• 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  

    Donations to support the work of all seven churches can be made at:  https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/churnbenefice or by using the QR link to the left.  If you prefer to donate direct to your own church, please contact your church treasurer and arrange a bank transfer or some other method of payment.  Please note that for gift aid purposes it was necessary to link the JustGiving page to a charity account and St. Michael’s Blewbury has agreed support this acting on the Churn Benefices behalf.

     

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  • Daily Message

    Rector’s Daily Reflections: No. 72 Wednesday 1st July 2020

    Thought for Today

    This morning, I received a lovely present – in fact, it was quite the nicest present I’d received in ages. It didn’t come in wrapping paper, with ribbon and a nice bow. It didn’t come in the post, or by delivery company. It wasn’t something to eat or to drink, to read or to play. It wasn’t something to put in a vase or to plant in the garden. It wasn’t large or heavy – in fact, it couldn’t be measured at all, at least by a tape measure or a set of scales.

    So, what was it? Well, someone gave me a call about something, and part of me was feeling a bit uncomfortable because there was something which I had been meaning to do for ages, but due to the pressure of other things I just hadn’t got round to it. I was expecting a bit of an awkward conversation. But in the event the conversation turned out quite differently. The person I was chatting with has a very pressurised and responsible job. They could easily have been short-tempered or angry. Instead, they were gracious and gentle. In short, they gave me the gift of graciousness.

    I think our world can be a hard and tough place. The tone of public conversation can be angry and confrontational. There’s a lot of stress around and this can come across in the way we relate to one another. There’s a lot of pressure on people to do things as quickly as possible, and very little acceptance of what’s actually possible given the resources available. People are frustrated and want things to change as soon as possible. Of course, there are situations where an immediate response is both appropriate and necessary. But so often I think we’d be much the better for some time for reflection – time to gather relevant information, time for conversations, time to explore and discuss the options.

    Which is where graciousness comes in. Graciousness helps us to overcome anger and fear, and when we overcome our anger and fear, we provide the opportunity for deep and honest conversations about the things that really matter.

    Prayer for Today

    Lord, you are so gracious with me.
    Help me to be gracious with others. Amen.

    View the 'Daily Message' for this month

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  • 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, recorded for Fridays


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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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