Rector:
Revd Prebendary Dr David Chantrey M.A Ph.D
The Rectory, Beckbury
Shifnal, Shropshire TF11 9DG
Tel: 01952 750474
Email: david.chantrey@surefish.co.uk





We welcome you to this our web site which reflects something of the churches in this rural group of parishes in the English countryside.

'Centres of the Christian Community'
 These churches are places of worship, centres of the Christian community here, where we praise God regularly. Most of our churches are used for worship every week, and you will find copies of the service rota on the notice board at each church, and details of our services for the coming week on our notice sheet, which should be displayed on the notice board and available in church for you to take.

'Services on Church Search'
 You can also find details of our normal services on the pages for each church on this site, or on the Church of England's Church Search web site (http://www.church-search.com). Please feel free to come and worship with us at any of our regular services. We will welcome you and do our best to make you feel at home.

The Six Parishes
 These Six Parishes have only been linked together quite recently. Within living memory, each parish had its one Vicar or Rector. But the population is quite small (only 1100 in all six parishes), and the parishes are now served by a ministry team consisting of one full time Clergyman; one Methodist Minister (unpaid); and three unpaid Readers. All the people of the church work together in the service of God and neighbour. We hope to increase our joint witness as time goes by.

'No Churches of other Denominations in our villages'
Although there are no churches of other denominations in our villages, we are committed to working as far as possible with fellow Christians from all other denominations, including the Methodist, Baptist and Roman Catholic communities from neighbouring towns. All our church services are open to everyone, and all our sister and brother Christians who normally receive communion in their own church are welcome to share in communion with us. We welcome people of all ages to our services - young or old, we are all brothers and sisters of the one Lord, Jesus Christ.

'The Church Buildings'
 The church buildings are visible signs of the presence of God and a Christian community in each parish. We love our churches, but the building is only the symbol of God's love for us, and our love of God. It is possible to see an ancient parish church as a museum piece; interesting from the architectural view point; a show piece of changing architectural styles and skill in the development of stained-glass. A church building, especially one which has its roots deeply embedded in the past is a repository of the social and architectural history of the community in which it is set; but to see it solely as that is to miss the reason for its existence.

'Churches are not museum pieces'
 All the churches in this Group of parishes have been built to the glory of God as we know him in Jesus Christ. They are not museum pieces, but centres of worship for living Christian communities, and have been so since the day they were built. A church building exists as the visible reminder of the presence of God in the midst of life; it is a centre of worship; a house of prayer, a place set apart which speaks to us of the Christian faith.

'How to visit us'
 We hope you will visit us, and if you can't manage to do that, please do pray for us. If you do want to visit us, please note that some of our churches aren't marked by signposts. The roads are very narrow in places (so please drive carefully). The map on this web site should give you some idea where the church buildings are. I have also included a map reference for each church on the individual church page, for those who are good with Ordnance Survey maps. If you get lost, local people are always willing to direct you. They all know the way to the church. If they don't, suggest they find out - preferably on a Sunday!

May God bless you and lead you in the way of faith.
David Chantrey

These small parishes raise funds for their own churches, but they are always grateful for any donations, especially by Gift Aid.


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Ministry Team


Norman Owen

Revd. Norman Owen


Angela Chatham

Angela Chatham



Bob Hodgkins

Bob Hodgkins


Tina Dalton

Tina Dalton


David Bruce

David Bruce

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Map of Area

The six parishes of the Beckbury Group lie south of Shifnal and the conurbation of Telford between the A442 (Telford/Bridgnorth road) and the A464 (Shifnal/Wolverhampton road). The parishes are situated in the lovely Shropshire countryside, but within easy reach of all the main towns of the area.

Click here to see all the villages on small scale map. This will be shown in a separate window.

You will be able to see more detailed maps on the individual parish pages.



