News and notices from across the benefice
CIRDIC update from Lynn Smith
I dropped the donations left at St Stephens to CIRDIC Monday morning and had a catch up and chat with some of the people outside. Apart from the many “regulars” I speak to I’ve noticed over the last few months that there are more younger people who’ve been using the centre – a sad sign of the times – but how wonderful it is that CIRDIC is there.
I asked the centre manager if they had anything (alongside the usual things they need) that they are in particular need of over the next couple of weeks - and they have a special request for :
men’s spray deodorant (not roll on),
men’s underpants,
large disposable paper coffee cups, and
takeaway containers.
We would like to wish you all a happy, peaceful and above all safe Christmas. We know it is a very different Christmas to the one we were hoping to have – particularly in our churches.
The churchwardens of Aldworth and Ashampstead have felt that in the light of the danger of the mutating virus and Tier 4 restrictions that they should close St Mary’s and St Clement’s for services over Christmas but we are so fortunate in the benefice in having a modern church at Basildon which is more flexible and safe.
So we are delighted that, as well as the many virtual services on offer, we are able to have two 'in-person' services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Please make sure you contact 01491 672442 if you would like to come to these as numbers regrettably have to be restricted.
We do hope we shall see you, either virtually, or in person over the Christmas season – all services and links are listed
It is with enormous regret that we have taken the difficult decision to cancel the Carol Service at St Clement’s today. We just feel that in the light of the danger of the mutating virus and Tier 4 restrictions that it is our responsibility to make sure that everyone remains as safe as possible.
We have also decided to cancel the Christmas morning Holy Communion service. Aldworth has made the same decision as we both feel that it will be virtually impossible to make both our churches which are old totally covid-secure.
There are a number of online services taking place, notably we have a zoom Benefice Holy Communion service on Christmas Day which will be led by Juliet Straw. The Diocese is also providing a number of services and there will be many on the radio too. We will circulate details of all of these to you in the next few days.
We would also like to reassure you that St Clement’s will remain open for private prayer. St Clement’s has been beautifully decorated and all the Christmas stars are being blessed and hung this morning – a wonderful way of remembering all those we shall sadly be unable to see this Christmas. Do come and see them and say a prayer..
Were they the first Christmas carols?
Join our Local Discussion Group looking at Luke's Christmas songs, on Wednesday evenings.
It will be on Zoom, so you can see it on computer or smart phone, or you can listen to it on your phone.
Jonathan, Mike and Rosemary will lead the discussion and there will be opportunity for you to join in.
Join us at 7:50 for 8 p.m. each Wednesday for about 30 minutes.
Join the Zoom Meeting by clicking on this url just before 8.00 pm:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84867831877?pwd=WDNBTWV3SHpZNnFHdVZ0alFIS3kvdz09
In case you need it - meeting ID: 848 6783 1877 and Password: 379081
We can be back in our church buildings tomorrow to celebrate the second Sunday in Advent. There will be music but no congregational singing.
At St Stephen's we'll be looking for a volunteer to light the candles! It will be a short service - families welcome! Come and help light the candles on our Advent wreath as we remember the preparations which God made for the coming of his Son into the world.
Lord Jesus you are the true light that gives light to everyone:
At this Advent season, as we prepare ourselves for Christmas, may we receive you again in our hearts, renew our belief in your name, and remember that you give us the right to become children of God.
Lord Jesus, you are the Word become flesh, you made your home among us:
At this Advent season as we prepare ourselves for Christmas, may we once more be ready to see your glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
based on John 1:9-14
We gather at 8.30am for a short said communion service using the words of the wonderful Book of Common Prayer. The service will include a short sermon, and plenty of time to pray, reflect and encounter God in this wonderful place. What a brilliant way to begin a Sunday - especially as there is coffee and biscuits served afterwards.
We join together for a short interactive family worship service. Lots of fun! Action songs, Bible readings, dressing up, toys and we finish with yummy refreshments. Bacon butties, posh omelettes, pastries and much more.Lots of Holy Chaos. Come join the fun.
This is a fabulous way to round off the weekend. We gather together in the atmospheric St. Mary’s Aldworth to pray and worship together using the traditional and powerful words of Evensong from the Book of Common Prayer. We have a small community choir to help us sing God’s praise. There is a short sermon with prayers and psalms. If you are looking for a spiritual encounter with the Lord in the comfort of a traditional service - this is for you.
A short said service of Holy Communion using the tradition Book of Common Prayer format. We enjoy a said service this week, with scriptures, prayers and a sermon. A perfect way to begin a Sunday morning in worship.
This week we gather for a Family Communion service with short readings and sermon, plus some well known hymns. Bring the whole family as we gather around the Lord’s table. We look forward to seeing you.
Join us at 10am as we host our Christingle Service with special performances from Basildon Primary School. We will build the Christingles as part of our service and enjoy some delicious refreshments afterwards. Absolutely everybody welcome.
We gather at 8.30am for a short said communion service using the words of the wonderful Book of Common Prayer. The service will include a short sermon, and plenty of time to pray, reflect and encounter God in this wonderful place. What a brilliant way to begin a Sunday - especially as there is coffee and biscuits served afterwards.
An informal and friendly service where we sing worship songs, hear the inspiring words of Scripture and pray for one another and the needs of the world. We enjoy a short talk and we welcome children and families to be fully part of the service. After the service we enjoy wonderful refreshments which are always yummy!
This is a fabulous way to round off the weekend. We gather together in the atmospheric St. Mary’s Aldworth to pray and worship together using the traditional and powerful words of Evensong from the Book of Common Prayer. We have a small community choir to help us sing God’s praise. There is a short sermon with prayers and psalms. If you are looking for a spiritual encounter with the Lord in the comfort of a traditional service - this is for you.
Join us at The Bell Pub in Aldworth at 5pm as we sing some classic Christmas Carols as well as enjoy some refreshments! Everybody welcome for a fun filled afternoon!
We’re all invited to begin the Jubilee weekend by lighting an official jubilee beacon on Thursday 2nd June.
Join us as we welcome our new Curate to the Benefice for a garden party at The Vicarage, Upper Basildon. Jen’s first services across the Benefice will be on the 3rd July 2022, so join us in the afternoon as we properly welcome her to Basildon, Ashampstead and Aldworth.
Join us for a wonderful evening concert in the company of the Aldworth Giant’s. Saturday 30th July 7pm.
We are delighted to announce that Reverend Grant Fensome is joining us as our new Vicar early in 2021. He will be licensed by the Bishop of Reading on Tuesday 2nd February. We will circulate more information about his licensing in due course.
Grant is currently Curate in the Parish of Broxbourne with Wormley in Hertfordshire and is very excited at the prospect of his ministry with us. He is married to Naomi and has a young daughter Bethany who will be going to Sparklers Preschool in Basildon. They plan to move into the Vicarage during January.
15th November 2020
Grant’s letter to the Benefice
Hello everybody,
I wished to send a quick message to you all on this exciting day. My family and I can’t wait to come and join you in the New Year. We are looking forward to getting to know you all, but in the meantime here is a little flavour of Fensome life.
