The Loddon Reach Benefice was formed in 2005 and continues to flourish through teamwork across the four churches. The ministry team (see below), together with churchwardens, parochial church councils (PCCs) and a whole host of willing volunteers, share the work in the eight villages of Beech Hill, Farley Hill, Grazeley, Shinfield, Riseley, Spencers Wood, Swallowfield and Three Mile Cross.
We engage closely with all the schools in the Benefice, and are closely connected with our Church of England schools. To see school activity please click here. Our thriving churches play a large part in our local community life and in addition we are fortunate to also have a church café at St Michael’s in Spencers Wood and a village shop in St Mary’s in Beech Hill; so no problem in finding lunch or a coffee and cake!
Various regular activities and many events are held through the year, so please take a look at our activities and events page to find out what's on and to make sure you don’t miss anything. If you provide us with your email address we will send a regular newsletter – subscribe here. You can also hear the latest news on our churches' Facebook pages, too. Follow the links to the individual churches in the menu above.
We welcome everyone to join in our journey of faith and enjoy our services, receive our welcome at baptisms, weddings and funerals, and to be there for you when you need prayer. Our ministry team and congregations welcome you all.
The Ministry Team (2)
They share the various responsibilities of this diverse Benefice, collaborating and supporting each other in their service to God, the Church and the communities that they serve. You’ll see from the brief biographies that they come from varied backgrounds, and unsurprisingly bring an array of different skills, interests and experiences which complement each other’s ministry.
The Ministry Team enjoy tremendous support from churchwardens, church council members, benefice administrator, team council and congregations as well as numerous volunteers in the community, without which maintaining the church presence and life would be impossible.
Click here for more information about individual members of the clergy team or here for contact details.
Just moved in?
Just moved into your new home?
First of all, as a church community we extend the hand of welcome to all new neighbours.
Moving home is always a busy and tiring time. Once the busyness and immediacy of the practical, physical aspects of moving are over, and things begin to settle as you unpack and begin to make a house a home, you’ll probably begin to explore the area and what it has to offer.
A good place to start is by browsing the latest edition of our award-winning Loddon Reach magazine, which is full of church, community and local business information.
You can also pick up a hard copy of the magazine along with a welcome pack, freely available at the Benefice Office in Shinfield, Caf’Active in St Michael's Church in Spencers Wood or The Village Shop at St Mary the Virgin Church in Beech Hill. (Yes… you’re not mistaken… a community café and community shop in local churches!!)
We hope this website can provide many of the answers to your questions, but we would also be happy to visit you – just send an email to the Benefice Office –
