For general information about our Parish then select from the links above. To find out more about the individual churches (information, history, pictures and location) then click on the pictures below.
These pages were last updated on December 2nd 2011 On that date this page was updated with the December / January Services, the Rector's Letter and the latest News.
You are visitor
since 1st January 2008
Hodnet Parish is located in North Shropshire, in the West Midlands and is part of Lichfield Diocese.
We are three churches who together are looking to love God and serve Him in our rural area and further afield.
Have a look at our Statement of Purpose on the "About Us" section for more information.
We hope that you find what you are looking for here, if not please use the details under "Contact Us" and we will do our best to answer your query.
We are an Anglican church with three lovely historic buildings in different parts of the parish:
* St Luke's Church in Hodnet, of Norman origin, is the Parish Church
* The Chapel of St Luke at Weston under Redcastle, close to Hawkstone Park.
* The Chapel of the Epiphany at Peplow, a hamlet south of Hodnet.
We share the following Core Purposes - Mission - to bring people of every age and background into a living and growing relationship with Jesus Christ Community - to be a mutually supportive, caring community in which everyone has a part to play Worship - to offer worship to God that is wholehearted, accessible and relevant Discipleship - to enable people to grow in wholeness and Christ-likeness in their own lives and relationships God's Kingdom - to change the way the world around us goes about its business
Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals
Baptism and Thanksgiving We welcome families who wish to bring their children to be baptised. A first step would be to attend a church service and introduce yourself, or to contact the Rector directly.
We will help you to understand the significance of Baptism and what part the Church can play in your child's growth in faith. In it you make a commitment to Christ and to the nurture of your child in the Christian faith. As a church we promise to grow as part of the church. If all you wish to do is to express your gratitude to God for the gift of a child then an alternative to baptism would be a service of Thanksgiving. This year, 2010 we shall be having dedicated days for baptism. At Hodnet on Sunday 20th June
and at Weston on Sunday 25th July.
Weddings
If you are planning to get married the best way to do so is in church in the presence of God. To say your vows "in the sight of God" concentrates the mind on the seriousness of the commitment and expresses your need for the strength and help of God in your marriage.
You are eligible to be married in one of our churches if either of you are resident in the parish or one of you is a member of the electoral roll of either church. For non-residents to join the electoral roll it is necessary to have attended worship regularly for at least six months. We believe in a loving and forgiving God and so Divorce is not always a barrier to being married in Church. If either of you have been divorced it's important to discuss this with the Rector, as an opportunity to learn from the past and to move on. Contact the Rector as a first step in your wedding plans.
Addendum The Church of England Marriage Measure 2008 became law in October
This new legislation, overwhelmingly passed by the General Synod, came into force on the 1st October 2008. This measure offers the Church new ways to clarify, reissue and celebrate its wider welcome, so as to meet the needs of couples requesting church weddings and to better integrate more of them into the ongoing life of the local church. It does not affect the existing right of parishioners but allows couples opportunity to marry in a church which has special significance for them, even though it is not where they live, without applying for a special licence. The changes will mean an engaged couple is welcome to be married in church in a parish if just one of the following applies:
* One of them was baptised or prepared for confirmation in the parish;
* One of them has ever lived in the parish for six months or more
* One of them has at any time regularly attended public worship in the parish for six months or more;
* One of their parents has lived in the parish for six months or more in their child's lifetime
* One of their parents has regularly attended public worship there for six months or more in their child's lifetime;
* Their parents or grandparents were married in the parish.
Confirmations Young people may be prepared for confirmation at any age from school year 6 and upwards. This is normally done in a group each year or every other year, which meets weekly for about 8 weeks. Adults may be confirmed at any age, and preparation for this may be done individually or in a group. Contact the Rector with any enquiries about confirmation.
Funerals For many people the subject of death is a very sensitive issue. When a loved one dies we are in a state of shock and bewilderment. The Funeral Director arrives to make the funeral arrangements and will ask you if you would like to go into church for the service or go straight to the Crematorium. All you need to do is tell the Funeral Director you would like a church service.
The funeral would be a service of thanksgiving with a personal tribute to the person's life. Because of time pressures at the Crematorium, I encourage you to use the church for a short service. Obviously I hope we never need to meet under sad circumstances but if we did I want you to know that your church cares very much and wants to support and comfort you.
THE RECTOR'S DECEMBER 2011 MESSAGE
Dear Friends, During December - the Season of Advent - we prepare again to hear the song of the angels announcing the birth of Christ. It is a story we know so well and love it for it familiarity but one of the peculiar things about the two Gospel stories of Jesus birth is that the account of the nativity doesnt take up much space in the narrative.
