Weekly Newsletter 10th November

Dear Friends,

As we enter into the season and Sunday of Remembrance, please do join us as we recall those who have lost their lives in war. As war in Europe persists in Ukraine, join us to pray for those currently fighting and to re-commit ourselves to peace.

There will be a short act of remembrance at the Basildon War Memorial on Armistice Day - Friday 11th November at 10:50am. All are welcome to join us.

This Sunday each of our churches will hold Remembrance Services beginning at 10:50am. Please join us as we remember the sacrifices made and the lives lost.

God Bless,

Grant

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SERVICES THIS WEEKEND

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EVENTS & UPCOMING

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Services Next Week

Weekly Newsletter 3rd November

Dear Friends,

Many of you will know that St. Clement’s church Ashampstead is currently undergoing some significant renovations both inside and out. The project is all about protecting and preserving the chancel from rising damp issues. We are pleased with the current progress and thought I could share a few photos with you all.

Below you can see a before shot of the Altar alongside a few current shots of its protective wrapping, and the machinery and grounds works going on in the graveyard. It’s such a privilege to look after this magnificent building as part of our Benefice. We will keep you updated on the progress throughout the renovations.

This whole project has reminded me that just like our old beautiful buildings, each of us need a little maintenance every now and again. We need refreshment, we need repairing, we need restoring. The scriptures remind us continually of the work of the Holy Spirit, renewing and restoring us into His image. Life’s struggles can dissipate the joy from us - even from the most positive person. Pile one struggle on top of another, and we can easily become trapped under the weight of despair. God’s promise for restoration doesn’t only apply to our physical strength, but our spirits as well. Join us this Sunday to hear something of God’s promise of restoration, God’s love for you and the hope we can live with now.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit. (Psalm 51:12)

Love,

Grant

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EVENTS & UPCOMING

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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Weekly Newsletter 22nd October

Dear Friends,

I hope this brief update finds you well. Do please join us tomorrow for our usual Sunday services. All the details are below and we’d be absolutely delighted to see you.

A reminder that next week, 30th October, falls on the 5th Sunday of the month. We take the opportunity of a 5th Sunday to join together as a whole benefice, and so, next weekend the benefice communion service will be at St. Mary’s, Aldworth at 10am. Please do come along if you can - it is wonderful when we gather as a big family of God.

Finally, at 6pm on Sunday 30th at St. Stephen’s we are holding a special service called ‘Kept in our hearts’. This is a particularly special service where we can give thanks, remember and continue to mourn those whom we miss in our lives. Whether you have been grieving a while or your loss is more recent, the pain of losing someone is a difficult weight to carry. We’ll gather for a service of prayer, thanksgiving and reflection where we can remember our loved ones before God and light a candle in their memory. If you know of somebody experiencing grief, please do invite them to come along with you.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Love,

Grant

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EVENTS & UPCOMING

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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

NEXT WEEK’S SERVICES

Weekly Newsletter 13th October

“God calls each and every star by name. It’s not likely He has forgotten yours.”
― Louie Giglio

Dear Friends,

This week I came across the above quote by Louis Giglio which reminds us how precious we are to God. With the trials and challenges of life we can often feel distant from God and perhaps like He has abandoned us. We’re reminded through the scriptures that God placed each and every star in its place and called it by name - he cherishes them, and carefully places them. The same is true for us, God has called us into being, he has placed us within our own situations, and is with us and cherishes us - even more than the stars. It’s a wonderful reminder that He has not forgotten you, in fact he delights in and loves you, he deeply cares and contends for you no matter how well you know Him, or how ‘good’ we have been. The whole point of Christmas and the Cross is that Jesus, God’s Son, came for you and for me. It’s not likely He has forgotten you!

Do join in with any of the services this weekend and events coming up - we’d love to see you.

God bless,

Grant

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EVENTS & UPCOMING

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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Weekly Newsletter 6th October

Dear friends,

Thank you

This week I would like to thank everybody who supported our Macmillan coffee morning last Friday which was a huge success. The morning, brilliantly organised by Cate Statham, and a whole team of helpers, raised around £1100 for this most excellent cause. Thank you to everybody who came and ate plenty of cake and donated plenty of cash!

We have also had some wonderful gifts and donations of food and personal care items given at our harvest festivals across the villages and communities this past week. Needless to say that these items will make such a huge difference to the health and wellbeing of many individuals in our area. Thank you so much. We shall ensure they are passed on immediately.

Our wonderful Church Primary School has an open day, tomorrow 7th October, for the whole community so please do see the details below if you’d like to go.

Finally, you’re invited to join us this weekend for any of our services. Come sit and eat as George Herbert said:

Love (III)

Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back,
            Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
            From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning
            If I lacked anything.

"A guest," I answered, "worthy to be here":
            Love said, "You shall be he."
"I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,
            I cannot look on thee."
Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,
            "Who made the eyes but I?"

