Welcome to The Ridgeway Benefice

Welcome to The Ridgeway Benefice

Welcome to the Ridgeway Benefice website, for news and events about the Church of England parishes of Holy Cross Chiseldon with Draycot Foliat, Ogbourne St Andrew with Rockley and Ogbourne St George. The Ridgeway Benefice is in the Marlborough Deanery in the Diocese of Salisbury, part of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding Policy: The Ridgeway Benefice takes its responsibilities surrounding the safeguarding of children, young people, and adults who may be at risk very seriously, and works in partnership with the Diocese of Salisbury to ensure that we work in accordance with best practice at all times. Our Parish/Benefice Safeguarding Policy (which is that of the Diocese of Salisbury and the National Church) can be viewed and downloaded here.

If you have any Safeguarding questions or concerns you can contact our Benefice Safeguarding Officer, Linda Disson on telephone number: 07493914285 or contact her via email with this form.

Alternatively you can contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team on 01722 438651 or [email protected].

Services in The Ridgeway Benefice:

Mid-week services: There is a said service of Holy Communion at Chiseldon Church Hall on Wednesdays at 10.00am. 

St Andrew is closed for services due to refurbishment.

Sunday 18^th January 2026, Epiphany 2:

• 8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), Holy Cross
• 10.30am, Morning Worship, Holy Cross

Readings: Isaiah 49: 1-7; Psalm 40: 1-12; 1 Corinthians 1: 1-9; John 1: 29-42

Collect: Almighty God, in Christ you make all things new: transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

Sunday 25^th January 2026, Epiphany 3:

• 10.30am, Café Church, in Ogbourne Maizey
• 10.30am, Parish Communion, Holy Cross
• 5.00pm, Evensong (BCP), St George

Readings: Isaiah 9: 1-4; Psalm 27: 1, 4-12; 1 Corinthians 1: 10-18; Matthew 4: 12-23

Collect: Almighty God, whose Son revealed in signs and miracles the wonder of your saving presence: renew your people with your heavenly grace, and in all our weakness sustain us by your mighty power; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

Sunday 1^st February 2026, Candlemas:

• 8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), Holy Cross
• 10.00am, Café Church, St George
• 10.30am, Café Church, Holy Cross Church Hall

Readings: Malachi 3: 1-5; Psalm 24: 7-end; Hebrews 2: 14-end; Luke 2: 22-40

Collect: Almighty and ever-living God, clothed in majesty, whose beloved Son was this day presented in the Temple, in substance of our flesh: grant that we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts, by your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday 8^th February 2026, 2^nd Sunday before Lent:

• 8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), St George
• 10.30am, Parish Communion, Holy Cross

Readings: Genesis 1: 1-2:3; Psalm 136; Romans 8: 18-25; Matthew 6: 25-end

Collect: Almighty God, you have created the heavens and the earth and made us in your own image: teach us to discern your hand in all your works and your likeness in all your children; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns supreme over all things, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday 15th February 2026, Sunday next before Lent:

• 8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), Holy Cross
• 10.30am, Zoom Service (joining details below)

Readings: Exodus 24: 12-end; Psalm 2; 2 Peter 1: 16-end; Matthew 17: 1-9

Collect: Almighty Father, whose Son was revealed in majesty before he suffered death upon the cross: give us grace to perceive his glory, that we may be strengthened to suffer with him and be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Ash Wednesday Services (18th February):

10.00am, Chiseldon Church Hall

7.00pm, St George

Sunday 22^nd February 2026, Lent 1:

• 10.30am, Café Church, St Andrew
• 10.30am, Parish Communion, Holy Cross
• 5.00pm, Evensong (BCP), St George

Readings: Genesis 2: 15-17 – 17: 3, 1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5: 12-19; Matthew 4: 1-11

Collect: Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness, and was tempted as we are, yet without sin: give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit; and, as you know our weakness, so may we know your power to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday 1^st March 2026, Lent 2:

• 8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), Holy Cross
• 10.00am Café Church, St George
• 10.30am, Morning Worship, Holy Cross

Readings: Genesis 12: 1-4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4: 1-5, 13-17; John 3: 1-17

Collect: Almighty God, you show to those who are in error the light of your truth, that they may return to the way of righteousness: grant to all those who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s religion, that they may reject those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday 8^th March 2026, Lent 3:

• 8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), St George
• 10.30am, Parish Communion, Holy Cross

Readings: Exodus 17: 1-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5: 1-11; John 4: 5-42

