Cradley Church, Herefordshire

Welcome to the parish church of St. James the Great in Cradley. The Village of Cradley is blessed with a splendid historic church situated in the heart of the village surounded by beautiful rural English countryside. Black and white timbered cottages vie with up to the minute eco friendly housing. The history of the church is a fascinating one, however, the life of the church today is focused on forward looking worship and remaining relevant to the village population of today ... while the active bell-ringing group ensure that the village is still able to enjoy the sound of the church bells. The church is open from 8.00 am – 5.00 pm in the winter and 8.00 am – 7.00 pm during the summer.

Why not support the work of the church and its maintenance by joining the Cradley Church 100 Club? Joining forms are now available.

During the first half of 2019 a significant programme of repairs was carried out at Cradley church, part of which was funded from a grant from the National churches Trust.

A MESSAGE FROM THE RECTOR

At this time of particular concern and national anxiety, the Church in our parishes and communities has a unique and important part to play.

Public Worship in the Church of England has been suspended until further notice, as part of the national effort to slow the spread of the virus and give our health services breathing space: but we continue to be a community of hope, of prayer, and of service to one another, and to God.

This coming Sunday, Mothering Sunday, flowers will be blessed and made available for collection from Cradley Church from the afternoon, to take not just to mothers, but to anyone who could do with cheering up - but please continue to observe appropriate social distancing and follow Government advice regarding when and how to self isolate or avoid direct interpersonal contact (espcially with older people and 'at risk' groups).

Continue to pray.  Please use the Newsletter calendar of services during these days, up to Easter and beyond, even during this time when services are suspended, together with resources which will be available in our churches for use at home.

Where possible, prayers and services will be made available on-line (including, we hope, via live-streaming). In the coming days and weeks, see this web-site, our pew sheets (which can be downloaded online from our news page) and our regular e-bulletins for developments - sign up below if you are not yet on the list! We hope to publish more about this soon.

Support: Whilst we know that many in our communities will keep an informal eye on friends, neighbours or family, Bruce and Sarah Herriot have kindly offered to help co-ordinate a system of Community Support, so that those who should self-isolate to protect themselves and to slow the spread of the virus can receive help where necessary with shopping, the collection of prescriptions, etc.  We'd be pleased to hear from anyone who might benefit from that, or be willing and able to help - please call Bruce and Sarah on 01886 880146 or 07813 663480, or me at The Rectory - 01886 880438, or email robert.ward776@gmail.com.

Prolonged social isolation can of course create its own tensions and problems. Please call  Jill Salmons, on 01886 880920, or  the co-ordinator of our small  group of visitors, Sue Ronan, on 01886 884646, if you'd like to be put in touch with someone, for a friendly chat or to break the tedium - which could be via telephone to preseve social distancing.

In words often sung with gusto, especially to west of here, and to the the tune Cwm Rhondda -  may the God of hope, who travels with us and blesses us even through these wilderness times, 'land us safe on Canaan's shore.' And God be with you.

Your Rector,
Robert Ward