If you wish to attend our annual Memorial Service and/or to have people remembered in the prayers, please complete the following form:
Continue reading Memorial Service 2021Memorial Service 2021
Changing perspective
I spend a lot of time in my car, driving between the four villages of the Benefice. I never tire of looking at this beautiful corner of Oxfordshire. Each season brings its own joy: the daffodils appearing in the verges, the May blossom and gradual greening of the trees as they burst into leaf, the changing colour of the fields as crops grow and are harvested and the way that the differing angles of the sun affects what you can see in the distance.
Continue reading Changing perspectiveAnnual Parochial Church Meetings 2021
Every parish is legally required to hold an Annual Parish Meeting to elect Churchwardens and an Annual Parochial Church Meeting to conduct other parish business, including to elect members to the Parish Church Council; for those members of the PCC to represent the parish on the Deanery Synod; to review the finances and the workings of the parish over the previous calendar year. The meeting can also raise issues for the PCC to consider during the coming year.
Following guidance from the Diocese of Oxford, and under special COVID-19 provision, our APCMs this year will be held virtually on Zoom on the following dates:
Chadlington – Monday 24 May at 7.30 pm
Enstone – Tuesday 25 May at 7.30 pm
Spelsbury – Wednesday 26 May at 7.30 pm
Ascott – Thursday 27 May at 7.30 pm
We encourage all members of our Electoral Rolls to attend these important meetings in the life of our parishes and Benefice. If you would like to attend the APCM of your church, please complete the simple form here and we will email you log in details on the morning of the meeting.
Below, you will find links to our APCM reports and accounts, together with nomination forms for Churchwardens and PCC members and minutes of the APCMs held in 2020. If you are unable to do so, please request a copy is sent to you by emailing Beth Sinclair, Benefice Administrator, here
Nomination forms for office holders must be given to the Rector before the commencement of the meetings by email or post to The Vicarage, Church Road, Chadlington, Oxon. OX7 3LY.
Continue reading Annual Parochial Church Meetings 2021Christmas services 2020
In the light of recent developments, we regret to say that we have decided that we cannot safely hold public services in our churches over Christmas. We know this is disappointing, but it is not a decision that we have taken lightly. Our primary concern has been the safety of those attending the services and potential risks to our wider community, and we hope you understand. All of our Christmas worship is therefore going to be moved online. and will be available on our website.
However, all of the Churches of the Benefice will be open daily between Christmas and the New Year from 10 am to 4 pm for quiet reflection and prayer. They have been beautifully decorated. Please do come to light a candle and say a prayer, or just have a moment of peace.
Sunday 20th December at 6.00 pm
Online Carol Service with readings and carols for you to sing
followed by virtual Mulled Wine & Mince Pies!
The service will be posted on our homepage at 6.00 pm or can be viewed later here. If you would like to attend the virtual gathering, please let us know here and we will send you the login details.
Monday 21st December at 8.00 pm
A reflective ‘Longest Night’ online service
A gentle service of readings and prayers especially for those who find Christmas difficult. The service will be posted on our homepage at 8.00 pm or can be viewed later here.
Christmas Eve
4.00 pm Virtual Crib Service online with all the usual fun
This service will be held on Zoom. If you would like to join us, please let us know here and we will send you a link to our Zoom Room
11.45 pm A short online reflection as we welcome Christmas Day
This service will be held on Zoom. If you would like to join us, please let us know here and we will send you a link to our Zoom Room
Christmas Day at 10.00 am
Online recorded Christmas Day Service followed by an Informal Christmas Gathering on Zoom
Gather you household together at 10.00 am to watch our special Christmas Service – it will be posted on our homepage or can be viewed later here..
Then at 10.30 am, join us for a fun Virtual Christmas Gathering on Zoom, where everyone from across the Benefice and beyond can come together to sing some carols, show some of the children’s (or adult’s!) presents, and celebrate the birth of Christ as a community.
Please come no matter the state of chaos you are in – whilst peeling the sprouts, surrounded by wrapping paper, sat on your sofa or even still in your PJs. Christmas jumpers and hats are very much welcome! Please also invite family you may not be able to see this Christmas to share this joyous space with all of us.
If you would like to attend the virtual gathering, please let us know here and we will send you the login details.
Sunday 27th December
Between Christmas and 2nd January 2021, the clergy are taking a break and there will be no public worship or online service from the Benefice. However, you are encouraged to watch the online service from the Diocese of Oxford from 10.00 am here.
Knitted gifts
Anna Marnham and her team of talented knitters have been hard at work creating some beautiful gifts ready for Christmas! Sold in aid of St Kenelm’s Church, Enstone these beautiful gifts can be purchased by contacting Anna by email at annamarnham@gmail.com. Goods can be posted at cost or collected at our 10 am Sunday services in Chadlington or Enstone [from Sunday 6 December]. Limited stock so order quickly to avoid disappointment!
Click on the first image below and the browse through the gallery!
Churches Reopen
Climate Emergency and Migration
Friday 7 February 2020
7.30 pm Friends’ Meeting House, Charlbury
Grand Quiz
Saturday 7 March 2020
7.00 pm at TIddy Hall, Ascott-under-Wychwood
Christmas Greetings from the Chase Benefice
Happy Christmas!
Thank you for being part of the church family
in this Benefice over the last year.
in this Benefice over the last year.
Thank you to everyone who helped out this year:
it has been a wonderfully busy one
with exciting things happening in all our villages.
Thank you to those who give of their time and those who support us financially: we couldn’t do it without you.
Thank you to those who just show up when you can,
it is great to have you among us.
With every blessing for Christmas
and the New Year.
Mark & Ilona
There will be a service on Sunday 29 December
in Ascott Church at 10.00 am
We have had some wonderful Christmas Carol services this year, with the Benefice Choir singing at both Chadlington and Enstone. As a treat for Christmas, you can hear the pieces that the Choir sang and also the congregation’s rendition of ‘Joy to the World’ accompanied on handbells by clicking here.
This, tonight,
is the meeting place
of heaven and earth.
For this, tonight,
is the stable
in which God keeps his appointment
to meet his people.
Not many high are here,
not many holy;
not many innocent children,
not many worldly-wise;
not all familiar faces,
not all frequent visitors.
But, if tonight
only strangers met,
that would be enough.
For Bethlehem was not the hub of the universe,
nor was the stable a platform for famous folk.
In an out-of-the-way place
which folk never thought to visit –
there God kept and keeps his promise;
there God sends his son.
Taken from Cloth for the Cradle, Iona Community
A special morning of Christmas fun!
Because of the General Election last Thursday, Enstone Toddlers, Babes and Bumps were without a home, as the Village Hall is being used as a Polling Station.
So we were delighted to be able to welcome them into St. Kenelm’s Church as well as some residents from Enstone House Residential Care Home for a lovely morning of Christmas fun. The Church was warm, the children enjoyed playing and listening to the Christmas story as well as another story about a grumpy innkeeper! We made a little crib and had a sing, and some of the children enjoyed a dance!
Thank you to all those who came and brightened up a very wet December morning. It almost made up for the last 5 weeks of political campaigning!
Chase Benefice 