Services for May 30th
10.30 am Weobley Church, Group Service
Services for May 23rd
9.00 am Sarnesfield, Holy Communion, CW
10.30 am Staunton-on-Wye, Eucharist CW
10.30 am Weobley Holy Communion BCP
5.00 pm Byford, Evening Prayer BCP
5.30 pm Zoom Evening Prayer BCP
Services for May 16th 2021
10.30 am Letton Matins
10.30 am Weobley Eucharist CW
5.30 pm Zoom online Evening Prayer (the link can be found under week by week, services tab)
First Services in the Benefice for Rev’d Philip
Rev’d Philip held his first service in the Benefice at Norton Canon on Sunday May 2nd, followed by Weobley Church where the congregation gathered under blue sky and sunshine to sing hymns in the churchyard.
The Institution of the Rev’d Philip Harvey
It was a great joy to see Rev’d Philip instituted on Monday evening at Byford. As ever, the church and the wardens, Maggi Denaro and Sue Hubbard were wholeheartedly welcoming and full of the sense of hope and optimism for the future we, the congregation also share with Philip and Penny.
In front of an ecumenical congregation reflecting the significance of partnership and harmony, Bishop Richard and Archdeacon Derek Chedzey led the service. But in a spirit of partnership many members of the congregation – representing our clergy, schools, local councils and and parishes of course – had rolls to play in welcoming Philip and the overriding feeling was one of the Benefice uniting in support of our new incumbent. For the duration of the interregnum, the mantra for the future was always’ Our New Rector’ and now he’s here among us, and busily getting to know the parishes.
The service was also live-streamed to the Group’s Facebook site – were it can still be viewed – and it was comforting to know that in addition to a limited audience in the church, Philip’s family, friends and former congregants were able to celebrate the occasion. Rev’d Guy Wilkinson was rightly thanked for not only organising a fine service, but also, with Tessa his wife, laying on the live-streaming.
Philip’s first services will be this Sunday morning when he will be at Norton Canon at 9 am and then in Weobley at 10.30 am. Let’s make him wholeheartedly welcome.
A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
Monday April 26th 7pm – Institution Service for the Rev’d Philip Harvey
The Rev’d Philip Harvey will be installed by the Bishop of Hereford as Rector of the Benefices of Weobley and Staunton on Wye on Monday 26th April at 7.00pm in Byford church. Because of the Covid restrictions, we have sadly had to limit to 35 only the number of people who can be there, although we will have a good representation from the schools, parish councillors, clergy, Deanery and more.
The service will be livestreamed to the Weobley and Staunton group of parishes Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/weobleyandstaunton/ . I do hope that as many as possible will take that opportunity to engage with Philip and Penny as they begin their ministry with us. Below is the link for the order of service which will help everyone to follow the service from wherever they are.
It has been a while since we have said ‘put the date in your diary’, but here we are…..Weobley Church Fete 26th June at 2pm …….more details to follow but we already have a brass band, dancers, Weobley’s very own ‘Alive n Pickin’ bluegrass band as well as tours of the tower,,, see the bells, the clock and of course……that view! Lets have a celebration of returning to a social life here in Weobley.
Sunday 18th April Services
Letton – 10.30 am Holy Communion BCP
Evening Prayer via Zoom 5.30pm.
Sunday 11th April Services as follows:
Staunton-on-Wye Eucharist CW 10.30 am with Rev’d John Thewlis
The Death of HRH Prince Philip
There will be a special service of prayer in St Thomas Catholic Church, 20 Kington Rd Weobley this Sunday, 11th April at 4pm to pray for the divine repose of Prince Philip and the divine consolation of HM Queen Elizabeth and her family. All welcome. Covid restrictions will apply to this event.
Online Services
There is also an online (Zoom) services this Sunday:
- 5.30 pm – Evening Prayer led by Rev’d Susan Verwey.
Service sheets for these services can be found on the ‘Week-by-Week’ pages under the Services tab.
The Zoom link is:
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14th March Evensong at 5.30pm – online Zoom Service with Rev’d Susan Verwey and Bishop Richard
Rev’d Susan will lead the Holy Communion BCP Evensong and Bishop Richard will provide the Homily. The link for the Zoom is:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81946640814
Everyone welcome and we hope you can join us.
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#LiveLent – 2021
#LiveLent – we will be discussing the weekly topic after our Evening Prayer Service every Sunday during lent (apart from March 14th as Bishop Richard will be joining us).
If you do not have the booklet you can download the app and join in.
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Introducing Rev Philip Harvey
Penelope and I are looking forward to our move into the Hereford Diocese, getting to know you and writing this next chapter of ministry in God’s service together.
I grew up in a large Christian family in Sydney, Australia and worked as a teacher of English, History and Drama in several schools before teaching and leading in international schools in Germany, Oman and Luxembourg. While in Luxembourg I was sponsored by the Diocese of Europe and undertook my ministry training with the Eastern Region Ministry Course and Durham University. I then served in Sprowston, an urban parish of Norwich. My travels and experiences have been across a range of churches, cultures and spiritual traditions.
I like outdoor pursuits that put me in touch with the natural world: gardening, walking and cycling. My musical tastes are diverse, ranging from baroque to jazz and I play the guitar, flute and harmonica. My favourite areas of reading include history, theology and biography, while my favourite foods are Mediterranean and almost anything cooked slowly in red wine. I tend to be experimental in the kitchen, which is occasionally a good thing and sometimes not so good.
Penelope (also a teacher) and I have two adult children. Our son Blake lives in Canberra and our daughter Caitlin lives in Bristol. We also have three young grandchildren, who are a source of real joy.
We would value your prayers and support as we make this transition, and look forward to meeting many of you in April.
Above is our Facebook livestream video for January 24th 2020 – we hope you enjoy it.
Fifth Sunday – Group Service
Next Sunday – January 31st – we had scheduled a Group Service at Byford but we can no longer do this and so instead, and to try and retain the group dynamic, we will be ‘hosting’ just one morning service which will be pre-recorded and with contributions from all the parishes and then broadcast on YouTube and our Group Facebook site. We will publish the links for this service in People & Steeple next week and we hope that as many of you as can will engage with the service, and of course we’d be happy to hear your thoughts about it after the event. These are new and exploratory times; with light from you all we can map the best way forward.
January 17th
We are live streaming on our Facebook page from Weobley Parish Church this morning (24th Jan) at 10.30 am – you can find us at https://www.facebook.com/weobleyandstaunton/
We will upload it to the website shortly afterwards.
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Wearing Face-coverings in Church
We have just received guidance from the Church of England that the wearing of face-coverings in church is mandatory . Our feeling is that this is a matter that touches on personal responsibility.
For updates on Weobley, Letton, Byford, Norton Canon, Monnington and Sarnesfield parishes please visit their pages on the ‘Churches’ tab.
Please visit our Week-by-Week tab for details of our weekly Zoom Services and accompanying service sheets. Below is a link for a little taster of one of our Sermons that Rev’d John Thewlis gave us for Trinity Sunday.