"Truth, Lord; but I have marred them; let my shame
            Go where it doth deserve."
"And know you not," says Love, "who bore the blame?"
            "My dear, then I will serve."
"You must sit down," says Love, "and taste my meat."
            So I did sit and eat.

SERVICES THIS WEEKEND

We livestream a 10am service each week. Though we have had a break from this during the summer. Please click here to visit our channel to see previous services and events

What’s on this week

Next week’s services

Prayer Points

Please do continue to pray for the continued conflict in Ukraine.

Please do continue to pray for the Royal family and King Charles as they continue to mourn the death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

Please pray for those who are currently ill with covid. May they be protected and restored quickly.

Please pray for those who are undergoing treatment or scans for cancer at the moment. As we also give thanks for the wonderful carers and teams such as Macmillan who love and serve those living with the sickness.

Please continue to pray for those we know and love who are at this time unwell or recovering from various illnesses or operations.

Please pray for those within our villages who have lost loved ones recently.

If you would like something to appear in this newsletter please don't hesitate to get in touch with me.

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Weekly Newsletter 29th September

Dear friends,

Tomorrow morning you are invited to join us for a Macmillan coffee morning as we raise money and awareness to support those living with cancer. Bring a friend, enjoy some wonderful homemade cakes and a cup of something warm. We’ll be open from 9am - 12noon at St. Stephen’s Upper Basildon. If you can’t make it but would still like to donate, please do so through the link here:

After kick starting Harvest celebrations so wonderfully at Aldworth last Sunday, we continue with our wonderful Harvest Festival celebrations across the benefice this weekend:

10am at St. Stephens Basildon for a Harvest Bacon Butty Sunday. More details below.

11am at St. Clement’s Ashampstead for our Harvest Festival service followed by Harvest Lunch in the village hall. Details below.

Please do bring any harvest gifts of food or tinned produce to the services or churches beforehand and we will give thanks to God before distributing them to local charities and food banks.

Look forward to seeing you.

Love,

Grant

SERVICES THIS WEEKEND

We livestream a 10am service each week. Though we have had a break from this during the summer. Please click here to visit our channel to see previous services and events

What’s on this week

Next week’s services

Prayer Points

Please do continue to pray for the continued conflict in Ukraine. Many families are settling locally so do please pray for inspiration and wisdom how best to serve and welcome them during this time.

Please do continue to pray for the Royal family and King Charles as they continue to mourn the death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

Please pray for those who are currently ill with covid. May they be protected and restored quickly.

Please continue to pray for those we know and love who are at this time unwell or recovering from various illnesses or operations.

Please do pray for those who are seeking and enquiring after God at this time.

Please pray for those within our villages who have lost loved ones recently.

If you would like something to appear in this newsletter please don't hesitate to get in touch with me.

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Weekly Newsletter 22nd September

Dear friends,

A new era has begun.

After the emotions of the past few weeks I hope you managed to watch the funeral of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth. If the music, the words, the prayers, liturgy, symbolism and the whole event touched you in some way and you have any questions about Her Majesty’s faith then please do not hesitate to come along to any of the churches and find out more. We would be delighted to see you.

Onwards to this week: It is Harvest time! Let’s plough the fields and scatter!

This weekend we are beginning our Harvest Festivals in Aldworth. This year in Aldworth we are supporting the Women’s Refuge in Newbury so please do bring any donations of food and toiletries to the church so we can pass them on to those in need. We’ll be celebrating the Harvest and our God’s goodness in a Harvest Festival Evensong at 6pm in St Mary’s and you are very welcome to join us.

Ashampstead and Basildon Harvest Festivals will be next weekend, 2nd October, please do bring any tinned donations to the churches so we can bless them and pass these onto local food banks and charities who need them at this time. There is a harvest lunch organised in Ashampstead after the service with delicious homemade soup and bread so see below for more details and how to let us know your coming.

Final thing to draw your attention to is the Macmillan coffee morning happening at St. Stephen’s Basildon next week, 30th September. Bring a friend, enjoy some coffee and cakes, and help us raise some funds for those who are living with cancer. Please do pass this round far and wide, we’d love to make a significant impact.

Look forward to seeing you soon.

Love,

Grant

The Benefice Weekly Newsletter

SERVICES THIS WEEKEND

We livestream a 10am service each week. Though we have had a break from this during the summer. Please click here to visit our channel to see previous services and events

What’s on this week

Upcoming Events:

Next week’s services

Prayer Points

Please do continue to pray for the continued conflict in Ukraine. Many families are settling locally so do please pray for inspiration and wisdom how best to serve and welcome them during this time.

Please do continue to pray for the Royal family and King Charles as they continue to mourn the death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

Please pray for those who are currently ill with covid. May they be protected and restored quickly.

Please continue to pray for those we know and love who are at this time unwell or recovering from various illnesses or operations.

Please do pray for those who are seeking and enquiring after God at this time.

Please pray for those within our villages who have lost loved ones recently.

