
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 January 28th 2010
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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 FEBRUARY MESSAGE
Dear Friends, Now that we can put the last decade behind us and look ahead, are there lessons to be learned from what the Queen described as best forgotten in her Christmas message and the Archbishop of Canterbury said were gruelling and difficult years for many people?
Our world and its people have suffered from the effects of war, natural disaster, poverty, terrorism and greed. Our financial institutions have been shaken to the core and many of us will face tough times in the year ahead.
However there is hope: hope for change, hope that we can learn to respect the dignity of every individual, hope that we can work together across the world to bring children out of poverty, hope for peace, hope for our planet. Our Lord Jesus Christ came into the world to bring hope, he showed that every one of us is a precious child of God and that our human family, local and world wide is important to Him. We are beginning to understand that we all have to work together to bring about change, in our families, in our community and in our world.
With love, tolerance and respect, you will be amazed what a difference you can make - let's make a start - together we can change the world.
With love.
Charmian
PS Thanks to all of you who sent Christmas cards and gifts. As always your care and generosity are very much appreciated.



Services for January / February / March 2010
| Hodnet | Weston | Peplow |
Sunday 31st January Christmas 6 | - | - | 11.00 am Parish Communion |
Sunday 7th February Christmas 7 | 8.00 am Holy Communion | 9.30 am Holy Communion | - |
| 11.00 am Morning Prayer | - | - |
Sunday 14th February 2 before Lent | 11.00 am Holy Communion | 9.30 am Holy Communion | 6.30 pm Evensong |
Thursday 17th February Ash Wednesday | 7.00 pm Imposition of Ashes | - | - |
Sunday 21st February Lent 1 | 11.00 am Family Communion with Children's Church | 9.30 am Morning Prayer | - |
Sunday 28th February Lent 2 | 6.30 pm Evensong | 11.00 am Family Communion | 9.30 am Holy Communion |
Sunday 7th March Lent 3 | 8.00 am Holy Communion | 9.30 am Holy Communion | - |
| 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 News A New Lent Group: You are warmly invited to join an informal discussion group which hopes to explore why we believe what we do.
Has your work and family life influenced your faith what is it about God and Church which draws you?
You will be able to share your own experience, your doubts and certainties and listen to others within the group.
The first meeting will be at the Rectory on Wednesday Feb 24th at 7pm and thereafter on Wednesday evenings through Lent.
For more details please contact Charmian on 685 491
Hodnet News
Valentine's Day: Services on Feb 14th Valentines Day will be celebrations of love and marriage. Couples who have been married in our Churches over the last three years will be invited.
Confirmation: The Bishop of Shrewsbury will come to Hodnet for a service of Confirmation on Sunday June 27th. If you feel ready to make this commitment and would like more information, please call Charmian on 685 491
Choir: We were delighted to welcome our new Director of Music, Rodney Bellamy on Christmas Day — now we would like to grow the choir. You don‘t need to be able to sight read, just enjoy singing. Please come to choir practice on Thursday evening Feb 11th at 7pm at Hodnet. A warm welcome awaits you.
Thanks: To Chris and Margaret Ashley for donating the Christmas tree by the Lych Gate.
To Mr.& Mrs. Heber-Percy for the Christmas Tree in church.
To Hodnet School for the wonderful Christmas Trees in the windows at church and to all the ladies who decorated the rest of the church so beautifully.
To the choir, the bell ringers, the cleaners, the congregations, the organist and not forgetting Charmian for making Christmas 2009 so magical.
Weston News Thanks: To Mr. Derek Whittle for the Christmas tree.
To everyone who decorated the church and made Christmas so enjoyable



For information about all activities within the Parish, services, weddings, baptisms, funerals etc. please contact the Rector:
Revd Charmian Beech
The Rectory, Abbots Way, Hodnet, Shropshire, TF9 3NQ
Telephone: +44 (0) 1630 685491
Email: charmian.beech@virgin.net



Here are some other sites - mainly churches - which may be of interest.
Anglicans Online Website
The Churches of Acton Trussell, Bednall, Coppenhall and Dunston
The Parishes of Lapley with Wheaton Aston, Blymhill and Weston u Lizard
St. Mary the Virgin - Selattyn near Oswestry
All Saints - Gobowen near Oswestry
St. Michael's Church - West Felton near Oswestry
St. John the Baptist - Whittington near Oswestry
The Bucknall Team - Stoke on Trent
Beckbury Group Ministry - 6 parishes near Shifnal
Bucknall Team Ministry - Stoke-on-Trent
Christ Church - Blakenall Heath, Walsall
Christ Church - Stone
Christ Church - Wellington
St. Andrew's - West Bromwich
St. James' Church - Wednesbury
St. James the Great - Norton Canes
St. John the Baptist - Armitage (near Rugeley)
St. John the Baptist - Shenstone (near Lichfield)
St. John the Divine - Horninglow (Burton)
St. Michael and All Angels - Chetwynd (near Newport)
St. Paul's Church - Newcastle - under - Lyme
St. Stephen the Martyr - Willenhall
Deanery of Wrockwardine - 13 churches
Deanery of Walsall - 16 parishes
Diocese of Lichfield Website


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