News and Events

This page maintained as a 'live' newsletter with the aim of keeping you updated with what is happening in the benefice. Please do use it to keep yourself updated with what is happening in and around our churches. The newest messages appear at the top.

Deadline for Next Newsletter - Tuesday 19th September - Complete this form to submit items for the next newsletter.

You can see our current notices below. To see a list of events by date, please click here.

New Beginnings

My family are celebrating several new beginnings in September - one has a new job, another is off to university, our eldest grandchild is going up to secondary school and our youngest is starting primary. New shoes have been bought by both old and young, and they are all asking the all important question, ‘What if I get lost?’ 

January, April, September, Advent…there are several points in the year when we mark fresh starts. Depending on your stage in life, some are more important than others, but one thing they have in common is that they all bring change. New beginnings are central to the Bible too. As God’s salvation story unfolds, there are radical new beginnings for creation, nations, peoples and individuals. Think about Noah, Moses, Ruth, Jesus’ disciples, Paul…the list is vast. In fact, everyone in the Bible faced change! 

God knows that change can be daunting and scary. In fact, throughout the scriptures the Lord reassures us that he is with us and ready to help us in every situation we face. This verse sums it up so well: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand ~ Isaiah 41.10

Change also brings opportunities for growth. We know our grandchildren will soon be loving their new schools once they find their way around and make new friends. Likewise, stepping out in faith, strengthens our trust in the Lord and helps us to grow spiritually.

September is an exciting new season for the Ouse Valley Benefice. Please read inside to find out more about the fresh ventures God is leading us into. As I said in my August letter, I can’t achieve all this alone…It takes teamwork to make God’s dreams work! Your ideas, help, support and prayers mean so much. You are a vital part of his work in our communities and I’m excited to see what God has in store for us all.

With gratitude and blessings, Revd Nigel Moat

Notices added in September 2023

Harvest Services in the Ouse Valley Benefice

We have a number of harvest services in the Ouse Valley Benefice.

Harvest Lunches

The bring and share harvest lunch at Southery on September 17th follows on directly after the morning service which will be later than normal at 11am. Everyone is welcome to come along and join us.

For those wishing to join in for lunch at Denver on Sep 24th at 12.30pm (Denver Village Hall), please book your place by Sunday 17th on the form at the back of the church, or speak to Linden Leeke. The cost is £10 per person. Alternatively, you can book a place using this webform.

The reference to the Methodist Chapel above is not a mistake! We have been invited to attend their Harvest service and then join them for lunch. This is a wonderful opportunity to join with our ecumenical friends as we worship God and share a meal together. For more information please speak to Revd Nigel.


Harvest Coffee Morning, St Mary’s, Denver

We are holding a harvest coffee morning at St Mary’s Church in Denver on September 23rd - 10.30am to 12.30pm. 

Everyone is welcome!



Rotary Club ShoeBox Appeal 2023

Sue Sampson now has the shoe boxes ready for distribution for those wishing to pack a shoebox for this year's Rotary Club appeal. If you would like to pack one, please see Sue Sampson at Denver Church. Jo Walton also has a selection of brand new knitted garments for babies through to 8/9 year old boys and girls that would be ideal for adding to the boxes. These can be collected from St Mary’s Church in Denver if you want to add one to your box.

Monthly Prayer and Praise Service - St Mary’s Church, Denver

We are launching a new monthly prayer and praise service at St Mary’s Church, Denver on the third Sunday of the month - starting September 17th at 6.30pm. The services have been designed to provide a space to come and connect with God through prayer and worship and to enable us to welcome those in our community who may not be comfortable in a traditional church service. Everyone is welcome!

All Saints' Church, Hilgay Service Times

From September onwards we are changing the format and times of services at All Saints’s church in Hilgay. They will now be at 11am with Morning Worship on the second Sunday of the month and a service of Holy Communion on the fourth. This is partly an outcome of the review of the benefice service schedule as well as responding to feedback from those in the local community.

Forest Church

As part of Bexwell’s desire to experience new forms of worship, we are planning a ‘Forest Church’ service on the 17th September at 9.30am. This will be outside in the grounds of the church, so if you want to join us, come prepared and bring a folding chair if you have one! This will be an all-age service and everyone will be more than welcome. Please invite any families you know. 

Bexwell Feast

The annual Bexwell feast is being held at St Mary’s Church, Bexwell on the evening of September 16th. If you would like to know more and book a place, please contact Fraser or Carole Reich at Bexwell Church or email friendsofbexwell@gmail.com.

Notices added in August 2023

Hymns and Tea - St Mary's Church, Southery

Don’t forget there will be no Hymns and Tea at Southery in August. The next one will be on Wednesday September 20th at 2.30pm.

Art Exhibition - St Mary’s Church Bexwell - 12th - 20th August

It’s always great when our churches can be used for community events that allow us to reach out to those who may not normally come to church. The architecture of the building can provide a unique and inspiring setting for works of art and provide a welcoming space for visitors. 

Therefore, we are delighted that our very own ‘artists in residence’, Carole Reich and Janet Wilde, are holding an exhibition of printmaking in St Mary’s Church, Bexwell. Why not bring your friends and come along to support Carole and Janet. This will also be a wonderful opportunity to see how our buildings can be reimagined so that we can engage with our communities in new ways. Perhaps we could hold similar events around the Ouse Valley Benefice in the future.

Notices added in July 2023

Ten Mile Bank - Re-launch

In autumn, we are planning to relaunch services in Ten Mile Bank. Revd Nigel would like to gather a group of people to help plan a few community events in the coming months and then get the services started again. We really want to build relationships locally and nurture a renewed congregation at St Marks - please let Revd Nigel know if you could help.  Meanwhile, can we all be praying for Ten Mile Bank this summer - that God will give us wisdom, opportunities, and the ability to listen well to both the Holy Spirit and the community.  All of our local villages have needs too so let us continue to ask for God’s blessing on each parish in our benefice.

Ouse Valley Benefice Quiet Day

We hope to hold a quiet day for the Ouse Valley Benefice at some point over the next few months. A quiet day is a day set aside for spiritual reflection, Bible study, prayer, and worship. It provides time to focus on God and to grow in our relationship with Him. Everyone would be welcome whether you have been to something like this before or not. 

Notices added in June 2023

Vocations

The Diocese of Ely have a number of Discipleship and Vocations courses available should this be something you feel you are being called to. We we would particularly like to draw your attention to...

For me details see our vocations page.

Ely Cathedral Parish Pass

If you are on the electoral roll of any of the churches in the Ouse Valley Benefice, you can apply for a free pass allowing you to visit Ely Cathedral without having to pay an entrance fee. To apply for a pass complete the application form and ask your churchwarden (or Revd Nigel Moat) to counter sign it. You can then take the completed form, together with proof of your address, to the Ticket and Information Desk at Ely Cathedral between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Saturday to receive you pass.