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 2012 On that date this page was updated with the February Services, the Rector's Letter and the latest News.
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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 FEBRUART 2012 MESSAGE - This month it is a letter from the Diocesan Bishop
It really is bleak mid-winter for the planet Earth and its inhabitants. Even the wealthiest nations, including ourselves, have been living far beyond our means for years and it will be painful to correct this in a culture where ever-increasing wealth has been portrayed as a human right. What can the Church give to the nation to help us through the gloom?
As we put away our Christmas decorations and as Santa goes back to Lapland for another year it is good to remind ourselves that The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God (St Paul: Romans 8:18). The world is longing for credible models for living together in a time of recession.
The stories of Santa Claus or St Nicholas, Bishop of Myra in modern Turkey, are many and various but they all celebrate someone who quietly gave money to the poor and desperate. The most famous variation is about the man who had three daughters but could not afford to marry them off so they would have to be sold into slavery. Nicholas heard of the mans plight and put three pieces of gold down the chimney which landed in the stockings of the girls hanging out to dry over the embers. That story has inspired countless practical acts of kindness ever since.
This new year will be tough for many as they are made redundant. An idea which surfaced in the last recession could be revived now. If one out of ten people in a large firm are to be made redundant the other nine might volunteer to take a pay cut so that the tenth person could be kept on. It would give both the one tenth and the nine tenth a sense of all being in it together and to other firms and organisations it could be an encouragement to keep the Christmas spirit going into the New Year.
In a time of hardship God reveals a community which builds on trust and hope. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now.
We have one of the secrets of community building, which is to strain forward to the future reign of God in which the meek will inherit the earth and the peacemakers will be called his children. This is why we aim to have a lively Christian presence in every place. We are called to be nothing less than a model for a generous and hopeful community. That is not easy. But it is a goal worth striving for. Happy New Year.
Jonathan Gledhill, Bishop of Lichfield
Services for January / February / March 2012
Hodnet
Weston
Peplow
Sunday 29th January Christmas 5
-
11.00 am Parish Communion
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Sunday 5th February 3 before Lent
8.00 am Holy Communion
9.30 am Morning Prayer
-
11.00 am Morning Prayer
-
-
Sunday 12th February 2 before Lent
11.00 am Holy Communion
9.30 am Holy Communion
6.30 pm Evensong
Sunday 19th February Sunday before Lent
11.00 am Family Service
9.30 am Holy Communion
-
Sunday 26th February Lent 1
6.30 pm Evensong
11.00 am Morning Prayer
9.30 am Holy Communion
Sunday 4th March Lent 2
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
Hodnet News Still Small Voice: March 19th Monday 7pm at Festival Drayton Centre.
The Bishop of Shrewsbury invites you to an event which will provide space to listen to God's guidance in making His work count in our communities.
Put the date in your diary and come along. If you need a lift let me know. Charmian
Diamond Jubilee: Would anyone like to help me organise an event on June 3rd to celebrate the DIAMOND JUBILEE. If so please ring Janice on 685531.
Weston News Guest Organist: On Sunday, February 26th, at the 11am service John Bromley will be the guest organist at Weston. John is the gentleman who organised the Musical Evening held in November.
For information about all activities within the Parish, services, weddings, baptisms, funerals etc. please contact the Rector:
