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St Mary's may seem a surprisingly big church for a small village, reflecting its history as being the centre of the Mediaeval Stottesdon Hundred. Please see the New and Notices for a description of the church.

A message from Archdeacon Fiona Gibson to the Archdeaconry

Dear friends

It was announced from Downing Street this morning that His Majesty the King has approved my nomination as Suffragan Bishop of Taunton in the Diocese of Bath and Wells. That very formal sentence holds a whole lot of information and emotions behind the words!

I’m immensely privileged to have been chosen, and am excited about stepping into this new role in obedience to God, answering what was a very clear call from him. I’m looking forward with joy to learning how he is at work in the churches, schools, and communities of the Diocese and to playing my part, under the leadership of Bishop Michael Beasley, in serving, supporting, and shaping how that work goes forward in the coming years.

But I can also honestly say that the very real hope and joy are tinged with an equally real sadness that moving on means leaving here. Both are simultaneously true! It has been the joy of my heart to serve as your Archdeacon and to work with Bishop Richard, Archdeacon Derek, my colleagues in the Diocesan Office and Bishop’s Office, and all of you. The lessons I have learned here, taught by many of you, will stay with me throughout the rest of my ministry. The people and places of the Diocese of Hereford, and in particular the Archdeaconry of Ludlow, have become very precious to me. A part of my heart will always belong here and this Diocese will forever be part of my story. It is a very special place indeed, and God is clearly at work.

I hope that I’ll have a chance to say a more personal goodbye to many of you before my husband and I move to Somerset early in the New Year. There will also be information to come from Bishop Richard about the search for a new Archdeacon, and the arrangements to support you all that will be in place in the gap between my leaving and their arriving.

The Stottesdon benefice would like to express their thanks to Archdeacon Fiona with the work she has put in to help build the community and although tinged with sadness at seeing her leave the Diocese we wish her the very best in taking up her new role.

Carol Services in the Benefice

Thursday 11th Dec - Stottesdon at 7:00pm (Val Smith)

Wednesday 17th Dec - Cleeton, time TBA (local led)

Sunday 21st Dec - Silvington at 6:30pm (local led)

Monday 22nd Dec - Sidbury at 6:30pm (David Poyner)

Services in the Stottesdon Group of Churches for the next few weeks: everybody is welcome at any of our services in any of our churches (for a full list of services through to February please see the services and events tab):

OCTOBER 

Sunday 26th (Justin Bailey) 

Stottesdon 10.30am Holy Communion

Silvington 6:30pm Harvest Festival

NOVEMBER

Sunday 2nd (David Poyner)

Farlow 9:00am Holy Communion

Stottesdon 10:30am Morning Prayer 

Sunday 9th (Justin Bailey) - Remembrance Sunday

Cleeton 9:00am Holy Communion

Stottesdon 10:30am Holy Communion

Sunday 16th November (Archdeacon Fiona Gibson)

Stottesdon 10:30am Holy Communion - Group Service

Safeguarding: this church upholds the right of all to share in church activities in safety; see our Safeguarding notice on the main menu.