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Welcome to the Ouse Valley Benefice
Welcome to the Ouse Valley Benefice
Welcome to the Ouse Valley Benefice - a group of Churches in West Norfolk that are part of the Diocese of Ely. The Benefice comprises seven rural villages and their churches in or close to the Norfolk fens: Bexwell, Crimplesham, Denver, Hilgay, Ryston, Southery, and Ten Mile Bank. The Benefice came into existence in January 2022 succeeding several earlier groupings to make more coherent geographical sense.
Ffald-y-Brenin Retreat
Ffald-y-Brenin Retreat
I write this pastoral letter from Ffald-y-Brenin, a Christian retreat centre and house of prayer nestled in the Preseli hills of West Wales.
The very name Ffald-y-Brenin, meaning ‘sheepfold of the king’, speaks to the heart of this place that provides rest and refreshment from life's demands.
As I sit here, I'm reminded of the vision given to Phyllida Mould that, ‘this would be a backwater where people may come to rest and recuperate, where they may find beauty, love and peace and where they go away refreshed and healed’.
That vision continues to shape the very essence of Ffald-y-Brenin today. Each day revolves around a rhythm of daily prayer, where you are invited to breathe in God's Spirit - to stop, rest, and be restored - and to breathe out His love, carrying His presence and blessing to others.
People have shared how they have encountered the Lord as they experienced refreshment, revelation, direction, and healing. I've certainly found this to be true for myself and I would like to encourage you to do the same as you find space in your day-to-day lives to seek that encounter with God. Let us be a people who not only receive God's blessings but also become channels of those blessings to others as we are called to lives centered on the presence of God where we are continually being restored and sent out to bless the world around us.
May we all experience God's presence, both in the quiet moments and in the midst of our daily lives.
With love and blessings, Revd Nigel Moat.
Rev Nigel's Sermon Snippet
Rev Nigel's Sermon Snippet
Finding Peace and Mission This Easter Season
Finding Peace and Mission This Easter Season
Easter Sunday was a day of seismic shift. Imagine the disciples huddled together, fear gripping them, uncertainty swirling in the air. The tomb was empty, whispers of angels filled the women's stories, but disbelief lingered. Locked away, they tried to make sense of it all. Then, Jesus appears, and his first words? - “Peace be with you.”
These aren’t just empty words. Jesus offers a peace that transcends understanding, a peace that stills our anxieties and whispers reassurance. This peace isn’t just a greeting; it’s a gift, one that we’re reminded of each week in our worship.
But Jesus doesn’t stop there. He gives them a mission: “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” We too are sent out, not as lone rangers, but as a community empowered by the Holy Spirit. We aren’t all called to be missionaries in the traditional sense, but we are all called to bring people into a relationship with Christ, right where we are.
Think of coming to church as your launchpad for the week. We come to find peace, to seek forgiveness, and to be renewed. Then, we step out into our daily lives, carrying that peace and that mission with us. We are sent out to serve God, to be sensitive to the needs around us, and to share the good news in a way that’s understandable and accessible.
Just like Thomas, we might have doubts, we might be absent, but we too can come to belief and worship. We, too, can say, "We have seen the Lord." Let’s carry this message of peace and mission with us this week, knowing we are sent out in the power of the Spirit.
News and Events
News and Events
For all our latest news and events, please see our News and Events page which is regularly updated.
You can also catch up on all the latest information in our monthly newsletter. Click the button below to see the latest edition.
Parish Giving
Parish Giving
We are in the process of setting up Parish Giving for each of our churches. This scheme enables people to set up regular giving or make a one-off donation. The advantage of using this scheme is that gift-aid is automatically claimed on our behalf and all of the money that you donate (including the gift-aid) is passed directly onto the church. There are no administration costs involved.
Baptisms, Wedding and Funerals.
Baptisms, Wedding and Funerals.
If you would like to arrange a baptism, wedding or funeral in any of our churches, please see out Life Events pages. There you will find more information about how these can be arranged. For baptisms we would like to point you in the direction of our baptism coordinator who will guide you through the process. For weddings, your first point of call would be our Vicar, the Revd Nigel Moat. Funerals would normally be arranged via your chosen funeral director - but equally, you can contact Revd Nigel directly if you would like more information.
Deepening Your Relationship with Jesus
Deepening Your Relationship with Jesus
You will find some links below to various resources that you might use to deepen your relationship with Jesus. If you would like to suggest some other resources please let us know!
A free bible app that is available online and on your smart phone.
Pray consistently for the people and causes you care about.
The daily prayer app from the Church of England.
Connect with God with the new Everyday Faith app. Journey daily with reflections to inspire, equip and encourage you in your everyday faith.
A free daily devotional with Bible teachings.
If you would like a copy of the Our Daily Bread bible notes, please complete this form.
Weekly Church of England Online Service
Weekly Church of England Online Service
Do you know someone who is unable to get to church?
If so, why not point them in the direction of the weekly online service from the Church of England. They can sign up to a weekly mailing with details of the service and watch each of the services online. Click the button below for more details and to sign up.
Bexwell Online Services
Bexwell Online Services
Some of our services from Bexwell can be found online. Everyone is more than welcome to join us. Please see the calendar for the online services - the zoom link and Meeting ID's can be found in the calendar entries for each. If you have any problems accessing the zoom service please drop as a line by contacting is using this online form.
Daily Prayer from the Church of England
Daily Prayer from the Church of England
You can catch up with the Church of England daily prayer here.
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