Collect: Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday 15^th March 2026, Mothering Sunday:

• 8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), Holy Cross
• 10.00am, Mothering Sunday Service, St George
• 10.30am, Mothering Sunday Service, Holy Cross

Readings: Exodus 2: 1-10; Psalm 34: 11-20; 2 Corinthians 1: 3-7; Luke 2: 33-35 or John 19: 25b-27

Collect: God of compassion, whose Son Jesus Christ, the child of Mary, shared the life of a home in Nazareth, and on the cross drew the whole human family to himself: strengthen us in our daily living that in joy and in sorrow we may know the power of your presence to bind together and to heal; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday 22^nd March 2026, Passiontide begins:

• 10.30am Café Church, St Andrew
• 10.30am, Parish Communion, Holy Cross
• 6.00pm, Evensong (BCP), St George

Readings: Ezekiel 37: 1-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8: 6-11; John 11: 1-45

Collect: Most merciful God, who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ delivered and saved the world: grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross we may triumph in the power of his victory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday 29^th March 2026, Palm Sunday, start of Holy Week:

• 10.30am, Benefice Communion, Holy Cross

Readings: Isaiah 50: 4-9a; Psalm 31: 9-16; Philippians 2: 5-11; Matthew 26: 14-end of 27 or Matthew 27: 11-54

Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Maundy Thursday:

• 11.00am, Blessing of the Oils & Renewal of Ordination Vows, Salisbury Cathedral

• 7.00pm, Benefice Communion, Holy Cross

Good Friday:

• 2.00pm, Good Friday Service, St George

• 2.00pm, Good Friday Service, Holy Cross

Sunday 5^th April 2026, Easter Day:

• 8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), Holy Cross
• 10.00am, Parish Communion, St George
• 10.30am, Parish Communion, Holy Cross

Readings: Jeremiah 31: 1-6; Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24; Acts 10: 34-43; John 20: 1-18 or Matthew 28: 1-10

Collect: Lord of all life and power, who through the mighty resurrection of your Son overcame the old order of sin and death to make all things new in him: grant that we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, may reign with him in glory; to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be praise and honour, glory and might, now and in all eternity. Amen.

Sunday 12th April 2026, Easter 2:

• 8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), St George
• 10.30am, Parish Communion, Holy Cross

Readings: Acts 2: 14a, 22-32; Psalm 16; 1 Peter 1: 3-9; John 20: 19-end

Collect: Almighty Father, you have given your only Son to die for our sins and to rise again for our justification: grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness that we may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday 19th April 2026, Easter 3:

• 8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), Holy Cross
• 10.30am, Morning Worship, Holy Cross

Readings: Acts 2: 14a, 36-41; Psalm 116: 1-7; 1 Peter 1: 17-23; Luke 24: 13-35

Collect: Almighty Father, who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples with the sight of the risen Lord: give us such knowledge of his presence with us, that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life and serve you continually in righteousness and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

 

Sunday 26^th April 2026, Easter 4, celebrating St George’s Day:

• 10.30am, Café Church, St Andrew
• 10.30am, Parish Communion, Holy Cross
• 4.00pm, St George’s Day Service, St George

Readings: Acts 2: 42-end; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2: 19-end or Revelation 12: 7-12; John 10: 1-10 or John 15: 18-21

Collect: Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life: raise us, who trust in him, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness, that we may seek those things which are above, where he reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

God of hosts, who so kindled the flame of love in the heart of your servant George that he bore witness to the risen Lord by his life and by his death: give us the same faith and power of love that we who rejoice in his triumphs may come to share with him the fullness of the resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

Sunday 3^rd May 2026, Easter 5:

• 8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), Holy Cross
• 10.00am Café Church, St George
• 10.30am, Morning Worship, Holy Cross

Readings: Acts 7: 55-end; Psalm 31: 1-5, 15-16; 1 Peter 2: 2-10; John 14: 1-14

Collect: Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ have overcome death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: grant that, as by your grace going before us you put into our minds good desires, so by your continual help we may bring them to good effect; through Jesus Christ our risen Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday 10th May 2026, Easter 6, Christian Aid Week:

• 8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), St George
• 10.30am, Parish Communion for Christian Aid Week, Holy Cross

Readings: Acts 17: 22-31; Psalm 66: 7-end; 1 Peter 3: 13-end; John 14: 15-21

Collect: God our redeemer, you have delivered us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of your Son: grant, that as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his continual presence in us he may raise us to eternal joy; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday 17^th May 2026, Easter 7:

