Welcome to The Kingswood Benefice

The Kingswood Benefice

Welcome! We are five parishes in North Hertfordshire, including the villages of Clothall, Rushden, Sandon, Wallington, and Weston. Each church has its own pattern of services, and we also worship together at a regular benefice service (on the 5th Sunday). Our churches are normally open for people to visit during the day. You would be very welcome to join us for worship, or to drop in during the week at any time. Our vision is to put Christ the King at the heart our of worship, and the heart of our communities.

To find out what’s happening in our churches week by week, you can sign up for our weekly email newsletter here (your details will not be shared with anyone): The Kingswood Benefice Weekly Mailing, or check our Kingswood Benefice Facebook page. Scroll down for what’s coming up.

This Week’s Services – Sunday 31st May

11am – Benefice Choral Holy Communion (Patronal Festival) – Weston

To find the date of the next service in a particular church, please use the church tab in the menu.

Coming Up:

Talks With A Tipple – Sunday 31st May at 7:30pm – Rushden Church – Helen Simmons
You are invited to our next in the series of Talks with a Tipple. Helen Simmons, dialect coach, will be sharing her experiences in the world of theatre and television – coaching actors in many well known productions. Tickets on the door, £10, including cheese and wine or soft drinks. All funds raised go towards the upkeep of St Mary’s Rushden.

Hope for Rural Churches – Saturday 6th June
Please save the date and use the link on the attached poster to book for this free, one day conference to be encouraged and inspired by other folk in contexts similar to ours. A chance to meet others from across the Diocese and share ideas.

BCP Holy Communion – Thursday 11th June at 10:30am
A service of BCP Holy Communion for everyone. A small and faithful group gather to worship in the historic service of Communion from the Book of Common Prayer.

Wallington Fete – Saturday 13th June
An afternoon of games, teas, cakes, plants, and more held in St Mary’s churchyard.

Clothall Birds – Birds in Medieval Art – Talk by Michael Warren – Saturday 13th June at 5pm
A fascinating talk by Michael Warren, a naturalist, medievalist and founder of The Birds and Places Project. Tickets are £10. Parking available at the Village Hall by kind agreement of the Village Hall Committee. He will talk about birds in late medieval art and culture, giving an interesting context for the Clothall Church birds and perhaps shining a light on some of our local place names!

Rushden Fete – Saturday 20th June
Come along for an afternoon of traditional fete fun, with refreshments, BBQ, stalls, games, and a friendly welcome.

Youth Group – Sunday 28th June at 4pm in Weston Church
A new group for young people from any villages, in Years 6-9, meeting in Weston Church at 4pm until 5:30pm. A space to chat, meet new friends, and share snacks and games, as well as to wonder about how God might be part of our lives. We will meet monthly on the 4th Sunday.

Clothall’s ‘Year of the Birds’
There is a whole year of events planned to celebrate the fantastic East Window in Clothall Church, and to raise funds for its restoration and conservation which include talks, concerts, outdoor activities, and more. See the attached poster for more details.

For more information about how to sponsor a bird, click here.

Bev’s Ordination as Priest – St Albans Abbey – Saturday 4th July – 2pm
Bev will be priested in St Albans Abbey on Saturday 4th July. Everyone is welcome to attend, please speak to Bev or Sarah if you’d like a lift. We will be celebrating all together at Wallington on Sunday 5th July, with a Benefice Holy Communion at 11am.

Weekly Events:

Sandon Singers Community Choir
If you’d like to come along and sing, in a relaxed and friendly group, then Sandon Singers is for you. You don’t need to be able to read music, and if you can’t make every rehearsal, that’s fine. Next rehearsal is Monday 1st June. We are singing in a concert in Litlington Church on 13th June and in Sandon on 11th July.

Reading and Discussion Group – Thursdays at 6:30pm on Zoom.
Reading Group is at 6:30pm on Zoom. We’re a friendly group, there’s nothing to prepare and you won’t be asked to answer any questions unless you want to share your thoughts. We are starting to look at John’s Gospel. If you want a heads up on what that is, take a look here: https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-john/

Zoom information is here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2129865141 Meeting ID 212 986 5141

Weston Luncheon Club
This group runs weekly in term time, on Wednesdays from 12:30 at the Reading Room in Weston. There is a small charge for a hot two-course lunch.

Wellbeing Hub – Weston
This runs weekly in the Reading Room from 1:30 until 3:30 on Fridays.
Each session contains seated exercise, refreshments, and an activity or time to chat. A friendly and welcoming group – new folk always welcome.

Safeguarding

The people below can be contacted by anyone who has a safeguarding concern, or who requires further support. The Rector (Sarah Richardson 07734 815 929) can also be contacted. If there is an immediate risk of harm, please call 999. Contact details of the safeguarding leads at our church are also displayed on the church noticeboard, along with other information about places to seek help.

The number for Local Authority Social Services (Hertfordshire) is 0300 123 4043 (for concerns about children) and 0300 123 4042 (for concerns about adults).

Our Parish Safeguarding Officers are Pam Blackburn (01462 790536) (Clothall, Wallington and Weston) and Margaret Auld (01763 288377) (Rushden and Sandon).

St Albans Diocese Safeguarding Team can be contacted on 01727 818 107 or 01727 818 104 or safeguarding@stalbans.anglican.org. Their website is clickable below:

More information on the Church of England’s National Safeguarding can be found here: The Church of England – Safeguarding

More information about Safeguarding in the Diocese of St. Albans can be found here: The Diocese of St Albans – Safeguarding

The parishes of Clothall, Rushden, Sandon, Wallington and Weston are committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of St.Albans safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.

Safeguarding means the action the Church takes to promote a safer culture. This means we will promote the welfare of children, young people and adults, work to prevent abuse from occurring, seek to protect those that are at risk of being abused and respond well to those that have been abused. We will take care to identify where a person may present a risk to others, and offer support to them whilst taking steps to mitigate such risks.

The Church of England affirms the ‘Whole Church’ approach to safeguarding. This approach encompasses a commitment to consistent policy and practice across all Church bodies, Church Officers and that everyone associated with the Church, who comes into contact with children, young people and adults, has a role to play. The Church will take appropriate steps to maintain a safer environment for all and to practise fully and positively Christ’s ministry towards children, young people and adults; to respond sensitively and compassionately to their needs in order to help keep them safe from harm.

The Kingswood Benefice is part of the Diocese of St Albans, and the Church of England.