Claydon Benefice Monthly Notice sheet of Services and Events with latest weekly update
Please see pew sheet for this month attached - the following news update was issued by email to the Benefice on Saturday 14th November
What a wonderful turnout last Monday to celebrate and give thanks for the life and ministry of Rev'd Bruce. A packed Church and overflowing Sorrel Horse was a tribute to the number of people Bruce's Ministry touched over his near 50 years of service in a number of parishes, We were indeed very fortunate that he and Sue chose to "retire" to our Benefice. His ministry here has been a true blessing particularly during periods of vacancy. We thank Sue and the family for requesting donations in Bruce's memory to Barham Church as well as St Elizabeth Hospice. A report has been included in this week's Diocesan E-news. We continue to pray for Sue and the family during this difficult post-funeral period.
This week there are plenty of choices if you fancy a coffee or tea with company! This morning (Saturday) its the monthly Gt Blakenham Coffee then Tuesday its the monthly Coffee at Henley Cross Keys then Friday its the weekly Drop-in at Barham Church Hall.
Following a useful meeting with Archdeacon Sam last Thursday evening, all PCC members from our three Churches are invited to meet with her again on Wednesday 25th November at 3:30pm in Barham Church Hall to agree our requirements of a new Rector so that we can move towards updating our Benefice profile and drawing up an advert for the post. The Archdeacon's target is to have the post advertised in January if possible.
Our thanks to Mike Firman for cutting down and removing the very large branch that the winds recently broke off the tree at the back of Barham Church - a lovely clean job!
A message from Reverend Cathy to keep us all informed –Following a meeting with all our Church Wardens (and with permission from the Rural Dean and Archdeacon), we would like to inform you that there will be some occasional changes to services in the months to come.As you all know, our Ministry Team is working very hard to keep things going in yet another vacancy. In order to alleviate some of the pressure, I have invited other Diocesan priests and preachers to pay visits to our Benefice. Those Sundays when we have visiting preachers will be run as Benefice Sundays, so there will only be one service taking place in our Benefice. We hope that you will all support these services (and visiting preachers!) and gather in worship as a benefice. We will keep you informed, in good time, when these intermittent ‘extra-ordinary Benefice Services’ will take place.Quite apart from the fact that it is always interesting to have different speakers in our churches, I am absolutely sure you will all support the reason for doing this. We have a remarkable and generous Ministry Team working alongside our Church Wardens, for whom I am truly thankful. Do let me know if you have any comments or queries.The Ministers I have booked thus far:Sunday 10 January 2027:
Great Blakenham Church at 11.00am Archdeacon DavidSunday 21 February 2027:
Henley Church at 10.00am Dean Joe (please note change of time)Sunday 25 April 2027:
Barham Church at 10.00am The Revd Canon Katy Cunliffe (Cathedral Precentor)
We now know that Janet Rushbrook’s funeral will take place at 10am on 24th November at Barham Church. Please continue to remember Janet and her family in your prayers.