• 8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), Holy Cross
• 10.30am, Zoom Service, joining details below

Readings: Acts 1: 6-14; Psalm 68: 1-10, 32-end; 1 Peter 4: 12-14, 5: 6-11; John 17: 1-11

Collect: O God the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: we beseech you, leave us not comfortless, but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday 24^th May 2026, Day of Pentecost:

• 10.30am, Café Church, St Andrew
• 10.30am, Parish Communion, Holy Cross
• 6.00pm, Evensong (BCP), St George

Readings: Acts 2: 1-21; Psalm 104: 26-36, 37b; 1 Corinthians 12: 3b-13; John 20: 19-23 or John 7: 37-39

Collect: God, who as at this time taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgement in all things and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday 31^st May 2026, Trinity Sunday:

• 10.00am, Benefice Communion, St George

Readings: Isaiah 40: 12-17, 27-end; Psalm 8; 2 Corinthians 13: 11-end; Matthew 28: 16-end

Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, you have given us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity and in the power of the divine majesty to worship the Unity: keep us steadfast in this faith, that we may evermore be defended from all adversities; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday 7^th June 2026, Trinity 1:

• 8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), Holy Cross
• 10.00am, Café Church, St George
• 10.30am, Café Church, Holy Cross
• 11.00am, Parish Communion, St Andrew

Readings: Hosea 5: 15-6:6; Psalm 50: 7-15; Romans 4: 13-end; Matthew 9: 9-13, 18-26

Collect: O God, the strength of all those who put their trust in you, mercifully accept our prayers and, because through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do no good thing without you, grant us the help of your grace, that in the keeping of your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday 14th June 2026, Trinity 2:

• 8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), St George
• 10.30am, Parish Communion

Readings: Exodus 19: 2-8a; Psalm 100; Romans 5: 1-8; Matthew 9: 35-10:8 [9-23]

Collect: Lord, you have taught us that all our doings without love are nothing worth: send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, the true bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whoever lives is counted dead before you. Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday 21^st June 2026, Trinity 3:

• 8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP)
• 10.30am, Zoom Service

Readings: Jeremiah 20: 7-13; Psalm 69: 8-11 [12-17]; Romans 6: 1b-11; Matthew 10: 24-39

Collect: Almighty God, you have broken the tyranny of sin and have sent the Spirit of your Son into our hearts whereby we call you Father: give us grace to dedicate our freedom to your service, that we and all creation may be brought to the glorious liberty of the children of God; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday 28^th June 2026, Trinity 4:

• 10.30am, Cafe Church, St Andrew
• 10.30am, Parish Communion, Holy Cross
• 6.00pm, Evensong (BCP), St George

Readings: Jeremiah 28: 5-9; Psalm 89: 1-4, 15-18; Romans 6: 12-end; Matthew 10: 40-end

Collect: O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that with you as our ruler and guide we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not our hold on things eternal; grant this, heavenly Father, for our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday 5^th July 2026, Trinity 5:

• 8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), Holy Cross
• 10.00am, Café Church, St George
• 10.30am, Morning Worship, Holy Cross
• 11.00am, Parish Communion, St Andrew

Readings: Zechariah 9: 9-12; Psalm 145: 8-15; Romans 7: 15-25a; Matthew 11: 16-19, 25-end

Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people, that in their vocation and ministry they may serve you in holiness and truth to the glory of your name; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday 12^th July 2026, Trinity 6:

• 8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), St George
• 10.30am, Parish Communion, Holy Cross

Readings: Isaiah 55: 10-13; Psalm 65; Romans 8: 1-11; Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23

Collect: Merciful God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as pass our understanding: pour into our hearts such love toward you that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday 19^th July 2026, Trinity 7:

• 8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), Holy Cross
• 10.30am, Zoom Service

Readings: Wisdom 12: 13, 16-19; Psalm 86: 11-end; Romans 8: 12-25; Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43

Collect: Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: graft in our hearts the love of your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of your great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday 26^th July 2026, Trinity 8:

• 10.30am, Café Church, St Andrew
• 10.30am, Parish Communion, Holy Cross
• 6.00pm, Evensong (BCP), St George

Readings: 1 Kings 3: 5-12; Psalm 119: 129-136; Romans 8: 26-end; Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52

Collect: Almighty Lord and everlasting God, we beseech you to direct, sanctify and govern both our hearts and bodies in the ways of your laws and the works of your commandments; that through your most mighty protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

Mid-week services: There is a said service of Holy Communion at Chiseldon Church Hall on Wednesdays at 10.00am.