• The Churn Benefice

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

    All through the pandemic the Church continues to be alive and active.

     

    You can contact:
    Revds Jason & Louise by telephone and email
    and Elaine on the office email and/or mobile number.

    We are distributing The Churn, this week's readings, and notices by email.
    Please ask family, friends & neighbours to contact Elaine 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. The Benefice review update for May 2021 as well as the Summary of Responses are also available under the Resources tab

    • our community page to find links to information about what's happening locally, and how our communities are supporting people affected by the Coronavirus  

     

    text

  • Daily Message

    Rector’s Daily Reflections Tuesday 27th July 2021

    Thought for Today

    This week we’re looking at what the Bible might have to teach us about seeking peace in our lives. Today I’m going to look at a short psalm, psalm 120, which raises three challenging questions.

    To begin with, would we say that are men or women of peace? Do we seekout peace? The author of the psalm proclaims confidently : “I am for peace”. Could we make the same proclamation? It might be that we are too hurt or too angry to be feel able to be men or women of peace. If this is so, it is good to face the reality of our feelings, and think how we might deal with our anger and how we might seek healing for our pain.

    And how do our feelings relate to the feelings of those around us? The author of the psalm felt that they were in an impossible situation : they were for peace, but those around them were for war. I wonder if you have ever found yourself in a situation where you felt you were the sole voice for peace and calm? It can be hard to speak words of peace when everyone around you is pushing for a more aggressive course of action.

    The author of the psalm felt that that had their “dwelling among those hate peace”.

    It would have been quite understandable if , in the circumstances, the psalmist decided that they would simply give up on their search for peace. But they did n’t. They asked for God’s help, and God answered their prayer. Being a peace maker is never an easy vocation. But I wonder if we make it even harder than it need be, by not praying to God for his wisdom and his strength?
    So if we are searching for peace in our own lives and in our communities, I wonder how we would answer these 3 questions raised by the author of Psalm 120 : can we say that we are truly men or women of peace? Do we have the strength of our own convictions, or are we allowing ourselves to be overwhelmed by the voices of those around us? Are we trying to do everything in our strength, or do we ask God for the wisdom and courage which we need?

    Prayer for Today

    Lord, it’s not easy to be peacemakers; help us, inspire us, and encourage us; and forgive us our mistakes. Amen.

    View the 'Daily Message' for this month

    dailyMessage

  • Latest Audio

    Click on the link below to listen to our latest audio files:

    Download Night Prayer

    Listen whenever you want to our service of night prayer.


    latestAudio

  • 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 Policy

    text