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 June 13th 2009
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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.
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.
RECTOR'S JUNE MESSAGE
Dear Friends, This last month has encapsulated the rhythms of Parish life. We have entrusted to God's keeping a loved one who has died, we have celebrated the joy of love with two couples coming to be married and we have held in our prayers loved parishioners who are ill or injured. In all these situations, with the swing of emotion which they evoke the Gospel of St John, is a source of strength and inspiration. 'Abide in me as I abide in you' C15 v 4 and later in the same chapter: 'Jesus said to his disciples "As the Father loved me, so I have loved you, abide in my love. You are my friends, you did not choose me but I chose you".'
This last verse was the reading at my own Confirmation service in Chester Cathedral so many years ago. It is such a joy that this year our Parish has four adults and two young people coming to be confirmed by the Bishop on June 7th.
Again and again the Gospels remind us that God wants to share himself with us. We are not simply issued with instructions that we must follow without needing to understand them. Instead we are invited to God‘s table to eat and discuss and share in his great plan for the world. So, one mark of our love for one another and God is our willingness to extend this invitation to others.
Come and join us at God's table and help us to work out with God what to do next. In the Confirmation service the Bishop extends his hands towards those to be confirmed and says.
Almighty and ever-living God
you have given these your servants' new birth in baptism
by water and the spirit and have forgiven all their sins.
Let your Holy Spirit rest upon them
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding
the Spirit of counsel and inward strength
the Spirit of Knowledge and true godliness
and let their delight be in the fear of the Lord. Amen.
May it be so.
With love.
Charmian
Services for June/July 2009
Hodnet
Weston
Peplow
Sunday 7th June Trinity Sunday
8.00 am Holy Communion
9.30 am Morning Prayer
-
11.00 am Morning Prayer
-
-
Sunday 14th June Trinity 1
11.00 pm Holy Communion
9.30 am Holy Communion
6.30 pm Evensong
Sunday 21st June Trinity 2
11.00 am Family Communion with Children's Church
9.30 am Morning Prayer
-
Sunday 28th June Trinity 3
6.30 pm Evensong
11.00 am Family Communion
9.30 am Holy Communion
Sunday 5th July Trinity 4
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 Gerry Whitby
01630 685595
Weston Church Wardens
Mr Arthur Fox
01630 685180
Mr Brian Harper
01939 200636
Parish Quiet Day The parish quiet day this year will take place at the lovely Shrine Church of Pennant Melangell near Oswestry on Saturday 18th July. Please let Jean Wardman know if you are able to come so that we can give numbers.
Her number is 01939 200220
Deanery Confirmation Service Taken by the Bishop of Lichfield - Sunday June 7th at 3.00 pm at St Swithun's, Cheswardine.
Please come to the service if you can, to support our candidates and pray for them.
Weston Village Show Sunday, August 9th. At 12noon.
Incorporating the annual Flower and Produce Show.
There will be a parade of shire horses in full harness, classic cars, dog agility, horse carriage driving, the North Shropshire Hunt parading the hounds. The RAF Shawbury climbing wall.
Hodnet Fire Engine, Pinxton Puppets and a Squirrel Helicopter
From RAF Shawbury. For more information please contact Jane Whittaker on 01939 200637.
The Annual Flower and Produce Show will also take place with entries being taken on Saturday afternoon.
Schedules will be available shortly. Contact John Edwards on
01939 200235 for more information.
Hodnet News
Wednesday, June 17th at 9.30 am
"Come thru' the door"
Coffee and a chat at St. Luke's church. Toast if you're lucky!
Midsummer Ceilidh
The Lyon Memorial Hall are holding a "Midsummer Ceilidh"
on Saturday, June 20th. 7.30 pm - midnight
Live band and caller plus a light supper. For more details please phone Reg Anslow on 01630 685584
For information about all activities within the Parish, services, weddings, baptisms, funerals etc. please contact the Rector:
