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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.
APCM Refelctions
APCM Refelctions
Thank you to everyone who came along to one of our Annual Parochial Church Meetings. If you would like to read the final version of the Vicar’s Report it will be available on the website shortly. Here is a summary…
Reflecting on 2024 in the Ouse Valley Benefice, we have experienced God's grace in both familiar routines and new ventures.
Our shared worship has continued to evolve across the benefice. From traditional BCP through to informal gatherings and new Prayer and Praise services, we've celebrated our diverse traditions and it has been a joy to welcome new people. Festival services like Easter and Christmas saw increased engagement, reflecting our desire to bless our communities. Baptisms, weddings, and funerals have enriched our lives, with the adult baptisms standing out as joyful declarations of faith.
Thanks to a team of volunteers we’ve maintained our care home and schools ministries, and supported the local food bank as well as other charities. Looking ahead, mission and outreach continues to be central to my primary vision, ensuring our churches continue to serve our differing communities with God’s love.
Of course, we face challenges and addressing these will require prayerful listening and an honest evaluation of our circumstances as we seek to grow each congregation. Let us pray for opportunities for growth and renewal.
I still believe that God has called Heidi and I to this area of Norfolk, and I remain dedicated to the life of each of our parishes until that calling changes. Thank you for your continued support and especially to the ministry team, churchwardens, PCC members and all our volunteers.
With love and blessings, Revd Nigel Moat.
Rev Nigel's Sermon Snippet
Rev Nigel's Sermon Snippet
John 17.20-26 - Thy Kingdom Come: A Prayer for Unity
John 17.20-26 - Thy Kingdom Come: A Prayer for Unity
In these days between Ascension and Pentecost, we are called to a special time of prayer known as "Thy Kingdom Come." It’s a global movement, inviting us to ask God to move in the hearts of those around us, so that they may come to know Jesus. This isn’t just about reciting words; it’s about a heartfelt cry for God’s reign to manifest here on earth.
Think of the Lord’s Prayer - "Thy Kingdom Come." We say it, perhaps often, but do we grasp its depth? We’re asking for God's influence, justice, peace, and love to permeate our world and our lives. It's a prayer for transformation, starting with us and rippling out to our communities.
In John 17, we see Jesus himself praying - not a liturgical recitation, but a genuine outpouring of his heart. He prays for his disciples and for all who will believe in him through their message - that’s us! And what does he pray for? Unity. "That all may be one." A unity modelled on the love within the Trinity itself.
This unity isn't just a nice idea; it's a powerful witness. Jesus prays for it so that the world will know that God sent him. In a world often fractured, this unity is a beacon of hope, showing the reality of God’s love.
This week, consider: Could you pray for 5 people? What specific prayers will you offer for them? And why? Let us join Jesus in this prayer for unity, and as we pray, let us be part of bringing healing to our world. "Thy Kingdom Come" - let it begin with us.
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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