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A very different Church community

We, in common with all Anglican churches across the nation, are currently sharing our worship and prayer virtually, while our church buildings remain closed and we stay at home. But that is not to say that there is no ‘church’ on Salisbury Plain. Far from it! These are a few of the things we are doing instead:

We are sending out daily audio clips of Prayers, with a recorded set of readings and a reflection on Sunday.

We have created printed booklets for those who do not use the internet/computers, and sent an e-file to those who do.

We have also put together a booklet for families to use to help with worship at home, and to think creatively about Easter.

We have begun to host worship using Zoom every Sunday, ranging from more formal services such as Compline or Evensong to more interactive things such as Family Service and Bible Studies.

We have encouraged people to place crosses in their homes and gardens on Palm Sunday as a sign as we recall Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, and light candles on Sunday evenings in prayer

In our villages cairns have been created during Holy week, with people leaving a single stone or pebble at the church during the course of their daily exercise. These were transformed into Easter Gardens over the Easter weekend.

We continue to support those who are grieving, currently being able to share the orders of service for funerals with those who cannot be present, and offering phone support to those we cannot be with in person

We continue to serve our communities with many people signing up as volunteers to help those who are stuck at home.

We continue to be the Church, the Body of Christ.

If you are anxious about a loved one in this parish, please feel free to make contact with us, and we will do all we can to help you.

Church with a conscience?

The temperature has just plummeted on Salisbury Plain and it is always a stark reminder to us of what life is like for those who are homeless in this country at this time of year. Because of our promixity to Salisbury, the parish have long been supporters of both the Trussell Trust, and Alabare. But what does ‘support’ really mean? Do we really make a difference?

The things we think are important are: offering shelter. Occasionally people have taken shelter in the porches of our churches or even inside- where temperatures aren’t always much better. At this time of year, we’d rather they were properly indoors and so we try to ensure we work with local colleagues to offer decent shelter overnight.

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Celebrating Christmas in the Parish 2019

We all have our favourite type of service to mark this very significant festival in the Church Year. So hopefully as you look through our events section, you’ll find something that you’d like to attend. Whatever you are doing over the next few weeks, here or away on holiday, with family or friends, please be assured of our prayers and best wishes for a Peaceful Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Here is our listing of Christmas Services which you can also see in the Calendar:

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A busy year for our buildings!

When you have four listed buildings in your care, the need for electricians, masons, roofers, plumbers and most of all architects, is never far away. This year we’ve somehow managed to have work undertaken on all 4 churches, and there are more projects in the pipeline. What difference will they make?

In all four buildings we’ve needed to look at making the roofing watertight, leading to two churches being surrounded in scaffolding over the summer and autumn. In Tilshead we’re about to overhaul the electrics, ensuring better heating and light as we go headlong into the coldest months of the winter. In Shrewton we’ve had part of the floor up, replacing an old wooden platform with beautiful stone flags, lowering the ancient font and opening up the space for reflection, remembrance and welcome.

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Salisbury Plain Benefice has a new website!

We have a new website! We hope you like it.

Please have a browse, enjoy the photos and posts, and then tell us what you think! We’d especially love to hear from you if there are things we’ve forgotten to share with you….and don’t forget, the website is just a window into our world here on the Plain. If you want to know more, we’d love to see you in person. You’re always welcome.