Newsletter September 2025

Dear Friends,

How do we manage to get the right balance between our family and work commitments, our friendships and hobbies, and at the same time find space for our spiritual lives? The story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42), which we reflected on over the summer, has a lot to teach us as we try to juggle our busy lives but at the same time make time for God. This is a real challenge because, like Martha, we can easily get distracted or worried by a myriad of things. The most important thing we learn from this story is to make God and our spiritual wellbeing a priority. This may require adjustments by ourselves or by others around us. Of course, our practical commitments and responsibilities will always be there. We can’t neglect or overlook those. However, it is vitally important to make time to ‘be’ with God each day. For our spiritual wellbeing is as is essential to our overall wellbeing us as exercising and healthy eating. What small change could you make to your daily routine to give yourself that little bit more time to ‘be’ with God? The story of the two sisters is a good reminder to us that we need balance in our lives. This gives us the hope and encouragement that our lives can improve. If we make the conscious decision to make a change, however big or small, we will find ways to draw close to God. And this will give us the precious time we need which is so essential to our spiritual wellbeing.

Clare

Revd Clare Coates,

Lead Minister for Hardwick, Dry Drayton and Caldecote with Childerley
clarecoates@lordsbridge.org
07818 618795

Services in September 2025

Sunday 7 September

11am Holy Communion with Revd Clare

Sunday 14 September

11am Morning Worship with Revd Clare Coates

Sunday 21 September

3pm Evening Prayer with Revd Clare

Sunday 28 September

No service in the Church – you are most welcome to join us at 10am for the Hardwick and Dry Drayton Eco Service

All welcome to join us at our joint service celebrating our Eco weekend, with Revd Clare and Revd Kate Gaze, and Canon Sue Wyatt preaching. We will be worshipping together outdoors in the beautiful Cabin grounds (and if it is raining, we will be in St Mary’s Church!)

Zoom

Worship at Home – All Lordsbridge Zoom Service

Every Sunday, 11.00am. Join any time from 10.50am.

https://zoom.us/j/82311473640.

On Sundays where there is no service in our church, you are most welcome to join us at any of our services across the Team.

Caldecote Women’s Prayer group Thursday mornings in term time at 9am on Zoom

Women from Caldecote and surrounding villages are warmly invited to join us online, gathering in spirit to pray, reflect and lift one another up through prayers.

From Thursday 4 September

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88137270141?pwd=pCvjk7eQrFqYX8GrvRP6JmMZKI9bYK.1

Meeting ID: 881 3727 0141
Passcode: 655934

HARDWICK

Tuesday Toddlers in the Cabin, every Tuesday in term time 10-11:30am

Useful contacts

Church Warden, Stephen Coates caldecotechurchwarden@gmail.com

Revd Claire Robertson, Lead Minister for Coton, Barton, Harlton and Haslingfield: 01223 874194; clairerobertson@lordsbridge.org

Revd Charles Fraser, Lead Minister for Little and Great Eversden: charlesfraser@lordsbridge.org; 01223 264974

Team Administrator:Mrs Emily Griffiths: thelordsbridgeteam@gmail.com

Lordsbridge Team Instagram: @lordsbridge_team

Lordsbridge Team Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LordsbridgeTeam

“Survivors Photo”
taken in All Saints’ Haslingfield after a long day’s walking for the Lordsbridge Pilgrimage 2025.

Dear Friends,

We have been enjoying some glorious, hot summer weather and it looks set to remain for the holidays! We were blessed with a beautiful day for this year’s annual Lordsbridge Pilgrimage last month. Setting off from Childerley Chapel at 8am, we visited all eleven Parishes, meeting and making friends along the route. Our grateful thanks to all who greeted us in each parish with cool drinks and a chance to refresh ourselves in the coolness of our beautiful buildings. It was a relief to reach Haslingfiled at just after 6:30pm! What an incredible day of friendship and fellowship! For many of us, the day was the perfect opportunity to connect with God in our beautiful churches and countryside and a chance to recharge our spiritual batteries in amongst the daily busyness of life. During the season of Pentecost we are reminded of God’s promise to “power us up” spiritually through the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit infuses us with energy, power and confidence to live out our faith. The Holy Spirit accompanies us on our life’s journey, sustaining and strengthening us, whatever happens.

Whatever your plans for the Summer, I hope you have a wonderful time!

God Bless,

Clare

Rev’d Clare Coates,
Lead Minister for Caldecote with Childerley, Dry Drayton and Hardwick
clarecoates@lordsbridge.org
07818618795

Services in July

Sunday 6 July
11:00am Holy Communion with Revd Clare

Sunday 13 July
11:00am Morning Worship with Stephen Coates

Sunday 20 July
3:00pm Evening Prayer with Revd Clare

Sunday 27 July
No Church service

Please note Revd Clare will be on annual leave from Friday 25 July and returning to work 3 August

Services in August

Sunday 3 August
11:00am Holy Communion with Revd Clare

Sunday 10 August
11:00am Morning Prayer with Stephen Coates

Sunday 17 August
3:00pm Evening Prayer with Revd Clare

Sunday 24 August
No Church service

Sunday 31 August
10:30am Team Service at St Andrew’s Toft with Revd Barnabas and Revd Charles

Please note Revd Clare will be on annual leave from Friday 15 August and returning to work 1 September

Services in September

Sunday 7 September
11:00am Holy Communion with Revd Clare

Zoom
Worship at Home – All Lordsbridge Zoom Service
Every Sunday, 11.00am. Join any time from 10.50am: https://zoom.us/j/82311473640.

