WELCOME
Our Rector, Revd Philip Miller and our Associate Priest, Revd Claire Kiddy, welcome you to our Benefice Website
Claire has specific responsibility for the parishes of Brampton, Stoven, Westhall and Redisham.
Do please contact Phil (Tel: 01502 714786) or
Claire (Mob:07469 718695) if you have any pastoral needs.
Following the easing of lockdown restrictions our approach to worship has become more relaxed - you will find details in the "Welcome" document in the Downloads Section below.
Some churches will be open for private prayer only on the days shown below:-
Sotterley - daily during daylight hours
Weston - daily from 9.00am until dusk
Ilketshall St Andrew - Wednesdays (10.00am - Noon)
Shadingfield - daily during daylight hours.
Redisham - daily from 9.00am until dusk
Ringsfield - daily from 9.00am until dusk
Westhall - daily from 9.30am - 5.00pm
The Benefice YouTube Channel continues and you will find worship, songs and readings there together with other items of general interest. Please go to:-
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZRnb801h63ezGW0vXu8VXQ
Please see links to Facebook pages run by Phil and Claire below.
Hundred River & Wainford Benefice
https://www.facebook.com/RevPhilM
Brampton St Peter's & Stoven St Margaret's
https://www.facebook.com/Brampton-Stoven-St-Peters-Church-St-Margarets-Church-105879791762615
Westhall St Andrew's
https://www.facebook.com/Westhall-St-Andrews-Church-108740348138791
Redisham St Peter's
https://www.facebook.com/RedishamStPeters
The weekly Pew Sheet is available for download below
Reflections & News
Bishop Martin's Christmas Message
We have witnessed the incredible kindness of health care staff, of school teachers, of delivery drivers and so many others who have not just done their job but over and over again have gone above and beyond in acts of kindness.
Staying by our loved one’s bedside when we were not able to visit, making sure children at home had food, making sure that a parcel is delivered with a socially distanced conversation with the person living on their own. And family, friends and neighbours have been just the same, reaching out, checking up, going the extra mile with kindness. And having caught sight of just how fundamental kindness is, we notice when it is not there, whether in our own family, neighbourhood or work, or on the larger scale, nationally and internationally.
Kindness comes from the same word that means “sort,” as in, we’re the same kind. And that comes from the word kin, so family. And that is what we have learned, have seen so extraordinarily during this time, that we are all kin, across the globe, and kindness is what really matters between us, because we are the same kind.
God joins our kind in the birth of Jesus. God’s kindness – God’s love – is revealed in becoming one of us, to make us and the world a better – a kinder place. And we know that we respond kindly if we are treated kindly, so God’s action in becoming human, to be like us, to help us become more like him, is the supreme act of kindness to help us be kind. So we find ourselves instinctively responding in kindness to others.
There is a danger now though – we can lose sight of this truth very easily, and find ourselves being selfish, unkind all over again.
Christmas is the antidote, and celebrating Jesus’ birth gets us out of ourselves, out of our fearful self-centredness, back into the realm of kindness. I do hope we can sing carols this year – even if masked. One of my favourite carols begins,
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the new-born King"
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled.
And another, “While shepherds watched,” ends with
"All glory be to God on high
And on the earth be peace
Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men
Begin and never cease".
Both of these carols tell of the angels’ song when they announce Jesus’ birth to the startled shepherds. Their song declares that his birth is about God’s longing for peacefulness between all people. In these two carols peace, mercy mild, reconciled, goodwill, are all made possible by kindness. Unkindness does not produce peace, or mercy, or reconciliation or goodwill.
We are all so grateful for the kindness that has helped us and our world through these challenging times. Let us renew our instinct for kindness this Christmas when we celebrate God becoming one of us, and remember that kindness really is what makes the world go round.
+ Martin
Diocesan Video
Our Diocese has recently released a video describing some of the community work being carried out throughout Suffolk. Please follow the link below to view.
Flourishing Congregations - YouTube
Benefice Notice Board
Sotterley Chapel
Sotterley Chapel
Sotterley Chapel
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Safeguarding
Sotterley Chapel
Sotterley Chapel
The Parishes within the Benefice have adopted the House of Bishops' "Promoting a Safer Church" document, and have signed onto a Safeguarding Policy Statement.
Should you have any concerns regarding Safeguarding issues, please refer to one of the following:-
Reverend Philip Miller on 01502 714786
Reverend Claire Kiddy on 07469 718695
Mrs Ann Hastings - Payne on 07884 584106
You may also refer to the Diocesan web link shown below:-
Waveney and Blyth Deanery Synod
Waveney and Blyth Deanery Synod
Waveney and Blyth Deanery Synod
The next Deanery Synod will be held at St Edmunds Church, Southwold on Tuesday 5th April 2022 at 7.30pm.
Benefice Council
Waveney and Blyth Deanery Synod
Waveney and Blyth Deanery Synod
Date of next meeting - Tuesday 11th January 7.30pm at Shadingfield Village Hall