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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
How are you all? I hope you have been able to enjoy the summer months. Typically, not a set pattern with the weather in the UK, but the days have been long and recently, I have heard the farmers out in the fields working long into the night getting in the harvest. How blessed we are to have such workers and that at least some of our crops have grown well this year.
I am looking forward to collecting all the apples of my trees this year, I have quite a bumper crop, a real improvement on last year’s. I am not much of a cook so I will have to get some recipes out, and maybe the locals will come and pick some for the local cider making. We enjoyed a few glasses of local Westbury cider last year at our harvest Cider and Songs in the church as we sang hymns to celebrate this season.
We have lots of gatherings planned this autumn in the church calendar, both in our churches and in our parishes, do have a look, it is great to meet up and chat over a shared meal and give thanks to God for our bounty here in the UK. It is hard to remember how only a few years ago we were not able to meet up - remember how horrid that was.
Of course, across the globe we have many areas where wars and unrest are not allowing people to meet up and share in such bounty, but we hear of accounts where people do make great efforts to share what little they have and give thanks to God and each other, for the food, drink and the friendship, all so important for our lives. Thank you so much to all who give to charities for those afar, and also those who give to our local charities to help support those locally in need, all our shared offerings coming together makes so much difference.
As well as harvest, during this next season we have Remembrance Sunday, a service that many come along to; to remember and give thanks for the peace (be it fragile) that we have. We can often feel God is far from us, but He is very close by and our services, indeed our church buildings, give us places to stop and to draw close to him ‘Draw close to God and He will draw close to you.’ James 4 verse 8.
Blessings to you all, please do ring me if you would like a chat
All blessing to you
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
3rd September 2024
News from Water Stratford
3rd September 2024
News from Tingewick
1st October 2024
News from Turweston
3rd September 2024
News from Westbury
18th September 2024
News from Biddlesden
3rd September 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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