• The Churn Benefice

    We're seven village churches seeking to love God and neighbour. We welcome you!
     

    Although our buildings must close for the present
    the church continues to be alive and active:

    Click on the Service Tab above for our weekday services!

    You can contact:
    Revds Jason, Louise & John by telephone and email
    and Dawn on the office email.

    We're distributing The Churn, this week's readings, and notices by email.
    Please ask family, friends & neighbours to contact Dawn at office@churnchurches.co.uk if they would like to receive them.

    Take a look at ...

    • our calendar to see what's on this month
    • the notices and events page to find out about our ongoing online events
    • the services page to find out about forthcoming services
    • our resources page to download service materials, reflections, and materials for children and families
    • our community page to find links to information about what's happening locally, and how our communities are supporting people affected by the Coronavirus                                  

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  • Daily Message

    Rector’s Daily Reflections No 46: Tuesday 26th May 2020

    Thought for the Day

    How are things at the moment? Are you finding yourself in need of some rest and relaxation? I have a sense that the current time is particularly stressful for many people. The lockdown has been with us a couple of months by now. Yes, the restrictions are beginning to ease up, but only gradually, and many of them are going to be with us for quite a while yet. It seems harder than ever to keep calm and keep patient. I’m sure we all have loved ones living elsewhere who we’d love to see - but can’t. It’s all very frustrating.

    I happened to be reading a document about schools, and how we can support our schools during these difficult times. It included a section on well-being, which stated that “neuroscience has shown that being in a “green” space has a positive impact on mood”. Unfortunately, it did not provide a link to research which supported the statement, but it seems to make sense: green space is good for us. I was intrigued by the inverted commas in the quote – “green” space, rather than green space. I think the writer was indicating that they intended greenspace in the figurative rather than literal sense.

    But it’s got me thinking. I find space that is literally green particularly restful. In my daily walks, I love seeing the variety of greens in the hedgerows and tress all around us. Lime greens, dark greens, brownish greens, shiny greens – I wouldn’t be surprised if there were a hundred different sorts of green in the world around us. I wonder why I find the greens of the natural world so relaxing, so re-assuring? Perhaps because green reminds me of new life – the new growth of spring and early Summer.

    For me, new life is what God is all about. God brings new life into our world, new beginnings, new hopes, fresh adventures. God is about hope for the future. We all experience painful limitations in our lives, but God gives us a picture of life beyond these limitations. The future belongs to God, and this keeps us anchored in hope.

    Prayer for Today

    Lord,
    we thank you for those times and places which help to calm us down.
    In our worries and frustrations,
    help us to trust that you love us,
    and help us to look to the future with the eyes of hope. Amen.

    View the 'Daily Message' for this month

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  • Safeguarding in the Churn Benefice
    The Churn Benefice is committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of the children and people of all ages in our church communities.
    In the first instance questions relating to Safeguarding concerns and support should be addressed to the Rector : The Revd Jason St. John Nicolle, The Benefice Centre, Church End, Blewbury, OX11 9QH, 01235 850267, office@churnchurches.co.uk
    Click here for link to the Safeguarding Policys

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