Our eight Churchwardens have been sworn in for another year to serve our parishes across the Astwick Vale Benefice for the year 2026-2027. The Swearing in Service, where Churchwardens take up office as Officers of the Bishop, representing the Laity of the Parish and working closely with the Clergy for the mission of the church, took place in St. Lawrence's church in Towcester, surrounded by churchwardens from other parishes, volunteers, friends, family, and supporters.We want to take this opportunity to thank all of our Churchwardens for all of the work they do in our parishes. For their organising, leading, cleaning, fund raising, leading tours, opening churches, staying late, coming early, and doing all this unpaid and with prayer.Asked for comment, the Rector said "They are all rather wonderful".Mr. Andrew Bellamy & Mrs. Kathy White serving St. Michael's church in AynhoMrs. Angie Robbins serving All Saints' church in CroughtonMrs. Jose Golding serving St. George's church in EvenleyMr. Andrew Harrison & Mr Henry Bankes-Jones serving St. Michael and All Angels' in FarthinghoeMr. Sam Mainds & Mrs. Julie Wirth serving Most Holy Trinity Hinton-in-the-Hedges with St. Peter's Steane
Musical Director to help refound the Parish Choir at All Saints church Croughton. A great opportunity to help people of all ages come together to sing. We are looking for someone to lead a choir for 2-3 services a month, with rehearsals, and rest periods guaranteed. In return, we can offer the support of our Parish Organist and Administrator, standard rate of pay, and an enthusiastic congregation in one of England’s 1000 Best Churches. This role can be tailored for the right candidate. To know more, please contact the Rector, The Reverend George Frost Telephone: 01869 810 903 : e-mail: rev@gfrost.name
A Huge thank you to all of the volunteers who met up to cycle between churches in Northamptonshire to raise money for historic churches across the county and for our own parish church. All money raised is split between the traveller's home parish and Northamptonshire Historic Churches, to help maintain our places of worship.Hardy Cyclists from Aynho, who normally meet to go for a trip around our beautiful countryside, met up this year to dedicate their time to raising money for the churches they visited. Zipping along the byways of Northamptonshire to visit our beautiful and historic places of worship. They were met by volunteers manning the sign in registers at the other churches, and offering refreshments to keep up energy during the day.Many people cycle for Ride and Stride day, but some choose to walk, or to set out on horseback; and even a few of our volunteers in other villages decided to carpool together. However you manage it, from a limousine to a pogo stick, it is a great day. A huge thank you to all of Aynho's Cyclists who took part, and who raised a lot of money for good causes in one pleasant morning.Well done to everyone. Do join us next year!
Our Benefice Palm Sunday Service in Aynho drew in over 100 people, more than doubling attendance from last year.We are indebted to our volunteers who helped bring the service together as we prepared for the beginning of Holy Week and the most significant 8 days in the Christian calendar. We were helped by our volunteer team of Crucifer, Acolytes, and Lector, who led the procession. Our retired clergy and lay readers who kept the service and the Rector on track. And we are grateful to the Tythe Barn at Launton, who brought their donkeys Del Boy and Barnaby to help us process to the church. Palm Sunday marks the time that Christ entered into Jerusalem, six days before his Crucifixion on Good Friday. Christ entered Jerusalem not as a king on a warhorse, but on a donkey colt. it has been tradition for centuries for Christians to make a procession to church on this Sunday, to carry palm crosses, and to be joined by a donkey. Donkeys of course, in memory of this, have a dark cross of raid on their back and shoulders. In keeping with tradition, we did not have a sermon, but had the Passion Gospel read out, telling the whole account of the last supper, the arrest, trial, and the crucifixion. Parts were read by members of our congregation, and many people who had not been to a service before, along with some regulars, found hearing the whole story unexpectedly moving. Join us next year at Croughton.
