The Ray Valley Benefice comprises of eight Church of England churches serving a group of villages stretching ten miles across Otmoor from Woodeaton, close to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital, to Ambrosden, a rapidly growing village near Bicester.
In 1987 the five parishes of Islip, Noke, Woodeaton, Charlton-on-Otmoor and Oddington were united into a single benefice. In 2001 this benefice was combined with that of Ambrosden, Merton and Piddington to form the Ray Valley Benefice under a single rector.
The Ray Valley is a beautiful low-lying area of Oxfordshire, renowned for the RSPB Otmoor Nature Reserve and its abundance of birds and wildlife.
The Revd Cortney Dale is the new Rector of the Ray Valley Benefice since September and lives in Charlton-on-Otmoor with her family. She is supported by retired clergy in the area at the moment but we hope to recruit House for Duty posts soon.
All our churches are keen to be welcoming and helpful to all, both those who are long-standing church members and those who are in search of God or trying to find a spiritual dimension to their life.
"Our Benefice is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults from harm. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO). Our Diocese’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor who advises our PSO. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the PSO, Mr Nigel Lambert (01865 331404 or [email protected]). or the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor, Erica Hegg on 07341 866832 or [email protected] or [email protected]. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority’s children or adult social care services."