We are a small rural benefice in North East Hertfordshire, covering an area that includes Barkway, Barley, Reed, Buckland, Chipping, Nuthampstead and Newsells. Our nearest towns are Royston and Buntingford, but Cambridge is also within easy reach.
Our active churches are in Barkway, Barley and Reed (Please click on the service times tab at the top of the page to find out the times of our services); there is a redundant church is Buckland, where occasional services are held. (For addresses and postcodes of our churches, please press the churches tab at the top of the screen.)
As Christians, we seek to worship God and live out our faith in our communities and beyond, in word and action, through loving God and loving our neighbour.
We would very much like to welcome you to join us for worship or for any other activities in the benefice.
Full details regarding the benefice are available by clicking https://unitedbenefice.wordpress.com
Our United Benefice has been in vacancy since July 2022 but we are pleased to announce that the Reverend Mark Bridgen, currently Team Rector of the benefice of the West Sevenoaks Team Ministry and Team Vicar of St Mary Kippington in Rochester Diocese, has been appointed as Rector of the benefice of Barkway, Barley, Reed and Buckland.
Given the completion of the usual legal formalities, the Licensing by Bishop Alan will take place on Tuesday 21 May 2024 at 7.30pm in Barkway St Mary Magdalene church. Further details will follow in due time. In the meantime, please remember Mark, his wife Karen, and their family in your prayers as he prepares to take up this new role.in the meantime, we seek to worship God and discover ways to live out our faith in our communities and beyond, in word and action, through loving God and loving our neighbour.
Our United Benefice is proud to be a part of the Diocese of St. Albans in the Church of England, whose Archbishops, Bishops, clergy and leaders are absolutely committed to safeguarding as an integral part of the life and ministry of the Church.
Safeguarding means the action the Church takes to promote a safer culture. This means we will promote the welfare of children, young people and adults, work to prevent abuse from occurring, seek to protect those that are at risk of being abused and respond well to those that have been abused. We will take care to identify where a person may present a risk to others, and offer support to them whilst taking steps to mitigate such risks.
The Church of England affirms the ‘Whole Church’ approach to safeguarding. This approach encompasses a commitment to consistent policy and practice across all Church bodies, Church Officers and that everyone associated with the Church, who comes into contact with children, young people and adults, has a role to play.
The Church will take appropriate steps to maintain a safer environment for all and to practice fully and positively Christ’s Ministry towards children, young people and adults; to respond sensitively and compassionately to their needs in order to help keep them safe from harm.
Although safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone here at St Mary’s; Nicholas Tufton is our designated Safeguarding Lead and can be contacted about any safeguarding matter on 07768 526461 or by emailing [email protected]
Two very useful links:
More information on the Church of England’s National Safeguarding can be found here: www.churchofengland.org/safeguarding
More information about Safeguarding in the Diocese of St. Albans can be found here: https://www.stalbans.anglican.org/diocese/safeguarding
Recording and live streaming services
1) Following changes in worship patterns due to the pandemic, services from the churches in Barkway Barley and Reed may sometimes be recorded and or live-streamed. Streaming will not normally include images of the congregation, but of ministers and leaders. Any images of the congregation will be distant or in passing. There will be no images of people in close up, praying, or at the communion rail.
3) Worshippers will be advised if a service is being recorded/live-streamed through announcements in church and via the weekly notice sheet. A notice is also by placed at the entrance to the church and on the noticeboard.
2) Only ministers leading the service will be filmed, and, if those leading readings and intercessions are likely to be on film, their permission will be sought beforehand.
3) If children are going to appear on the recording or live stream, the express permission of their parents/guardians will be sought prior to filming.