Matthew has half a line and she will bear a son and he named him Jesus though Luke has rather more while they were there the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her first born son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn. Like the death of Jesus, His birth is passed over in language that is surprisingly brief for such a momentous event. There is no detail no reaction noted from Mary or Joseph not even a cry; the story of His birth is told through the eyes of the observers those who come from near and far to witness the event. The two Gospel narratives shift the spotlight away from the nativity to focus attention on those who look on the event, not immediate family, interestingly, but outsiders. We are invited to see the events through the eyes of two different groups the shepherds and the wise men. If the wise men represent the wisdom of the world, the shepherds represent the poor people of the world, the nobodies, the marginalised. As you prepare your own heart and life to welcome the Christ child be certain that you matter to Him, you have a place in His heart on His birthday and every day.
May the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds,
the perseverance of the wise men, the obedience of Joseph and Mary,
and the peace of the Christ child, be yours this Christmas
With every blessing for a happy and holy Christmas and peaceful New Year.
Charmian
Services for December 2011 / January 2012
Hodnet
Weston
Peplow
Sunday 4th December Advent 2
8.00 am Holy Communion
9.30 am Morning Prayer
-
11.00 am Morning Prayer
-
-
Tuesday 6th December
7.00 pm Compline
-
-
Sunday 11th December Advent 3
11.00 am Holy Communion with Baptism
9.30 am Holy Communion
6.30 pm Evensong
Tuesday 13th December
2.00 pm Hodnet School in Church
7.00 pm Compline
-
Sunday 18th December Advent 4
6.30 pm Carol Service
9.30 am Holy Communion
-
Tuesday 20th December
-
-
7.00 pm Compline
Wednesday 21st December
7.00 pm Carols at Broadgates
-
-
Saturday 24th December Christmas Eve
3.00 pm Crib Service
5.00 pm Carol Service
6.30 pm Carol Service
11.30 pm Midnight Mass
-
-
Sunday 25th December Christmas Day
11.00 am Christmas Communion
9.30 am Christmas Communion
-
Sunday 1st January New Years Day
11.00 am Holy Communion
-
-
Sunday 8th January Epiphany
-
-
11.00 am Parish Celebration of the Epiphany
Sunday 15th January Christmas 3
11.00 am Family Communion
9.30 am Holy Communion
-
Sunday 22nd January Christmas 4
6.30 pm Evensong
11.00 am Morning Prayer
9.30 am Holy Communion
Sunday 29th January Christmas 5
-
11.00 am Parish Communion
-
Sunday 6th February Christmas 6
8.00 am Holy Communion
9.30 am Morning Prayer
-
11.00 am Morning Prayer
-
-
Monthly Pattern of Services within the Parish
Hodnet
Weston
Peplow
1st Sunday
8.00 am Holy Communion BCP
9.30 am Morning Prayer
-
11.00 am Morning Prayer
-
-
2nd Sunday
11.00 am Holy Communion CW
9.30 am Holy Communion CW
6.30 pm Evensong
3rd Sunday
11.00 am Family Communion
9.30 am Morning Prayer
-
4th Sunday
6.30 pm Evensong
11.00 am Family Communion
9.30 am Holy Communion
5th Sunday
11.00 am A single Parish Service at one of the churches
Officer
Name
Tel: Number
Parish Rector
Rev. Charmian Beech
01630 685491
Hodnet Church Wardens
Mrs Janice Parker
01630 685531
Mr Tim Preston
01630 685315
Weston Church Wardens
Mr Arthur Fox
01630 685180
Mr Brian Harper
01939 200636
Parish News
Christmas Shoe Box Appeal 88 Shoe Boxes were collected in the Parish of Hodnet which includes Weston and Peplow.
Hodnet News Stop Press: Shrewsbury School Community Choir were holding a Musical Evening with Carols Saturday, 3rd December at 7-30pm in St Lukes Church, Hodnet but sadly they have had to cancel. Please let anyone know whom you think might have bought tickets.
Table Top Sale: The Lyon Hall, Hodnet are holding a "Table Top Sale" on Saturday, December 3rd.
If you would like to book a table please contact Glenys on 01630 685661
And on Friday, 16th December, they are holding Christmas Bingo - eyes down at 7-45 pm.
Carols around the Crib: at Eileen and Peter Broadgates
home 10, Shrewsbury Street, Hodnet Wednesday, December 21st at 7pm. Everyone welcome
Weston News Village Hall Christmas Fair: Saturday, December 17th. at 2-30 pm. Craft stalls and Christmas arrangements for sale. Phone Christine on 01939 200656 for more information.
For information about all activities within the Parish, services, weddings, baptisms, funerals etc. please contact the Rector:
