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Welcome.
to the West Buckingham Benefice
Our Benefice includes Westbury, Shalstone, Water Strafford, Turweston, Biddlesden and Tingewick
There is a benefice service in a month with 5 weeks that is rotated between the churches and our Benefice Choir performs at these
For all our services across the benefice, take a look at our calendar and you can also listen to some of my sermons here
There is also lots of news from our villages and news regarding our benefice plus we publish our quarterly Link Magazine delivered to over 800 homes
You can also find information on how to contact regarding weddings and baptisms and much more
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Upcoming Events
You would be very welcome
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Hello everyone
I do hope all is well with you and you have been able to enjoy the past weeks of autumn as we move into the winter months. I must say I welcome the lights that I have seen coming up around the villages as the days become shorter and that wonderful promise of even more as we move through December towards Christmas. It is not surprising that so many faiths have celebrations of light during this time, Jesus ‘the light that no darkness can overcome’ (John 1:5) what a wonderful truth to hold on to in the Christian faith.
Living in Westbury I was really pleased to watch the wonderful firework displays lighting the sky from various locations! Thankfully my young border terrier is not bothered by the bangs and whizzes, and he watched through the window by my side. What spectacles we saw. My previous dog, a big strong labrador used to quiver with fear at the sight and sounds and would still do so if all the curtains were closed and the tv or radio on. I did think this year, that whilst I really enjoyed it, many people are also terrified when they see such lights in the skies and hear such noises, as they tell of local air attacks and unrest, not a fun firework display - we are indeed, so blessed to live in such peace.
We can feel blessed, but we can also help - we can all offer our prayers to such areas of unrest and to those areas devasted by flooding, how awful they have been across the globe. And we can offer what we can by contributing to charities that send support. And locally I say a big thank you to all who contribute to our local collection points for the food bank, in Tingewick church and now in Westbury church too, and to Baby Basics, collecting in Turweston and now In Westbury as well. All contributions are gratefully received and passed on and put to very good use. Bless you for blessing others with your gifts.
As we go forward into our Winter season you will see from our calendar, we have a lot of services and celebrations coming up, many featuring light, candles, carols and Christmas food to share. I do hope you find one that will suit you to come along to; do give one a try if you haven’t before. I look forward to meeting all of you who can make it.
As always, please do ring me, or email me if you would like to chat and all blessings.
Reverend Paula Smith 01280 701631
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Safeguarding
This benefice is committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of children and people of all ages in our church community.
Our Benefice and Parish Churches are committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults from harm. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO).
Our Diocese of Oxford’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor who advises our PSO.
If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact Reverend Paula Smith 01280 701631.
If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority’s children or adult social care services.
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News from Shalstone
29th November 2024
News from Water Stratford
29th November 2024
News from Tingewick
29th November 2024
News from Turweston
29th November 2024
News from Westbury
29th November 2024
News from Biddlesden
29th November 2024
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Other News
Sermons Online
3rd June 2024
Westbury & Turweston are supporting Baby Basics
19th April 2024
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Our Choir
We sing at the Benefice services and give the occasional concert
Rehearsals are normally twice a month on a Thursday evening
The choir is always looking out for new members and it does not require a huge commitment
More information and pictures can be found here
So if you would like to have a go at singing and would like further information, please contact Reverend Paula Smith who can put you in touch with the choir
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