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 5th October
9.30 am Newtown Morning Prayer | 11 am Sheen Holy Communion
(11 am Warslow Morning Worship)
Sunday 12th October
11 am Longnor Holy Communion | 2.30 pm Quarnford Holy Communion
(2 pm Warslow Harvest Festival)
Sunday 19th October
9.30am Newtown Holy Communion | 11.30 am Sheen Wakes Service
2 pm Reapsmoor Service of Thanksgiving with Bishop Matthew and Archdeacon Megan
(3pm Elkstones Holy Communion)
Sunday 26th October
11 am Longnor Morning Prayer | 2.30 pm Quarnford Evening Prayer
Sunday 2nd November
9.30 am Sheen All Souls Service | 11 am Longnor All Souls Service | 2.30 pm Quarnford All Souls Service
(11 am Warslow Morning Worship)
1st and 3rd Thursdays in the month Morning Prayer at Newtown 10am
Sunday 5th October
1st Reading: 2 Timothy 1.1-14; Paslm: 137; Gospel: Luke 17. 5-10
Sunday 12th October
1st Reading: 2 Timothy 2. 8-15; Psalm: 66. 1-11; Gospel: Luke 17. 11-19
Sunday 19th October
1st Reading: 2 Timothy 3.14-4.5; Psalm: 119. 97-104; Gospel: Luke 18. 1-8
Sunday 26th October
1st Reading: 2 Timothy 4. 6-8,16-18; Psalm: 146; Gospel: Luke 18. 9-14
Looking at the wonderful well dressing in Longnor depicting Father John, I was filled with sadness and a renewed sense of loss and a surprised realisation how much time had already gone by since his death. As Autumn draws in I sometimes muse on how loss is very much part of the mood, loss of the summer, the warmth, the fruitfulness and the busyness. Autumn has come early this year, and as the changing season rolls by, so we look towards the changes in our church year in October, with the rest of the harvest festivals, the made stewing baking and freezing of fruit, the making of Jams and chutneys and ending appropriately enough with All Souls. A time to remember with love as well as sadness. And then we are on the roll towards Christmas. There is a reassurance in the annual roll of the year that I take comfort from. Somehow it makes me feel safe in God’s hands, in the creation he made, with the rhythm of worship developed from Jesus’s life and death 2,000 years ago.
We know that the world is at times a scary place. Human life is fragile, and we all face many challenges over our life span, The stresses of life can at times be overwhelming. But the joys in life more than compensate. This morning, the view as I drove over the tops made my spirits lift and my heart rejoice. Whatever the weather, whatever the challenges, Jesus’ promise holds good. We are held in God’s hands. We know, as Mother Julian said, with God, all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well. Have a great October everyone.
Revd Jane
