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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 14th June

Services This Week – Sunday 21st June

3rd After Trinity

9:30am – Holy Communion – Sandon

11am – Village Praise – Weston

6pm – Evensong – Rushden

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

Coming Up:

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

Deanery confirmations at St John The Baptist Royston 21st June
Several members of our congregations from Sandon and Weston are being confirmed next week. If you’d like to come along to support them the service begins at 10:30am

Flights of fancy concert – Saturday 11th July 7:30 at Sandon
A fantastical evening of magic and music with professional and hard working amateur musicians from far and wide to raise money for our bird window restoration in Clothall.  Book now to avoid disappointment. Details on poster above.

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.

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.


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 8th June, then Monday 22nd 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: The Bible Project
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). We currently have a vacancy for PSO in Sandon and Rushden.

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.