THE PARISH OF HODDER VALLEY
Diocese of Blackburn
The Parish Churches of Saint Andrew, Slaidburn and
Saint Michael, Whitewell, with the chapels-of-ease at
Saint Bartholomew, Tosside and Saint James, Dalehead.
Rector: Revd Karen Herschell
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The Parish of Hodder Valley
Church Officers
Rector:
Revd Karen Herschell
01200 871254
07891 915671
Churchwardens:
Stuart Beattie 01200 446630
Allan Carr 01200 448634
John Cowking 01200 423855
William Leeming 01200 448100
Deanery Synod:
Margaret Brenchley
Wendy Leeming
Vice-Chairman: Secretary:
John Cowking Janet Haigh
Treasurer: Electoral Roll:
David Taylor Eileen Joy
Safeguarding: Wedding Co-Ordinator:
Margaret Brenchley Wendy Leeming
01200 448100
Additional Members of the
Parochial Church Council:
John Alpe Mary Beattie
Anthea Hodson Marjorie Pinder
Helen Wallbank John Whitaker
Co-opted onto PCC: David Mehers
Rector’s Reflections
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I am writing this in the week before Advent Sunday. Christmas still feels sometime off but at the same time we know it will be fast upon us especially as we make all our preparations, so it is good to remind oursleves that Advent is a season of watching and waiting.
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In the Epistle reading for Advent Sunday St Paul tells us in Romans 13 that “the night is far gone, the day is near.” This reminds us that Advent is about living in the light of Christ, even while the world around us may feel dark or uncertain. We are called to wake from sleep, to be alert, and to clothe ourselves with Christ, so that our lives reflect his love and his peace.
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In the Gospel reading Matthew 24, Jesus speaks of the mystery of his coming: “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Advent teaches us that we cannot predict or control the timing of God’s work, but we can prepare our hearts to receive him. This preparation is not about fear, but about hope. It is about living each day ready to welcome Christ—in the stranger, in the neighbour, in the quiet moments of prayer, and in the joy of worship.
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So as we journey through Advent, we look in three directions at once:
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• Backwards to Bethlehem, where God came to us in the vulnerability of a child
• Forwards to the promised day when Christ will come again in glory
• Around us to the present moment, where Christ is already at work
So let us use this season not only to prepare our homes and our celebrations, but to prepare our hearts for the One who comes to dwell among us, Emmanuel, God with us. In doing so, we will be ready not only for Christmas Day, but for the deeper mystery: the coming of Christ into our lives, our communities, and our world.
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As I look forward to my first Advent and Christmas as Rector of Hodder Valley, may I extend this personal invitation to you to join in the preparations of this season at our services over these next few weeks across the parish and the great celebration on Christmas Day. Whether you have been to church often or not at all, you will be warmly welcomed, for it is Jesus who invites you and longs to meet with you.
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My prayer is that as you gaze on the face of the small vulnerable baby you may know the light of Christ in your life and be filled with His peace, joy and hope, now and forever, Amen.
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A very Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones, from our home to yours.
With Blessings
Rev’d Karen
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From the Registers:
Baptisms:
26th October – Isabelle Lily Monks
at Saint Michael’s Church, Whitewell
Funerals:
5th November – Geofery Lamb
at Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn
Internment of Ashes:
16th November – Eleanor Waddington
at Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn
Service of Thanksgiving:
26th November – Betty Bainbridge
at Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn
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If you or someone you know would like a visit from Rev’d Karen
please let her know by telephoning 01200 871254
or email: revdkarenherschell@gmail.com
Please note that Rev’d Karen’s rest day is Saturday
and her usual Parish Days are Sunday to Tuesday.
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The Parish Home Group will meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at the Rectory from 2.00 pm for approximately an hour to an hour and a half. The aim is that we can come together in fellowship, to grow in faith through prayer, studying the Bible and exploring different aspects of the Christian faith so that we can deepen our love for God and for one another. You are all warmly invited. Please let Rev Karen know if you are interested in coming along.
