Life in the parishes
Below you will find the latest news on our church life. If you would like to receive the latest news to your inbox please signup below to our newsletter list.
Check below to see what’s been happening here in the Churches of Arden.
WREATH-MAKING 2025
On Saturday 22 November in the Church Centre, wreath makers were hard at work, and having fun, in creating some beautiful Christmas wreathes.
£500 was raised for Hamlin Fistula UK - the charity dedicated to preventing childbirth injuries in Ethiopia.
POETRY SERVICE
Over sixty people from the parishes attended Claverdon Church for a candle-lit service of Holy Communion written and led by Rev Dr Paul Edmondson. Some of the traditional prayers were, most imaginatively, replaced by poems and read beautifully by actors and locals to create a very special and memorable occasion.
REMEMBRANCE 2025
At Claverdon, the Remembrance Sunday service included the dedication of a new memorial plaque, commemorating four Claverdon soldiers killed in World War 1 whose names - discovered through research by local historian and congregation member Alison Hoddell - had been omitted from the original 1921 roll of honour. The story attracted considerable attention in local media, including BBC Midlands Today, which included interviews with Alison Hoddell, Rev Phil Hanson and Tony Lewis, father of Paratrooper Conrad Lewis, who lost his life in the Afghanistan conflict in 2011 and is buried in Claverdon churchyard.
At St Peter’s Wootton Wawen on Friday 7 November, the school took part in a special worship service in honour of the upcoming Remembrance Day. Each class contributed something meaningful to mark this important occasion - from beautifully handmade poppy wreaths, to thoughtful poems and heartfelt prayers. Every child played a part in helping us to remember and reflect.
HARVEST FESTIVAL 2025
At Claverdon, 65 children with parents and helpers took part in Messy Harvest on 4th October. They brought gifts for Coffee Tots, heard the harvest message of sharing and enjoyed harvest songs - then lots of fun, harvest-themed activities!
Beautifully decorated church for the Harvest Festival on Sunday 5th October with the Messy Harvest ‘Sharing Hands’ Tree, and harvest loaf.
Noah’s Story Box under-5s Harvest Festival
Claverdon School Harvest Service - year 6 shared the Harvest Loaf!
At Wootton Wawen, on Wednesday 1st October, we celebrated our Harvest Festival at St. Peter’s Church, and what a special occasion it was!
It was wonderful to be joined by family and friends as the children shared a beautiful selection of poems, songs and prayers – all reminding us of the importance of harvest and how thankful we are for the abundance of food we enjoy.
A huge thank you to parents for your generous donations towards the harvest hampers. These will be auctioned at the church’s Harvest Supper, with proceeds going to support local charities.
Community, gratitude and giving – a perfect way to mark the season.
Wootton Wawen school at St Peter’s. Some children’s faces are obscured at parents’ request.
WOOTTON WAWEN POP CONCERTS!
On Thursday 2nd October, Wootton’s school community came together for two incredible iSing Pop concerts at St Peter’s Church. Parents, family and friends were treated to a true celebration of colour, music and joy.
To prepare for this exciting event, the children had participated in three workshops with Emma from iSing Pop, learning songs and dances which focused on some of our Christian values. Respect, Love, and Responsibility. The children really engaged with these sessions, thinking deeply about respect, love and responsibility, and the importance of living out these values every day.
Moments like this remind us just how important it is to embed these values in our children’s daily lives—and the incredible effect it can have on our whole school community.
The children absolutely shone – singing and dancing their hearts out – filling the church with energy, smiles and community spirit. It was a privilege to witness the joy they experienced and shared with their teachers, families and friends.
A huge thank you to the lovely Emma from iSing Pop for leading us with such passion, and to Nathan, our brilliant sound and lighting engineer, for helping bring the performances to life.
“Music can change the world, because it can change people.” – Bono
CLAVERDON AND PRESTON BAGOT NEWCOMERS PARTY
Representatives from many church and village organisations came together to welcome
over 40 newcomers on 25th September 2025 at Claverdon Church Centre
CHURCHES OF ARDEN MID-MORNING MEET-UP
My life on the streets - a talk by Rev James Hanson
“Weaving the threads of life and faith in night-time chaplaincy”
Over 80 people from the four parishes were inspired by James’ talk about the work of street pastors - and £1110 was raised for Leamington and Stratford Street Pastors.
PRAYING FOR OUR CHURCHES AND OUR COMMUNITIES
Members of the Friday Home Group and friends visited our four churches in August, praying for the churches and their communities. A special focus for prayer was to ask for God’s blessing on our search for a new leader, asking that the person whom God has chosen for us may be filled with the Holy Spirit, ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
BISHOP OF COVENTRY AT CLAVERDON
Bishop Sophie was warmly welcomed to Claverdon Church on Sunday 6 July, presiding and preaching at our morning service of Holy Communion. Her visit was a great encouragement to the congregation of nearly 70 - she urged us to keep ‘pressing on’ while the search for our new incumbent continues.
CLAVERDON PRIMARY SCHOOL YEAR 6 LEAVERS SERVICE
28 members of year 6 came to Claverdon church on 11 July, with many of their parents - sharing their memories and hopes for the future, and being encouraged to ‘let their lights shine’ wherever they go.
CLAVERDON VE DAY 80 COMMEMORATIONS May 2025
Bellringing, Church service, beacon, fireworks, ‘Lest we forget’ exhibition, Voices of the Children, cake competition, Claverdon Conga, children’s street party and games. A weekend of poignant remembrance - and fun.
PILGRIMAGE TO HOLY ISLAND - MAY 2025
31 pilgrims from the Churches of Arden spent a memorable weekend in May on Holy Island, seeking to learn more about and experience the Glory of God.
We found it:
in our base at the village hall where we created a ‘Priory’, with chapel, refectory, cloisters and library
in the island’s beauty and constant kaleidoscope of changing colours - the sean and the sky and the rhythm of the tides
in the very special service of baptism in the sea, just off St Cuthbert’s island
in the inspiring stories of St Aidan and St Cuthbert - and the stories of Holy Island today
in the words and worship services led by Phil Hanson and Sarah Hills, Vicar of Holy Island
in the friendships that grew and deepened…and much more.
Follow the rolling programme below…
FLY-A-KITE AT WOOTTON WAWEN
AND PET SERVICE AT ASTON CANTLOW
EASTER 2025 IN CLAVERDON
Over 300 children at services for our primary school and nurseries, 70 children at the Good Friday Easter workshop, and a well-attended service on Easter Day!
ALPHA COURSE 2025
CLAVERDON VILLAGE ADVENT WINDOWS - CAROLLING TO CHRISTMAS!
CHRISTMAS 2024
CHRISTINGLE AND ‘NOAH’S STORY BOX’ ADVENT 2024
Claverdon Christingle service started in the Church Centre with Christingle-making - then the service in a packed church.
Candles were lit for everyone at the Noah under-5 Advent service the next day.
Christingle at Wootton Wawen
