Parkend and Viney Hill Churches
Sundays: CW Holy Communion / 10 a.m. at St Paul's, Parkend
Morning Prayer
Evening Service 5 p.m. at All Saints, Viney Hill
Wednesdays: Morning Prayer 10 a.m. St Paul's Parkend.
We move into Vacancy (i.e. be without a parish priest) from 10th February.
Because of continuing problems at All Saints (was heating breakdown, now blocked drains!) all morning services will be held at St Paul's Parkend till further notice.
Our expected Sunday services March - July are
10 a.m. St Pauls Parkend
March 16th Morning Prayer
23rd Holy Communion Brian Brobyn
30th Mothering Sunday Holy Communion Brian Brobyn
April 6th Morning Prayer
13th Palm Sunday Morning Prayer
17th Maundy Thursday Holy Communion 7 p.m.
18th Good Friday Reflections 2 p.m.
20th Easter Day Holy Communion Brian Brobyn
27th AGM & Morning Prayer
May 4th Holy Communion Ali Mepham
11th Morning Prayer
18th Morning Prayer
Holy Communion Brian Brobyn 5 p.m.
25th Morning Prayer
June 1st Morning Prayer
8th Holy Communion Archdeacon Hilary
15th Holy Communion Brian Brobyn
22nd Morning Prayer
29th Holy Communion Ali Mepham
July 6th Morning Prayer
13th Holy Communion Brian Brobyn
20th Morning Prayer
27th Morning Prayer
Evening Service every Sunday 5 p.m. All Saints Viney Hill
Morning Prayer every Wednesday 10 a.m. St Paul's Parkend
Please note: There is currently no churchwarden for All Saints, Viney Hill church. This closed churchyard is maintained by West Dean District Council, to whom all enquiries regarding its upkeep should be made. Any other enquiries regarding All Saints should be addressed to enquiries@parkendandvineyhillchurches.org.uk, or c/o the vicar.
Parish Safeguarding Officer
The nominated person for this parish isMrs Trish Ducker (01594 563074).email https://www.safeguarding@parkendandvineyhillchurches.org.uk or
https://www.gloucester.anglican.org/about-us/safeguarding/
The nominated person for this parish is
Mrs Trish Ducker (01594 563074).
email https://www.safeguarding@parkendandvineyhillchurches.org.uk or
https://www.gloucester.anglican.org/about-us/safeguarding/
Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals
For centuries, people have turned to the Church to help them mark significant times in their lives, particularly the birth of a child, the marriage of a couple, and the death of a loved one. We can't always explain why we want to call on the Church at these times, but, at the very least, something instinctive prompts us to do so. Even if you are not a regular worshipper, we want to encourage you to approach your local church to ask how they can help you to mark such times.
Arranging Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals.
If you live within the parish boundary of St. Pauls, Parkend & All Saints, Viney Hill, then it is usually a straightforward process to arrange a wedding or funeral in these churches.
If you do not live within the parish boundary then please do still contact us to talk about the possibilities.
For baptisms and weddings please contact Trish Ducker on 01594 563074 (email enquiries@parkendandvineyhillchurches.org.uk) and for funerals and burial matters to Mrs Anne Price on 07933533903 (email enquiries@parkendandvineyhillchurches.org.uk), - you will always get a friendly and helpful response.
If we cannot fulfil your request ourselves, we will try to point you in the direction of another church which might be able to help you.
Promise and Hope bereavement Cafe.
A welcoming space for those navigating grief and loss.
Last wednesday of the month 2 pm - 4pm at St Paul's Parkend.
PCC
The officers of the PCC are:
Chair Vacant
St Pauls Parkend Mrs Trish Ducker enquiries@parkendandvineyhillchurches.org.uk
Churchwarden
All Saints Viney Hill Vacant
Secretary Mrs Eve Hatch secretary@parkendandvineyhillchuches.org.uk
Treasurer Mrs Lesley Peffers treasurer@parkendandvineyhillchurches.org.uk
Churchyard Records
Dedicated to the memory of Geoff and Jan Weygood who spent over two years collecting and compiling these records, and in memory of Ida Bond who collated and published them.
A combination of the Burial Register 1822-1842 and the Memorials Names, omitting those of children who'died in infancy' without dates being given. When I have been able to download the 1842-1862 period Register this list will be updated.
List of known names in Lychgate Graveyard 1862 - 1950s. Please note this is a new project and will be updated periodically.
All known names and position in this graveyard.
All known names and position in this graveyard. This also is a new project and it is hoped to update this when time allows.
Eco Church
St Pauls is now a Key Ecological Site within the Forest of Dean. Recent work in the church has revealed the presence of several types of bat including the Lesser Horseshoe Bat. The outside walls and grounds are rich in rare and unusual lichens, fungi and insects; and we have large influxes of birders each spring to see our Hawfinches, Crossbills, and the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. We have also recently found Bee orchids (in 2022 we had 27!) in the old graveyard. August 2021 - first Slow worms seen! August 2022 first lizards seen!
To aid in this bio-diversity there has been a change in the maintenance of the churchyards - mowing has been altered to produce a 'harlequin' effect, with some areas closely cropped, some half cropped and two areas to be left entirely uncropped except for one autumnal mowing. This has lead to a massive increase in the diversity of wild flowers, insects and butterflies seen.
The church itself has made several steps to reduce its carbin footprint - l.e.d. lamps and a very energy-efficient CH system which draws out all the heat into the church.
February 2025 - The first snowdrops have appeared around the path edges and underneath the hedges making a welcome sight, the woodpeckers have started to drum and the mistle thrush is belting out its song from the high tops. Even though its still early in the year the Blue and Great Tits are already starting to pair up and prospect for nesting sites around the Church.