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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.
Sermon Blog
Sermon Blog
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
In our busy lives, forgiveness can often feel like a transaction, a ledger where we keep track of who owes what. When Peter asked Jesus if forgiving someone seven times was enough, he thought he was being incredibly generous. But Jesus’ response—seventy-seven times—wasn't about a number to count towards. It was an invitation into limitless grace.
To illustrate this, Jesus told the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. Imagine a servant forgiven an unpayable, astronomical debt by his master, only to turn around and throw a neighbour in prison over a trivial amount. It sounds absurd, yet how often do we do the exact same? As one commentator noted, it is like drinking from the bottomless well of God’s limitless grace while refusing to offer a single cup of water to those who have wronged us.
Forgiveness is not about ignoring justice, nor is it about condoning harm. True forgiveness blocks the path to revenge, and in doing so, it sets us free. As Eva Kor, a survivor of Auschwitz, beautifully declared when she chose to forgive her captors: forgiveness is an act of self-liberation. She discovered she had the power to forgive, and through it, she was no longer a helpless victim but truly set free.
Every week we pray, "Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us". This is not a transactional bargain with God; it is a sobering reminder that we ask God to measure out mercy to us using the exact same standard we use for others. This week, let us step away from the calculator of resentment. Let us fully accept God’s radical, unmerited grace and, in turn, find the daily courage to offer that same grace to those around us.
Rolling Notices
Rolling Notices
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 (except for one off donations).
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.
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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