THE SOUTH CLELEY BENEFICE

Serving the communities of Cosgrove, Furtho, Potterspury, Wicken and Yardley Gobion

St John the Evangelist, Wicken

Wicken is a rural village with a population of 300 from approximately 100 homes and outlying farms. Most people work outside the village either in Buckingham, Milton Keynes or commuting to London by train.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1587 two parishes, Wyke-Hamon and Wyke-Dive, were amalgamated to form the parish of Wicken. On Ascension Day 1587 the union was formalised and the Rector supplied cake and ale for the celebrations. Every year since then a ceremony has taken place, on Ascension Day to commemorate the event. After a short service in the church the congregation repairs to the Gospel Elm (outside the Old Rectory) to sing ‘All people that on earth do dwell’ and say prayers. Afterwards cake and ale are served (recently in the Old Rectory).

Wicken Ascension Day 2020

Tish Gordon-Lee and Graham Brack, Ascension Day 2020

The church is a grade II* traditional building with a very pretty lych gate. It seats up to 200 people and boasts a superb ring of 8 bells, said to be the best at their weight in the country. Sadly we do not have village bell ringers but local ringers practice here regularly and the tower is popular with visiting bell ringers from all parts of the country.

We have Holy Communion services twice a month, on the second and fourth Sundays and Morning Prayer on the first and third Sundays. A Family Service, which is a lively and informal service that is suitable for all ages is held quarterly - to check when it is on, please look at the calendar.

The Benefice Team of Priests and Readers take it in turns to come to lead us in worship.

 

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