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Services in the Parish of Hodder Valley during December and January
Every Monday
Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn – 9.00 am – a said service of Morning Prayer
Sunday 7th December – Advent 2
Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn – 9.45 am
A service of Holy Communion
Saint Bartholomew’s Church, Tosside – 7.00 pm
A service of Holy Communion
Sunday 14th December - Advent 3
Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn – 9.45 am
A service of Holy Communion
Saint Michael’s Church, Whitewell – 7.30 pm
A service of Lessons and Carols (no morning service at Whitewell)
Monday 15th December
Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn – 7.30 pm
Slaidburn Young Farmers Christmas Service
Tuesday 16th December
Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn – 9.00 am
Slaidburn School Christmas Service
Saint Bartholomew’s Church, Tosside – 7.00 pm
A service of Lessons and Carols
Sunday 21st December – Advent 4
Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn – 9.45 am
A service of Holy Communion - said
Saint James’ Church, Dalehead – 2.00 pm
A service of Lessons and Carols
Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn – 7.00 pm
A service of Lessons and Carols
Wednesday 24th December – Christmas Eve
Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn – 7.00 pm
A service of Holy Communion
Thursday 25th December – Christmas Day
Saint Bartholomew’s Church, Tosside – 9.30 am
A service of Holy Communion
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Sunday 28th December – Christmas 1
Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn – 9.45 am
A service of Morning Prayer
Saint Michael’s Church, Whitewell – 11.15 am
A service of the Eucharist
Sunday 4th January 2026 – The Epiphany
Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn – 9.45 am
A service of Holy Communion with the launch of the Diocese of Blackburn’s Centenary Celebrations
Sunday 11th January – The Naming of Christ
Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn – 9.15 am
A service of Morning Prayer
Saint Michael’s, Whitewell – 11.15 am
A service of the Eucharist
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Sunday 18th January – Epiphany 2
Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn – 9.45 am
A service of Holy Communion
Sunday 25th January – The Conversion of Paul
Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn – 9.45 am
A service of Morning Prayer
Saint Michael’s Church, Whitewell – 11.15 am
A service of the Eucharist
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THE CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL
Once again Saint Andrew’s Church at Slaidburn will be hosting the annual display of decorated Christmas Trees provided by local organisations and individuals. They will be available to view from Saturday 13th December, so please do call in and admire the beauty of the decorations, plus the church’s nativity scenes and seasonal greenery.
Our service list, which usually appears on the back page, has been
moved to the centre pages of this edition of the parish news.
We have a great deal going on in December and January with regular Sunday worship, carol services and other seasonal events!
You are warmly invited to join us for worship.
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Arrivals and Departures
The Diocese of Blackburn has appointed Revd Jane Atkinson, former vicar of St John, Little Thornton, to take up the role of Archdeacon of Blackburn. She will have oversight of parishes mainly in the south of the diocese including our own parish of Hodder Valley. Her service of installation was held at Blackburn Cathedral on Sunday 23rd November.
On the same day that Revd Jane took up office, the Right Reverend Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, laid up his Pastoral Staff on the altar of Ripon Cathedral, signifying his retirement from office. He visited the former parish of Slaidburn with Tosside on many occasions and was very involved with the creation of the new parish of Hodder Valley.
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During Advent, Rev’d Karen will be reading Archbishop Stephen’s recommended Advent Book for this year, Listening to the Music of the Soul by Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, a reminder that in the busyness of the season, Advent is a time for watching and waiting in prayer and reflection. If you would like to join with her in this advent devotion via a Hodder Valley Advent WhatsApp group, please do get in touch with her. The group will only be for the time of Advent and will be a space where we can share reflections, thoughts, comments and encouragements as we read through this book together. Our prayer is that we will continue to grow in our faith, spiritual commitment and in fellowship with one another.
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2026 is the Centenary year of the Diocese of Blackburn and Bishop Philip is encouraging all parishes to be involved in a year-long series of events and activities.
In his letter outlining the plans for 2026 Bishop Philip says that the three simple words – “All for Jesus” – explain why there is a Diocese of Blackburn and what our purpose is – an opportunity for people to come to know Jesus Christ either for the first time or more deeply than they do now.
To launch this Centenary year, the celebrations will begin on Sunday 4th January 2026, the Feast of the Epiphany. Every parish is being encouraged to use the order of service prepared by the Diocese, and the parish of Hodder Valley will meet at Saint Andrew’s Church that Sunday at 9.45 am. You are all invited to join us that morning and learn more about the year’s plans for the diocese and our parish.
The Centenary Prayer
Heavenly Father,
in our Centenary year
we rededicate ourselves and our Diocese to you.
Send the Holy Spirit to give us
confidence in our witness,
generosity in our service,
and love for our neighbours,
that your Church may be renewed
and many come home to you,
through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
