The United Benefice of Curry Rivel, Fivehead and SwellWelcome to our Benefice. Here are the planned services for April and May 2025If you would like to receive the latest Benefice news, information, prayers, recent talks and other helpful material, then, to be added to the Benefice email list, please contact the Curate Revd. Mark McKnight at markmcknight5@gmail.com up to May 3rd 2025or our Associate Minister Revd. Scott Patterson at scottr.patterson@btinternet.comPlanned services for April & May 2025Sunday April 6th10.00am - Holy Communion Service (CW) - SwellSunday April 13th - Palm Sunday10.00 am - UB and Baptists All Age Family & Communion Service (gathering at St. Martin’s church, then process to Baptist church for Communion followed by refreshments) - Fivehead Monday 14th April 8.30pm – 7-parishes UB Night Prayer - Curry Rivel Tuesday 15th April 8.30pm – 7-parishes UB Night Prayer - Huish Episcopi Wednesday 16th April 8.30pm – 7-parishes UB Night Prayer - Curry Rivel Thursday 17th April - Maundy Thursday 7.00pm – 7-parishes UB The Last Supper in - St. Mary’s, Huish Episcopi Friday 18th April - Good Friday 2.00pm – One Hour at the Cross - Curry Rivel 6.00pm – Compline - Swell Saturday 19th April 10.30-12.30 – Easter Family Coffee, Crafts & Hot Cross Buns - CR OSR Sunday 20th April - Easter Sunday 8.00 – Easter Communion BCP - Swell 9.00 – Family Easter Communion (CW) - Fivehead 10.30 – Family Easter Communion (CW) - Curry Rivel Sunday 27th April 10.00 – United Benefice (UB) Holy Communion (CW) - Curry Rivel + refreshments in OSR, for farewell of Rev Mark & familyPlanned services for May Sunday 4th May 10.00 – All Age Family and Friends Communion Service (CW) + refreshments - Fivehead 6.00pm – Evening Prayer - Curry Rivel Saturday 10th May 3.30-5.30 – Messy Church, in the OSR - Curry Rivel Sunday 11th May 9.30 – BCP Prayer Book Communion Service - Swell 11.00 – Parish Communion Service (CW) + refreshments - Curry RivelNOTE: there will be NO 11.45 Communion Service at Curry Rivel Tuesday 13th May 10.00-12.00 – Craft & Coffee, in the OSR - Curry Rivel Sunday 18th May 9.30 – A Service of Morning Worship - Fivehead 10.30 – All Age Family and Friends Service + refreshments - Curry Rivel Sunday 25th May 9.30 – Parish Communion (CW) + refreshments - Fivehead 11.00 – A Service of Morning Worship + refreshments - Curry Rivel 6.00pm – Prayer Book Evensong (BCP) - Swell
Looking for signs of life. I love all the sunshine we have been having recently! I find myself looking for signs of spring as hungrily as I do when I stand in front of the fridge, looking for something to snack on before dinner. I love seeing the hedgerows and trees bursting with bright green, taking in the sweet smells of fresh growth and feeling the warmth on my skin. All this hopeful looking for life makes me think back to my teaching days. We all thrive on encouragement, but children quickly see through empty compliments. I remember one young person I taught who called me out on this one day. The truth was empty compliments were as demotivating and insulting to his abilities as criticism. A good teacher can find genuine achievements to praise and commend, however small and seemingly insignificant they may appear. These can be the glimmers of hope that growth is possible, that success will come. In the church calendar, we are in the season of Lent; reflection, prayer and simplification to humbly prepare ourselves for Easter. This year I am challenged to not wallow in my past failings, but to see glimmers of hope for change and life. Poet Gregory Orr puts it this way: “Not to make loss beautiful, but to make loss the place where beauty starts”. I think this is where my understanding of Easter lies. The Christian hope is that life came out of Jesus’ death. That there is a hope that broken things can be mended, and reconciliation is possible. The Easter story, which recognises loss, invites us into the place where beauty starts. On the subject of new seasons, my time as Curate here in the village has come to an end and I will be moving on after Easter. It is sad saying goodbye and we are grateful for the friendships we have made during our time here. I also pray, particularly for my kids, that their sadness in leaving will be a place where beauty starts too. I leave a blessing from the Northumbria Community with you. May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors. Peace Mark
