From the Diocese of Salisbury Grapevine Weekly 19 March 2026 Bishop Andrew to be the next Bishop of St Albans The Rt Revd Dr Andrew Rumsey is to be the next Bishop of St Albans, 10 Downing Street has announced this morning. (19 03 26) Bishop Andrew will return home to the diocese where he spent his childhood, and where his father served as a parish priest. In a message to congregations and communities across Wiltshire, he said: “With the announcement today that I am to be the next Bishop of St Albans, I want to express my deep gratitude for these seven years in the Diocese of Salisbury. The See of Ramsbury has been dear to me, and I will miss you all greatly. With this appointment, I shall be returning to serve the diocese that formed me: a wonderful new responsibility for which I ask your prayers in the weeks ahead. May God bless you and keep you.” Bishop Stephen said: “This is good news for the diocese of St. Albans, though very sad for us. Bishop Andrew has been a dearly loved and active Bishop of Ramsbury, and we will miss him hugely. It is, though, one of those powerful calling home moments, and I pray that Bishop Andrew and his family, and those he cares for as diocesan bishop, will flourish." Bishop Andrew is known and loved for his deep listening and pastoral skills, as well as his inspirational preaching. He has also released a series of three albums recorded in a single day in historic Wiltshire churches. He is the National Church lead Bishop for Church and Cathedral Buildings, and a trustee of the National Churches Trust and the Churches Conservation Trust. Everyone is welcome to join Bishop Andrew's farewell at Evensong in Salisbury Cathedral on 30 April. A YouTube Message from Bishop Andrew is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6LH1C0m1fI
Steeple Ashton Christians Together Advent Lunch Rosemary’s report s- On Tuesday 2nd December we held an Advent Lunch, in the village hall, welcoming everyone. We knew the number would be small; many would be attending the funeral of a village friend, and we had received apologies for aches, pains and had even considered cancelling! On my way to set up for the lunch, I met a man looking around the church while his friends went for a walk over a distance that he couldn’t manage. I took him to the Village Hall so he could use the WC (we do not have one at the church), I explained to him that we were having a lunch and invited him to come and join us as no one understands the instruction ‘bring a small plate of food to share’, so there is always plenty to eat. Setting up the hall takes no effort – everyone muscles in. We said grace; someone went off to brew us all a cuppa, and we began to eat. Then shortly after we had started eating in came my new friend with his friend - and another friend - and another two friends - In the end we had eight friends as guests and we shared fellowship and had a lot of fun together. In a nutshell our lunch turned out to be a great success. The donations pot was overflowing and we were able to send £125 to Water Aid. Join us on Shrove Tuesday for our Lent Lunch - February 17th (with or without a plate!) Update - Thank you to those who came along on 17th February as a result we were able to send £70 to the United Nations World Food Programme that sum would provide 187 meals to persons in desperate need in those areas the World Food Programme is operating. Christians Together exists in Steeple Ashton so that our churches can offer support to each other, and to all Christians in the parish. We exist to be a witness to all parishioners with or without faith. Amongst other activities, we host two lunches each year to draw attention to two important Christian seasons which would pass unobserved by an increasing number of villagers.
To mark our Patronal Festival we are having weekend of events on a theme of Musical Theatre. Friday September 5th - on Friday evening we have a Preview Evening to launch the weekend 7pm to 9pm - come along and be amongst the first to see the colourful and imaginative tableaus made by ten groups and business within the village, each display is based upon a different show. (Admission is Free)Saturday 6th September During the daytime we have a mix of things to come an enjoy.Walk around the church to view the colourful and imaginative displays made by ten groups and business within the village We have a Children's Story time at 11.30am and 2.30pm.There will be Coffee served from 10.30am and then later we will be serving Tea & Cake between 2 - 4pm. During the afternoon there will be live music - There is a return visit to St Mary's of the Hurdy Gurdy duo playing on their amazing instruments and Quintessential will also be performing.(Admission is Free)Saturday evening at 7.30pm We have a special concert by White Horse Opera who will be presenting a varied programme tilted Music from the Shows. (It could not really be anything else !)Ticket are £10 from the Village Shop [also on the door subject to availability]Sunday 7th September our Patronal Service is at 11am and is a service of Holy Communion led by Revd Katey Minshall.From 12.30 pm the church will be open for further viewing of the colourful and imaginative displays on the theme of musical theatre.
