Welcome to The Ridgeway Benefice

Table of contents

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.

Sunday 20^th April 2025, 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

Readings: Isaiah 66: 17-end; Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24; Acts 10: 34-43; John 20: 1-18 or Luke 24: 1-12

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 27^th April 2025, Easter 2:

10.30am, Café Church, St Andrew
10.30am, Morning Worship (not Communion), Holy Cross
4.00pm, St George’s Day Service, St George

Readings: Exodus 14: 10-end; Psalm 150; Acts 5: 27-32; 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 4^th May 2025, Easter 3:

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: Zephaniah 3: 14-end; Psalm 30; Acts 9: 1-6 [7-20]; John 21: 1-19

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 11^th May 2025, Easter 4:

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

Readings: Genesis 7: 1-5, 11-18; Psalm 23; Acts 9: 36-end; John 10: 22-30

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.

Sunday 18^th May 2025, Easter 5:

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

Readings: Genesis 22: 1-18; Psalm 148; Acts 11: 1-18; John 13: 31-35

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 25^th May 2025, Easter 6:

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

Readings: Ezekiel 37: 1-14; Psalm 67; Acts 16: 9-15; John 14: 23-29 or John 5: 1-9

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.

Ascension Day (Thursday 29^th May 2025):

7.00pm, Deanery Ascension Day Service with the Archdeacon of Sarum, The Ven. Alan Jeans, Holy Cross

Sunday 1^st June 2025, Easter 7:

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: Ezekiel 36: 24-28; Psalm: 97; Acts 16: 16-34; John 17: 20-end

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 8^th June 2025, Day of Pentecost (Whit Sunday):

08.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), St George
10.30am, Parish Communion, Holy Cross

Readings: Romans 8: 14-17; Psalm: 104: 26-36, 37b; Acts 2: 1-21; John 14: 8-17 [25-27]

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 15^th June, Trinity Sunday:

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

Readings: Proverbs 8: 1-4, 22-31; Psalm: 8; Romans 5: 1-5; John 16: 12-15

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 22nd June 2025, Trinity 1:

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

Readings: Isaiah 65: 1-9; Psalm: 22: 19-28; Galatians 3: 23-end; Luke 8: 26-39

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 29^th June 2025, Trinity 2:

10.00am, Benefice Communion, St George

Readings: 1 Kings 19: 15-16, 19-end; Psalm 16; Galatians 5: 1, 13-25; Luke 9: 51-end

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 6^th July 2025, Trinity 3:

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 66: 10-14; Psalm 66: 1-8; Galatians 6: [1-6] 7-16; Luke 10: 1-11, 16-20

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 13^th July 2025, Trinity 4:

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

Readings: Deuteronomy 30: 9-14; Psalm 25: 1-10; Colossians 1: 1-14; Luke 10: 25-37

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 20^th July 2025, Trinity 5:

8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), Holy Cross
10.30am, Zoom Service
4.00pm, Pet Service, Holy Cross

Readings: Genesis 18: 1-10a; Psalm 15; Colossians 1: 15-28; Luke 10: 38-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 27^th July 2025, Trinity 6:

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

Readings: Genesis 18: 20-32; Psalm 138; Colossians 2: 6-15 [16-19]; Luke 11: 1-13

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 3^rd August 2025, Trinity 7:

8.30am, Holy Communion (BCP), Holy Cross
10.30am, Morning Worship, Holy Cross
11.00am, Parish Communion, St Andrew

Readings: Ecclesiastes 1: 2, 12-14, 2: 18-23; Psalm: 49: 1-12; Colossians 3: 1-11; Luke 12: 13-21

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 10^th August 2025, Trinity 8:

10.30am, Parish Communion, Holy Cross

Readings: Genesis 15: 1-6; Psalm: 33: 12-end; Hebrews 11: 1-3, 8-16; Luke 12: 32-40

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.

Sunday 17^th August 2025, Trinity 9:

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

Readings: Jeremiah 23: 23-29; Psalm: 82; Hebrews 11: 29-12: 2; Luke 12: 49-56

Collect: Almighty God, who sent your Holy Spirit to be the life and light of your Church: open our hearts to the riches of your grace, that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit in love and joy 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 24^th August 2025, Trinity 10:

10.30am, Café Church, St Andrew
10.30am, Morning Worship, Holy Cross
6.00pm, Evensong (BCP), St George

Readings: Isaiah 58: 9b-end; Psalm: 103: 1-8; Hebrews 12: 18-end; Luke 13: 10-17

Collect: Let your merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of your humble servants; and that they may obtain their petitions make them to ask such things as shall please you; 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 August 2025, Trinity 11:

10.30am, Benefice Communion, Holy Cross

Readings: Ecclesiasticus 10: 12-18; Psalm 112; Hebrews 13: 1-8, 15-16; Luke 14: 1, 7-14

Collect: O God, you declare your almighty power most chiefly in showing mercy and pity: mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace, that we, running the way of your commandments, may receive your gracious promises, and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure; 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.

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 became 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

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].

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.