• 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 49: Friday 29th May 2020

    Thought for the Day

    I think we are fortunate in this area of the country to enjoy such a variety of landscape – the river Thames, of course, the low-lying fields of the Vale, the escarpment of the Downs, and the Downs themselves. I was driving south along the A34 this morning, coming from the Marcham interchange, and there on the horizon you could see the Downs in all their glory. They looked reassuringly stable and ancient.

    There is a short poem in the bible which starts with an invitation to look at the hills. It’s known as Psalm 121, and begins with the line: “I lift up my eyes to the hills; from where is my help to come?” The reply to the question is given in the next line: “My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth”. The poem is about re-assurance. It reminds us that as we travel through life, we do not do so alone. God is there, keeping watch over us, protecting us. God’s care is constant, and everlasting. We might not be aware of God’s presence, but He’s there anyway. The poem ends with the line: “The Lord shall keep watch over your going out and your coming in, from this time forth for evermore”.

    Some of our journeys in life are in the nature of a “going out”: we are leaving the familiar and going to somewhere new. Other journeys are more of a coming home, a return to a place of security, what the poem refers to as a “coming in”. We’ve been outside, and now we come back in, back to the comforts of home.

    As we look to the months ahead, some of our journeying will take us to places which are unfamiliar and frightening; and some of our journeying will take us back to a place of comfort and security. But whatever the nature of the journey, we can take comfort from the knowledge that we are not travelling alone. God is there with us, at all times and in all places.

    Prayer for Today

    Lord,
    when we are sad or anxious,
    helps us to lift our eyes to You.
    When we feel alone,
    help us to know that you are with us,
    and when we travel into the unknown,
    remind us that You are at our side. 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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