token of our appreciation and gratitude for his years of dedication, John was presented with a special gift of two paintings depicting views that he knows and loves so well.
A huge thank you goes out to all of our volunteers whose hard work and dedication behind the scenes made the entire occasion such a warm and memorable celebration. Thank you, John, and thank you to everyone who made the day so unforgettable!
A Visit from Nettlestone Primary School: It was an absolute joy to welcome Year 2 from Nettlestone Primary School to St. Peter's Church recently! The children had a great time hunting for St. Peter's keys and exploring everything related to Harvest. We loved having their energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm fill the church.
‘Just As I Am’ service: Sunday October 25th in the church hall of St Mary’s church in Brading. Join us for 'Just As I Am'—a short, gentle, cafe-style gathering filled with familiar hymns, simple prayers, and short scripture readings. Specially designed for those who find attending standard services difficult due to frailty, illness, or cognitive loss, this friendly space offers a relaxed environment where everyone is welcome exactly as they are. Refreshments will be served—we would love you to join us.
Organ Recital: Our marvellous organist Andrew Cooper will be giving an organ recital in St Helen’s Church on Saturday 24th October at 3.00pm
This will last for about 50 minutes and will be followed by tea and cakes. There will be a retiring collection for church funds
Collect for Sunday 11th October: O God, forasmuch as without you we are not able to please you; mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Post Communion Prayer: Holy and blessed God, you have fed us with the body and blood of your Son and filled us with the Holy Spirit: may we honour you, not only with our lips but in lives dedicated to the service of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Readings: Exodus 32:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14
Sunday 18th October: Brading: Sung Eucharist at 9.30am, Seaview: Sung Eucharist at 10am, Yaverland: Evensong at 5.30pm,
Please do use our website www.havenchurches.org.uk which is updated regularly, to follow all of the news, Revd Karen’s blog and articles from around the benefice.
May The Haven Beacon be a light that keeps us connected, inspired, and rooted in God’s love!
