Living Brook Benefice (Piddington, Hardingstone and Quinton)

  As we look forward to Christmas, and as we hear the news that less than half of people in this country described themselves as Christian in the 2021 census, we have some serious thinking to do. Doubtless the purveyors of chocolate, alcohol, luxury foods, toys, video games, decorations,  jewellery  and books will continue to do well this month: our nation will still celebrate Christmas after a fashion. But Christ is less and less at the centre of it. Increasingly our task as Christians and Churches is to teach again the very basics of the faith, not assuming that people know anything at all about it. The simple Christmas story is a good place to start, but we also need to explain the deeper meaning and encourage people towards commitment.  So  I have a double-barrelled Christmas message this year. To Christians and  Churches  I say: Rejoice in Jesus, all that he is and means, and seek to find new ways of sharing him with those around you. To the majority of people, who don't assoc

  Christmas Services in Livingbrook Christmas Eve: 3pm Crib Service Hardingstone Church 4pm Crib Service Piddington Church  5pm Carols by Candlelight Quinton Church 11:30pm Midnight Mass Piddington Church Christmas Day: 10am Holy Communion Quinton Church  10am Christmas Day Service Hardingstone Church 

 The annual Christmas Tree Festival at St John the Baptist, Piddington with Horton  Saturday 10th December 10:30 am - 4:30 pm Sunday 11th December 10:30 am - 4:30 pm Wassail and Nine Lessons and Carols- 5:45 for 6 pm start.

  Gracious God, we give thanks for the life of your servant Queen Elizabeth for her faith and her duty. Bless our nation as we mourn her death and may her example continue to inspire us; through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen There are prayer station set up at Piddington Church and at Hardingstone Church. At Piddington : -  feel free to light the candles in the prayer tray, and leave them burning.    If you wish to light the paschal candle that is fine but please extinguish before you leave. Likewise there are a number of battery operated candles on the table for you to light whilst you pray, but could you turn them off after you have prayed. The books of condolence for HM Queen Elizabeth ll are the same as for Prince Philip and are electronic and can be found on the Church of England site.  https://www.churchofengland.org/ These arrangements are all subject to updates as the week progresses.

  Hello all, David and I are  so looking forward to meeting and getting to know you, and your village communities . I hope to come ready to listen and learn, and to share the good news of God’s love, as your new associate priest. I have been serving as a priest in Hillmorton, Rugby for the last 12 years, and am now excited to begin a new season of ministry with you all. Before being ordained, I was a nurse in the NHS, in a variety of roles, most recently as a Community Children’s Nurse, supporting families to care for their children at home – keeping them out of hospital as much as possible. It was a most rewarding role, as was  all of  my nursing career, actually. I sense you have a heart to see your churches grow, and I very much want to work with you to see where God will lead us , perhaps in new areas of ministry as well as valuing the existing good work that’s already happening. Please pray for me and David as we settle in and get to know you, as we will be praying for you, that t

On the 27th of June we welcomed Rev Margaret into our Benefice for her licensing as our new House for Duty Priest. Rev Margaret will mainly be serving the communities of the villages in the parishes of  Quinton with Preston Deanery and Piddington with Horton. We hope that she will settle quickly into her new home with her husband and come to love and cherish our villages as much as we do.  If you want to see want to see more photos of her licensing please click here

  Saturday 18 th  June 2022   1pm - finish   Prize  Bangers and Boules   At Temple Cottages,  Ravenstone  Lane, Horton by kind permission of the Golden and Falkner  families.   Tickets £7.50 per person or £20.00  per family (includes your first burger/hot dog and a soft drink)   Bar (Pimms, Wine, Beer & soft drinks) & BBQ   Come along and enjoy an afternoon of family fun in a  beautiful setting overlooking Horton Park                                                                      Boules competition from 2pm  (teams can be made up on the day, no experience necessary and  equipment provided)   for tickets call Jane Ward 870203 or Joanne Wilde 870162  

Come and enjoy the Musica choir for a Spring Concert on the 19th of March in St. Edmund’s, Hardingstone at 7:30pm. Tickets from Libby Sheppard 01604 459885 Or Hilary Wilson on hardingstonechurch@gmail.com Or on the door 

  Weaving Hope… …into our Everyday .      A morning of  Creative Reflection  Saturday 12th March 9:45 gathering for 10 am start - 12 pm* * with optional fellowship until 1pm Bring your own packed lunch St. Mary’s Parish Church, Far Cotton NN4 8EZ Please contact Rev Julie Scott to book your place or ask for more details  01604 374379                                                                                         

  The Lent course is "Caring for Creation". This is a five week course accompanied by sound bites from various entertaining speakers. The course will be held on a  Thursday afternoon ,  starting Thursday 10th March at 2pm  at St Edmunds. It will be led by Rev Julie and Steve Watson. Folk can come along and enjoy our hospitality. In addition Rev Sylvia Coles is going to run a ZOOM session for people still shielding, or those living away can join in. Starting week commencing  7th March .  Watch this page for more details of the zoom course. 

Come and enjoy an evening of folk music in St. Edmund’s 7:30 pm 28th February. Tickets from Adrian Scott 01604  374379 or pay on the door Or book through Eventbrite  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/250397855727   

 Come and help the Hardingstone Churchyard Wildlife Project on Saturday 29th January from 2:30 pm where we will be modelling clay hedgehogs to create a wildlife trail for children in the churchyard and also celebrating national hedgehog day, a species that is in urgent need of a population boost.