If you would like something to appear in this newsletter please don't hesitate to get in touch with me.

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Weekly Newsletter 31th August

Dear friends,

Thank you

As a benefice of three churches we entering a season of gratitude. Primarily to God, yes, but also to friends who support the life and worship of the churches, and to those who have been involved in ministry over the years.

On 4th September at Ashampstead we will be thanking people who are actively involved in supporting the church in a wide variety of ways.

On 6th September at Basildon we will be thanking God for the people and ministers who have held the title Vicar and developed the life and worship of our church over many decades, some of whom will be coming to join us.

Then, towards the end of the month and moving into October, we will be thanking God for the harvest which he has continually provided for us. There is so much to be thankful for.

We’re at an increasingly worrying time within our society at the moment with our plethora of crises: energy crisis, environmental crisis, hate crime and identity crisis, health crisis, political crisis, policing, education, media etc. etc. etc. Therefore, it is especially important to take a moment and give thanks for the things that we do enjoy in our lives and even for the ways in which the difficult times produce in us some goodness. One of my favourite authors C. S Lewis once said, “We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is good, because it is good, if bad, because it works in us patience, humility and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country.” Lewis is of course echoing the wonderful words of Scripture “Give thanks in all circumstances” 1 Thessalonians.

We know that all of us will feel the impact of the current rise in cost of living, and that this winter may be a cause of great worry. If we can help at all in any way, please do get in touch.

Below is one of the first Christian songs I was introduced to all about giving thanks which has remained a favourite of mine, perhaps you might enjoy it too.

God bless you!

Love,

Grant

The Benefice Weekly Newsletter

SERVICES THIS WEEKEND

We livestream a 10am service each week. Though we have had a break from this during the summer. Please click here to visit our channel to see previous services and events

What’s on this week

Upcoming Events:

Next week’s services

Prayer Points

Please do continue to pray for the continued conflict in Ukraine. Many families are settling locally so do please pray for inspiration and wisdom how best to serve and welcome them during this time.

Please pray for the new school term starting this coming week. For the teachers, staff, students all to settle into the new routines easily.

Please pray for those who are currently ill with covid. May they be protected and restored quickly.

Please pray for the NHS continuing to serve the nation with tiredness and fatigue featuring heavily.

Please continue to pray for those we know and love who are at this time unwell or recovering from various illnesses or operations.

Please pray for those within our parishes who have lost loved ones recently.

Please pray for those who are enjoying holidays and breaks this summer. After the difficulties of the past few years, we pray that true rest will be found.

If you would like something to appear in this newsletter please don't hesitate to get in touch with me.

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Weekly Newsletter 17th August

Dear friends,

Rain Rain Rain

In my Christian lifetime I don’t ever remember praying for rain so much as I have done recently. The prolonged hot and dry weather has been difficult to deal with at points, but very enjoyable at other times too. This has been my second experience of drought and so, as expected, I have been praying for rain to fall. We have had a few little bursts but not nearly enough as yet. Scripture is full of references to rain. Right from the very beginning of creation, the waters which come from heaven have been understood as important for nurturing and refreshing new growth. In Isaiah we see a great encouragement between the role of rain and the role of God’s Word:

As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11)

So, as we have had a little rain, bringing refreshment to the ground, nature, wildlife (though there is more to come) perhaps now is also a good time to pick up a Bible and read some of God’s story too. His word can refresh you with love and hope. It can strengthen you with faith and grace. I find that when I read it, I am thirsty for more and more.

If you don’t have a Bible, let me know. I’d love to gift you one! You never know what might grow if you read it too.

If you have questions about life, faith, Christianity, the Bible or anything else, we are running an Alpha course this September to provide space for those questions, with no strings attached. There is a teaser video below with adventurer Bear Grylls. Do get in touch for more details or to sign up!

God bless you!

Love,

Grant

The Benefice Weekly Newsletter

SERVICES THIS WEEKEND

We livestream a 10am service each week. Though we have had a break from this during the summer. Please click here to visit our channel to see previous services and events

What’s on this week

Upcoming Events:

Next week’s services

Prayer Points

Please do continue to pray for the continued conflict in Ukraine. Many families are settling locally so do please pray for inspiration and wisdom how best to serve and welcome them during this time.

Please pray for the families whose homes have been damaged due to fires in Basildon recently.

Please pray for the couples who are planning to get married in our churches, or from our villages this year. Some of whom have rescheduled quite a few times!

Please pray for those who are currently ill with covid. May they be protected and restored quickly.

Please pray for the NHS continuing to serve the nation with tiredness and fatigue featuring heavily.

Please continue to pray for those we know and love who are at this time unwell or recovering from various illnesses or operations.

Please pray for those within our parishes who have lost loved ones recently.

Please pray for those who are enjoying holidays and breaks this summer. After the difficulties of the past few years, we pray that true rest will be found.

If you would like something to appear in this newsletter please don't hesitate to get in touch with me.

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