The Benefice

Thorngate and Blackwater Churches

The Thorngate and Blackwater Benefice was formed in 2023 under a Pastoral Scheme bringing together the two benefices of ‘Thorngate’ and ‘East with West Wellow & Sherfield English’.

All of the parishes share a common vision: to Share God’s Life across all of our communities.

The Benefice consist of 6 churches (East Tytherley; Lockerley; East Dean; Sherfield English, Wellow; and, West Tytherley).  There is a Joint Council in place which has responsibility for the coordinating and supporting the 6 churches.

There are Primary Schools in Wellow, West Tytherley and Lockerley.  These schools are visited each week for ‘Assemblies’ (formally called Collective Worship) and many church members support the schools as Governors and going into the schools to hear children read.  Embley School, a large independent School (for 3-18 year-olds), is also in the Benefice with which we have links.

The Benefice supports a Pre-School Singing Group in Lockerley for children and their carers (Little Fishes); this meets each Monday of Term-time.  We have also started ‘Messy Church’ for families, which meets in Wellow Village Hall on the 4^th Sunday of the Month at 4pm.