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Activities

Monday
Prayer Group at Kemberton - 9.30 am

Tuesday
Prayer Group at Badger - 9.30 am
Carpenters Club for the Under 14s at Sutton Maddock Church - 4.00 pm
Under 14's Youth Club at Norton Village Hall - 7.00 pm - 8.30 pm
Bellringing practice - 7.50 pm - 9.00 pm

Wednesday
Prayer Group at Beckbury - 9.30 am

Thursday
Prayer Group at Stockton - 9.30 am
Beckbury choir practice - from 7.00 pm

Friday
Prayer Group at Sutton Maddock - 9.30 am

Parish Bookstall
We also have a Parish Bookstall which goes to each church. This supply books, Bible reading notes and other items. Please contact the Rector's wife, Mrs Diana Chantrey for further information.



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Beckbury Group Newsletter
 A parish newsletter is produced on a regular basis. You may download the following newsletters in Word format and read them at your leisure.

Click here to download the April 2008 Newsletter (370kb).
Click here to download the March 2008 Newsletter (390kb).
Click here to download the February 2008 Newsletter (365kb).
Click here to download the January 2008 Newsletter (382kb).
Click here to download the December 2007 Newsletter (415kb).
Click here to download the November 2007 Newsletter (375kb).
Click here to download the October 2007 Newsletter (375kb).
Click here to download the September 2007 Newsletter (370kb).
Click here to download the August 2007 Newsletter (375kb).
Click here to download the July 2007 Newsletter (365kb).
Click here to download the June 2007 Newsletter (370kb).
Click here to download the May 2007 Newsletter (425kb).


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Forthcoming Events








March 2008
Thursday 20th 9.30 pm Eucharist at Stockton Church
Maundy Thursday 7.30 pm Eucharist at Kemberton
Friday 21st 10.00 am Six Parishes Good Friday Club for the under 14s at Sutton Maddock church (to 12 noon)
Good Friday 12.00 pm Devotional Hour at Stockton Church
1.00 pm Devotional Hour at Badger Church
2.00 pm Devotional Hour at Ryton Church
7.30 pm Good Friday service at Beckbury Church
Sunday 23rd - Easter Sunday - see individual Church Pages for services




April 2008
Tuesday 1st 12.00 pm Six Parishes' Friendship Club F&C Lunch in Beckbury Village Hall
7.30 pm Deanery Synod Meeting at Forton
Wednesday 2nd 7.30 pm Badger Church Annual Meetings in Badger Church
Friday 4th 7.30 pm Kemberton Quiz Night in Kemberton Village Hall
Wednesday 9th 7.30 pm Kemberton Church Annual Meetings in Kemberton Village Hall
Thursday 10th 7.30 pm Stockton Church Annual Meetings in Norton Village Hall
Sunday 13th 11.00 am Morning Worship and Baptisms at Sutton Maddock church
Tuesday 15th 7.30 pm Beckbury Church Annual Meetings in Beckbury Church
Wednesday 16th 7.30 pm Ryton Church Annual Meetings in Ryton Church
Sunday 20th 11.00 am Holy Communion and Baptisms at Kemberton church
Thursday 24th 7.30 pm Sutton Maddock Church Annual Meetings in church
Sunday 27th 11.00 am Holy Communion for Rogation Sunday and Baptism at Sutton Maddock church
6.30 pm Royal British Legion Parade of Standards at Stockton Church




May 2008
Thursday 1st 6.30 pm Holy Communion for Ascension Day in Beckbury Church
7.30 pm Farewell Party for David and Diana Chantrey in Beckbury Village Hall
Thursday 8th 7.30 pm Stockton Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting at Harrington Hall
Wednesday 14th 7.30 pm Ryton Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting at Garden House, Caynton




More details of some of the above events and a complete diary of events can also be found in the monthly newsletter. A list of Sunday Services and Special Services can be found on the individual Church pages



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Link to the churches in the group


Information

More detailed maps of each parish can be found on the individual parish pages.

The Services up to March 2008 at our various churches can be found on the individual church pages. We welcome Christians from all denominations to share communion with us.

If you or anyone you know is ill or housebound in our area and you (they) would like us to bring you (them) communion at home, please contact the Rector on 01952-750474.

For further information about these church pages please contact:

If you wish to comment on the design of the site then please contact the webmaster: Top of Page






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