• The Churn Benefice

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

    The Churn Benefice Review is available on the Resources Tab.
    We welcome responses from individuals, groups, PCCs, and anyone who is interested in the future of the Churn Benefice.
    Please send your responses c/o Benefice Administrator (Dawn Saunders)
    at the Churn Benefice Centre by email (office@churnchurches.co.uk) by 30 April 2021.

     

    Although our buildings must close for regular Worship
    the Church continues to be alive and active.


    You can contact:
    Revds Jason & Louise by telephone and email
    and Dawn 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 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  

     

     

    text

  • Daily Message

    Rector’s Reflections: Friday 16th April 2021

    Thought for Today

    This week we have been thinking about how we might live our lives “rooted and grounded in love.”

    I wonder if you have been thinking to yourself: this is all very well in theory, but it’s very hard in practice! Sometimes it’s hard to feel particularly loving towards someone else, especially if they have hurt us, or if we’re feeling tired or worried. Is it really possible for us ground our lives in love?

    Over the last few days, I have quoted some passages from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. Today I wish to refer to another of Paul’s letters, which is known as the Letter to the Galatians. The Galatians were people who lived in Galatia, in modern day Turkey.

    In chapter 5 of his letter to the Galatians, Paul lists what he terms the “fruit of the Spirit”. The “fruit of the Spirit” is as follows: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The “fruit of the Spirit” are the result of trying to “live by the Spirit”.

    What does this mean? It means that we should try to be guided by God’s Holy Spirit. God’s Holy Spirit is God himself. In the traditional language of Christian theology, God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit: these are the three “persons” of the Holy Trinity. Each “person” is fully God, and together the three “persons” form a community of perfect love. In other words, to “live by the Spirit” is to live by love, because God is love.

    Note that Paul lists “love” as the very first of the fruits of the Spirit. If we are to live our lives “rooted and grounded in love”, we can only do so if we try to “live by the Spirit”. Jesus himself lived his life “by the Spirit”, and so Jesus’ own teaching and example will help us to see what this might mean as we meet the challenges we face in our day to day lives.

    So, is it realistically possible for us to live lives grounded in love? Yes, it is - but only if we take our lead and inspiration from Jesus himself.

    Prayer for Today

    Lord, sometimes it’s hard to put love at the centre of our lives;
    fill us your Holy Spirit, and in the power of your Spirit,
    bring forth the fruit of love in our lives. 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 Policys

    text