Nestling in the north of Staffordshire along its border with Derbyshire, the villages of the Longnor Benefice encompass the Peak District and the Moorlands, with rolling hills and acres of heather. We have three churches and two daughter-churches in the Longnor family, along with three Church of England Primary Schools.
Churches in our benefice are committed to Safeguarding and have adopted the National and Diocesan Safeguarding Policies.
Sheen Parish Safeguarding Ofiicer is Malcolm Hawton and can be contacted on 01298 402129
Other churches in our Benefice the Safeguarding Officer is Janet McNicol, who can be contacted on 01298 812053
We believe that the door to salvation is always open and so are the doors to our churches. We strive to show God’s love and concern for his creation at every opportunity. Through works of charity and opening our doors to listen and love, we feel that we are walking in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.
Sunday 9th November
10.10 am Longnor Remembrance Service | 10.45 am Sheen Remembrance Service
(11 am Warslow Morning Worship)
Sunday 16th November
9.30am Newtown Holy Communion
(11 am Warslow Holy Communion | 3 pm Elkstone Holy Communion)
Sunday 23rd November
11 am Longnor Holy Communion | 2.30 pm Quarnford Holy Communion
Sunday 30th November
11 am Sheen Family Group Holy Communion
1st and 3rd Thursdays in the month Morning Prayer at Newtown 10am
Sunday 9th November
1st: 2 Thessalonians 2.1-5,13-end; Psalm: 17 1-9; Gospel: Luke 20.27-38;
Sunday 16th November
1st: 2 Thessalonians 3.6-13; Psalm: 98; Gospel: Luke 21.5-19;
Sunday 23rd November
1st: Colossians1. 11-20; Psalm: 46; Gospel: Luke 23.33-43;
I am sure I have started my November “View from the Vicarage” every year with the same statement! “The nights are drawing in” and they certainly are. The clocks go back in October and November means dark mornings and dark evenings. I am not sure your hothouse flower of a Vicar is really looking forward to winter.
October seems to have passed in a bit of a blur as it was of course, Harvest month. Your other vicar was in danger of turning into a pie herself after going to 6 harvest suppers!! I was rather grateful to Bishop Matthew who visited the Waterfall Family Group on Butterton’s Supper Night meaning I only got to the auction – and scored a great jar of chutney too.!!
October also included the whole range of special services, baptisms, weddings and funerals. It is such a privilege to walk alongside people at such key times in their lives, and to serve as best I can. Anyone who says the church is no longer relevant to our lives needs to see how church can bring joy and care, support, comfort and laughter into people’s lives. I can sometimes feel a bit topsy turvy when moving from a joyful event to a sad one but am so glad we are still sought out when needed.
November is a big month too. As well as marking the inexorable march towards the Christmas Season, it hosts two very important services in the month. Sunday 2nd November is the Feast of All Saints and is traditionally when we hold services to commemorate the departed (otherwise known as All Souls). We remember always with both sadness and hope and cherish the memories the service brings.
And then it’s Remembrance Sunday, with the mix of formality, respect, tradition, and poignancy. Wearing our poppies is one way to show our respects, and being at one of the ceremonies is another. As the world gets more and more mired in war and tension and threats, we need to look forward praying for peace as well as backwards with thanks for what was done previously.
And last but not least at the end of November its Christmas tree Festivals and Lights Nights, Christmas Markets and the packed run up to Christmas via the 4 weeks of Advent. It may be dark and dreary outside, but in November our lives are full of activity, reflection, thoughtfulness, hope life and light, thanks be to God.
Revd Jane
