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.

 

Chiseldon PCC Charity No 1212313

 

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 Blackford on telephone number: 07940 839559 or contact her via email: [email protected]

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

If someone is at immediate risk of harm, please call 999 in an emergency. 

 

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.

 

Sunday 15th November 2026, 2nd Sunday before Advent:

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

Readings: Zephaniah 1: 7, 12-end; Psalm 90: 1-8; 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11; Matthew 25: 14-30

Collect: Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son was revealed to destroy the works of the devil and to make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life: grant that we, having this hope, may purify ourselves even as he is pure; that when he shall appear in power and great glory we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

Sunday 22^nd November 2026, Christ the King:

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

Readings: Ezekiel 34: 11-16, 20-24; Psalm 95: 1-7; Ephesians 1: 15-end; Matthew 25: 31-end

Collect: Eternal Father, whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord and King: keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace, and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

Sunday 29^th November 2026, Advent Sunday:

• 4.00pm, Advent Lights Service, Holy Cross

Readings: Isaiah 64: 1-9; Psalm 80: 1-8, 18-20; 1 Corinthians 1: 3-9; Mark 13: 24-end

Collect: Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

Sunday 6^th December 2023, Advent 2, celebrating St Andrew’s Day:

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

Readings: Isaiah 40: 1-11; Psalm 85: 1-2, 8-end; 2 Peter 3: 8-15a; Mark 1: 1-8

Collect: O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness we are grievously hindered in running the race that is set before us, your bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit, be honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

 

Sunday 13th December 2026, Advent 3:

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

Readings: Isaiah 6: 1-4, 8-end; Psalm 126; 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24; John 1: 6-8, 19-28

Collect: O Lord Jesus Christ, who at your first coming sent your messenger to prepare your way before you: grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready your way by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in your sight; for you are alive and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

Sunday 20^th December 2026, Advent 4:

• 8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), Holy Cross
• 4.00pm, Carol Service, St George
• 6.00pm, Nine Lessons & Carols, Holy Cross
• 6.00pm, A Christmas Celebration, St Andrew

Readings: 2 Samuel 7: 1-11, 16; Psalm: 89: 1-4, 19-26; Romans 16: 25-end; Luke 1: 26-38

Collect: God our redeemer, who prepared the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of your Son: grant that, as she looked for his coming as our saviour, so we may be ready to greet him when he comes again as our judge; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

Thursday 24th December 2026, Christmas Eve:

• 4.00pm, Christingle Service, St George
• 4.00pm, Christingle Service, Holy Cross
• 5.30pm, Christingle Service, St Andrew
• 11.00pm, Midnight Mass, Holy Cross

Collect: Eternal God, who made this most holy night to shine with the brightness of your one true light: bring us, who have known the revelation of that light on earth, to see the radiance of 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.

 

Friday 25th December 2026, Christmas Day:

• 8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), Holy Cross
• 10.00am, Christmas Service, St George
• 10.00am, Christmas Service, Holy Cross
• 10.00am, Christmas Communion, St Andrew

Collect: Almighty God, you have given us your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin: grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; 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 27^th December 2026, Christmas 1:

• 10.30am, Benefice Communion, Holy Cross

Readings: Isaiah 61: 10-62:3; Psalm 148; Galatians 4: 4-7; Luke 2: 15-21

Collect: Almighty God, who wonderfully created us in your own image and yet more wonderfully restored us through your Son Jesus Christ: grant that, as he came to share in our humanity, so we may share the life of his divinity; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

No service on Wednesday 30th December 2026.

 

Sunday 3^rd January 2027, The Epiphany:

• 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: Isaiah 60: 1-6; Psalm 72: 10-15; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2: 1-12

Collect: O God, who by the leading of a star manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: mercifully grant that we, who know you now by faith, may at last behold your glory face to face; 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 10^th January 2027, The Baptism of Christ:

8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), St George.

10.30am, Parish Communion, Holy Cross. 

Readings: Genesis 1:1-5; Psalm 29; Acts 19: 1-7; Mark 1: 4-11

Collect: Eternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son, anointing him with the Holy Spirit: grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children; 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 January 2027, Epiphany 2:

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

Readings: 1 Samuel 3: 1-10; Psalm 139: 1-5, 12-18; Revelation 5: 1-10; John 1: 43-end

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 24^th January 2027, Epiphany 3:

10.30am, Café Church, St Andrew

10.30am, Parish Communion, Holy Cross

5.00pm, Evensong (BCP), St George

Readings: Genesis 14: 17-20; Psalm 128; Revelation 19: 6-10; John 2: 1-11

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 31^st January 2027, Candlemas:

• 10.30am, Benefice Communion, St George

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 7^th February 2027, Sunday next before Lent:

• 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: 2 Kings 2: 1-12; Psalm 50: 1-6; 2 Corinthians 4: 3-6; Mark 9: 2-9

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 (10^th February) Services:

10.00am, Holy Communion, Chiseldon Church Hall

7.00pm, Benefice Communion, St George

 

Sunday 14^th February 2027, Lent 1:

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

Readings: Genesis 9: 8-17; Psalm 25: 1-9; 1 Peter 3: 18-end; Mark 1: 9-15

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 21^st February 2027, Lent 2:

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

Readings: Genesis 17: 1-7, 15-16; Psalm 22: 23-end; Romans 4: 13-end; Mark 8: 31-end

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 28^th February 2027, Lent 3:

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

Readings: Exodus 20: 1-17; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 1: 18-25; John 2: 13-22

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 7^th March 2027, Mothering Sunday:

• 08.30, Holy Communion (BCP), Holy Cross
• 10.00am, Mothering Sunday Service, St George
• 10.30am, Mothering Sunday Service, Holy Cross
• 11.00am, Communion for Mothering Sunday, St Andrew

Readings: Exodus 2: 1-10 or Samuel 1: 20-end; Psalm 34: 11-20; 2 Corinthians 1: 3-7 or Colossians 3: 12-17; 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 14^th March 2027, Lent 5, Passiontide begins:

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

Readings: Jeremiah 31: 31-34; Psalm 51: 1-13; Hebrews 5: 5-10; John 12: 20-33

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 21^st March 2027, Palm Sunday & start of Holy Week:

• 08.30am, Holy Communion (BCP)
• 10.30am, Benefice Palm Sunday Service, Holy Cross

Readings: Isaiah 50: 4-9a; Psalm 31: 9-16; Philippians 2: 5-11; Mark 11: 1-11; Mark 14: 1-end of 15 or Mark 15:1-39 [40-end]

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, Renewal of Ordination Vows & the Blessing of the Oils, Salisbury Cathedral

• 7.30pm, Benefice Communion & Watch, Holy Cross

Good Friday:

• 2.00pm, Good Friday Service (joint with St George), at St Andrew

• 2.00pm, Good Friday Service, Holy Cross

 

Sunday 28^th March 2027, Easter Day:

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

Please remember clocks go forward.

Readings: Isaiah 25: 6-9; Psalm 118: 2, 14-24; Acts 10: 34-43; John 20: 1-18 or Mark 16: 1-8

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.

 

 

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