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.

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 3^rd December 2023, Advent Sunday:

8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), Holy Cross
10.00am Café Church, St George
11.00am, Parish Communion, St Andrew
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 10^th December 2023, Advent 2:

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

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 17^th December 2023, Advent 3:

8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), Holy Cross
4.00pm, Carol Service, St George
6.30pm, ‘A Celebration of Christmas’, St Andrew
6.30pm, Nine Lessons and Carols, 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 24^th December 2023, Christmas Eve:

4.00pm, Christingle Service, St George
4.00pm, Christingle Service, Holy Cross
5.30pm, Christingle Service, St Andrew
9.00pm, Communion by Candlelight, St George
11.00pm, Midnight Mass, Holy Cross

Readings: 2 Samuel 7: 1-11, 16; Psalm 80: 1-4, 19-26; Romans 16: 25-end; Luke 1: 26-38

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.

Monday 25^th December 2023, 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

Readings: Isaiah 9: 2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2: 11-14; Luke 2: 1-20

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.

No service on Wednesday 27^th December 2023.

Sunday 31^st December 2023, Trinity 14, 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.

Sunday 7^th January 2024, 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 14^th January 2024, Epiphany 2:

8.30am, Café Church, St George
10.30am, Parish Communion, Holy Cross

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 21^st January 2024, Epiphany 3:

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

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 28^th January 2024, Candlemas:

10.30am, Café Church, St Andrew
10.30am, Parish Communion, Holy Cross
4.00pm, Evensong (BCP), 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 4^th February 2024, Second Sunday before Lent:

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

Readings: Proverbs 8: 1, 22-31; Psalm 104: 26-end; Colossians 1: 15-20; John 1: 1-14

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 11^th February 2024, Sunday next before Lent:

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

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 Services (Wednesday 14th February):

10.00am, Holy Communion, Chiseldon Church Hall

7.00pm, Benefice Communion, St Andrew

Sunday 18^th February 2024, Lent 1:

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

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 25^th February 2024, Lent 2:

10.30am, Café Church, St Andrew
10.30am, Parish Communion, Holy Cross
4.00pm, Evensong (BCP), St George

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.

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

Church Access

Church opening for private/individual prayer:

·St George: Wednesdays and Sundays, 9.00am-5.00pm

·St Andrew and Holy Cross can be opened on request either to the Rector or the Churchwardens.

Giving On-Line

When on-line services available, the three churches in the Ridgeway Benefice saw a considerable reduction in income as we could take collections, therefore we created the ability for people to donate on-line. If you could donate a one off amount, or even a regular amount by standing order, please see details for each parish here: St Andrew, St George, Holy Cross

Help and Resources

‘Daily Hope’ phone line 0800 804 8044: This is a CofE initiative to provide access to worship, prayer and reflections. The line runs for 24 hours a day and is free to call.

Online church resources: https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/church-online

A prayer for all those affected by coronavirus: Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy. Sustain and support the anxious, be with those who care for the sick, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may find comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

The Ridgeway Benefice publishes a short Weekly Newsletter with information about coming services and other news.

Sign-up or cancel your subscription to our Weekly Newsletter

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 Sutcliffe on telephone number: 07493914285 or contact her via email with this form.

Alternatively you can contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisers, Jem Carter on 07469 857888 or Suzy Futcher 07500 664800 and email Safeguarding Salisbury.

Our Pastoral Team

Meet our Clergy Team here.

The Friends of Holy Cross

We are a group of people – churchgoers and non-churchgoers – who wish to ensure that The Church of The Holy Cross in the village of Chiseldon is preserved and maintained for present and future generations.

Our aims are to:

Help preserve and maintain the fabric and furnishings of Holy Cross Church for the benefit of the community, and in support of the Parochial Church Council.
Raise funds to achieve those objectives.
Stimulate an interest in the building and its contents.

Find out how you can become involved and what events we have on at the Friends of Holy Cross website:www.friendsohc.org.uk

Diocesan Links

The Diocesan e-bulletin: if you would like to receive the e-bulletin please subscribe using the following here.
Diocesan Grapevine: if you would like to receive this bulletin, please subscribe here.

To contact us regarding any errata or new content that you want to be added about groups and events within the Benefice, links to other web sites etc. click here.