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 3rd 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 10th 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 17th 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 24th 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 25th 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 27th December 2023.
Sunday 31st 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 7th 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 14th 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 21st 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 28th 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 4th 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 11th 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 18th 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 25th 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.
Newsletter
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.