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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 1st November
9:30am – Holy Communion – Wallington
11am – BCP Matins – Sandon
6pm – Choral All Souls Service – Weston
To find the date of the next service in a particular church, please use the church tab in the menu.
Events & Special Services Coming Up:
Bereavement Cafe Drop In – Mill End Plants – Tuesday 20th October – 1pm to 3pm
A new monthly drop in group for anyone who has been bereaved at any time. Thank you to Mill End Plants for hosting us, do join us for a drink and a chat – no agenda, just a space to be with others who have been bereaved. For more details contact Bev or Sarah (details below).
Pumpkin Party – Sandon Village Hall – Thursday 29th October For all preschool and primary school age children, accompanied by their parent or carer. Drop in between 12:30 and 2:30 for hot dogs, stories about saints, pumpkin activities, biscuit decoriting and crafts. Please book if you can, so we can plan numbers, on rector@thekingswoodbenefice.co.uk or 07734 815 929.
All Souls Service – Holy Trinity Weston – Sunday 1st November – 6pm A reflective and peaceful service for any who wish to remember a loved one, with beautiful choral music. Please let us know if you’d like the name of a loved one read out during the service..
Clothall’s ‘Year of the Birds’
All the remaining Clothall birds are now available to sponsor! Make your selection and have your name included in the special commemorative book at the end of the project: CLICK HERE.
Clothall and Rushden Christmas Fair – Sunday 15th November – 2-5pm – Clothall Village Hall Come and buy local arts, crafts and produce and delicious homemade teas! Free entry.
BCP Holy Communion – Thursday 10th December – 10:30am – All Saints Sandon Everyone welcome to celebrate communion with the words of the Book of Common Prayer.
Christmas Coffee Morning – Friday 18th December – 10:30am – The Vicarage, Sandon Drop in any time before 12:30 for coffe and cakes, and a chance to meet with others from across all the villages.
Regular 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 2nd November, 16th November. Then at Guilden Morden on 7th December.
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 looking at Revelation. Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2129865141 Meeting ID 212 986 5141.
Luncheon Club – Weston – Wednesdays
This group runs weekly in term time, on Wednesdays from 12:30 at the Reading Room in Weston.
Wellbeing Hub – Weston – Fridays
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.
Volunteer Spotlight – Churchyard Working Parties
Around twice a year, each church holds a working party, where a group of people gather to tidy the churchyards, according to the maintenance plans. If you’d like to be involved in trimming, chopping, raking, or could offer to bring along refreshments for the workers, please contact a churchwarden.
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 Gay Ayton (07867 808 079) (Sandon & 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.
