Welcome

We had a wonderful time at The Cliffs, Little Hereford yesterday, blessing the cider apple orchards and wassailing. Well over a hundred people enjoyed St. Mary’s Handbell Ringers, Laurence Talbot’s singing group and the Silurian Border Morris Men, as we asked God for his divine protection and nurturing of the apple trees. Although it was a typically cold January afternoon most people were able to stay and enjoy delicious cider punch and apple cakes while the Morris men danced and the Handbell Ringers played. We would like to heartily thank  Jim Franklin who not only provided the venue but was also a terrific host, baking wonderful apple tarts and mixing the cider punch and soft drinks and, to Jim’s family who played such active parts in the service. Our thanks too, to Robert Robinson of Robinson’s Cider who donated the liquid refreshment and to all who made the delicious cakes. Roll on next year!

Our next Team agricultural service takes place on 29th. April when we will enjoy a blessing of the new lambs and of the earth. Watch this space…………

Here we are at the end of another year, with a new, ‘pure and spotless’ one ahead! No wonder this is a time for resolutions with all the possibilities that a new year brings and so, we  we wish you all every blessing, peace and happiness for 2012!

It is with real sadness that we say “goodbye” to Hilary and Bernard tomorrow (Little Hereford Church 11am – please come!) but it is also with heartfelt thanks for ALL that they have done and our best of wishes for their very, very new year ahead!

There are many ways in which in which to celebrate Christmas -one way is to share in a Christmas Service. All of our services are listed on this website and hopefully we have something to suit everyone. You will always find a warm welcome at all of our churches and the perfect start to any celebration of Christmas. Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful time in church yesterday – ‘Experiencing Christmas’ with children from Tenbury and Burford Primary Schools. Six stations have been set up in St. Mary’s Tenbury, each telling a different part of the Christmas Story  to think and reflect on; they make the story really come alive!

The stations will remain in church, which is open during every day, for the next couple of weeks and we have provided a map of where they are in the building. Do come in and Experience the real Christmas first hand!

Not in the Tenbury Team this time! The Tenbury Team-Maramba Deanery Link Committee is delighted to let you know that Revd William Mbuji, the Area Dean in Maramba, has been promoted by the Bishop of Tanga, to be the Dean of St Michael’s Cathedral Church in Korogwe. William has been a wonderful co-ordinator of our Link in Maramba, and it is his enthusiasm and commitment that has enabled our Link to grow into a true friendship.  More…

Yesterday we celebrated All Saints’ Day and we also said farewell to Rev. Dr. Chris Moore and his family – the choice of date was purely coincidental! It was a wonderful service, including a stirring sermon from Chris but, the occasion was inevitably tinged with some sadness at their moving on.

Folk moving on does NOT spell the end however and we will do our best to ensure that their work is still carried out. So, for instance, Mary’s Stitch Together will continue and Hilary is already putting in place, lots of plan ‘B’s for when she and Bernard move to Hereford at the end of the year. Valley Worship will carry on; this may be in Leintwardine where there is already a satellite meeting or, the Tenbury mantle may be taken on by others.

There is a team of people ready, willing and able to continue the Tuesday Coffee Morning (10am – midday) but they do need someone able to organise a rota. This person doesn’t need to be there every week, it’s just about ensuring that each Coffee Morning is staffed. If you think you could be the rota person, please contact Rev. Hilary

- and watch this space!

One of the benefits of having to drive regularly as part of my Episcopal ministry is that I get the opportunity to listen to the radio. Sometimes the journey and the hour coincide affording me the pleasure of listening to the Today programme and catching up on current affairs. Those of you who listen to that programme will know that topics stretch far and wide from concerns over growing obesity levels, to bankers’ bonuses to environmental concerns, to the latest parliamentary concerns or political intrigue. John Humphries and James Naughtie seem to me to be particularly good at asking the penetrating and hard questions of those who come their way. Theirs is the knack of exposing what might be mere rhetoric or political posturing. At the heart of the questioning or debate is a challenge to integrity and right action. In an information saturated age we desire wisdom.  More…

If you are interested in getting married in one of our beautiful churches and just want to know if the date you have in mind is available then, just go to our Weddings page (click here) to see the dates and churches already booked. Should you want a date and church already booked but at a different time of day then please speak to our clergy – Claire, Sian or Sue – for more information.

This month sees the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre in New York. The term 9.11 is now a part of the global vocabulary. Most of us can remember where we were and what we were doing on that fateful day. None of us can deny the shock and horror as we watched film footage of the impact of the aircraft and the consequent collapse of the buildings. The resultant loss of life was something few would have expected in an urban context far removed from a conventional war zone. For many families caught up in the events of that day the anniversary will no doubt be a difficult day. Memories will be stirred and emotions once again brought to the fore. Solidarity with those who lost loved ones and remembering all those who worked with courage to save others will be important. More…

There will be a one day Holiday Club at St Mary’s Tenbury this Thursday (28th) between 10am and noon. The theme is ‘The Seaside’ – come and join us!