On Sundays where there is no service in our church, you are most welcome to join any of our services across the team: please see our website www.lordsbridge.org for further details.

What’s On

Caldecote Women’s Prayer group Thursday mornings in term time at 9:00am on Zoom. Women from Caldecote and surrounding villages are warmly invited to join us online, gathering in spirit to pray, reflect and lift one another up through prayers. We are taking a Summer break and will be back on Thursday 4th September.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88137270141?pwd=pCvjk7eQrFqYX8GrvRP6JmMZKI9bYK.1

Meeting ID: 881 3727 0141
Passcode: 655934

Useful Contacts

Churchwarden: Stephen Coates; caldecotechurchwarden@gmail.com

Revd Claire Robertson, Lead Minister for Coton, Barton, Harlton and Haslingfield: 01223 874194; clairerobertson@lordsbridge.org

Revd Charles Fraser, Lead Minister for Little and Great Eversden: charlesfraser@lordsbridge.org; 01223 264974

Team Administrator: thelordsbridgeteam@gmail.com

Dear Friends,

This month I will be participating in my third Lordsbridge Pilgrimage walk! I am very much looking forward to re-visiting all the churches in the Team, and to chatting with my fellow pilgrims enroute. This year we are trying a new route and will be starting at Childerley Hall at 8am and ending in Haslingfield at approximately 5:30pm (after various stop offs and lunch in the beautiful gardens of the Old Rectory in Caldecote at about 2pm!) People go on pilgrimage for as many reasons as there are pilgrims!  For Christians, going on pilgrimage involves a search for a deeper spirituality and for a closer connection to God. It is also a great adventure, with the chance to meet new people and to see new places. To set aside time for God and feel closer to Him; to discern His will and guidance; and to be strengthened in faith. Going on pilgrimage can give us a new sense of awareness and wonder. Or result in a greater sense of our life’s purpose. Pilgrimage helps us to focus on ‘what really matters’ and to rediscover the joy of giving and generosity. I look forward to seeing you along the way!

God Bless,

Clare

Rev’d Clare Coates,
Lead Minister for Caldecote with Childerley, Dry Drayton and Hardwick
clarecoates@lordsbridge.org
07818618795

Services in June

Sunday 1 June 
11:00am Holy Communion with Revd Clare

Sunday 8 June Pentecost
11:00am Morning Prayer with Stephen Coates

Sunday 15 June
3:00pm Evening Prayer with Revd Clare

Sunday 22 June
No service

Sunday 29 June
Lordsbridge Team Service at St Peter and St Paul’s Dry Drayton
10:30am Holy Communion with Revd Claire and Becca Herrick, and a combined Lordsbridge Choir. Singers welcome to join the choir – please contact Revd Clare for more information.

Zoom
Worship at Home – All Lordsbridge Zoom Service
Every Sunday, 11.00am. Join any time from 10.50am: https://zoom.us/j/82311473640.

On Sundays where there is no service in our church, you are most welcome to join any of our services across the team: please see our website www.lordsbridge.org for further details.

What’s On

Caldecote Women’s Prayer group Thursday mornings in term time at 9:00am on Zoom. Women from Caldecote and surrounding villages are warmly invited to join us online, gathering in spirit to pray, reflect and lift one another up through prayers. For more information, please speak to Rev’d Clare.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88137270141?pwd=pCvjk7eQrFqYX8GrvRP6JmMZKI9bYK.1

Meeting ID: 881 3727 0141
Passcode: 655934

Useful Contacts

Churchwarden: Stephen Coates; caldecotechurchwarden@gmail.com

Revd Claire Robertson, Lead Minister for Coton, Barton, Harlton and Haslingfield: 01223 874194; clairerobertson@lordsbridge.org

Revd Charles Fraser, Lead Minister for Little and Great Eversden: charlesfraser@lordsbridge.org; 01223 264974

Team Administrator: Becca Herrick; rebeccaherrick@lordsbridge.org

Dear Friends,

The 80^th anniversary of VE Day is a moment of profound significance for our country. It is a time for us to remember with deep gratitude the generation who gave their tomorrow for our today. Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Many of us will be thinking of our parents or grandparents, remembering them with love and thankfulness. We also remember that war continues in many parts of the world today and we continue to pray for peace and justice.

On May 8 1945, church bells rang out across the country to mark and celebrate victory in Europe, following Germany’s total surrender to the Allies. The day was one that remained in the memory of all those who witnessed it, including my own Grandparents who remembered the sheer joy and relief that war in Europe was over. It signified the end to nearly six years of a war that had cost millions of lives; had destroyed homes, families and cities; and had brought huge suffering to populations of entire countries. Millions rejoiced and in towns, villages and cities across the country – and indeed the world – people celebrated the victory with spontaneous street parties, dancing and singing. However, VE Day did not mark the end of World War II because the war against Japan did not end until 15^th August 1945. Faith, for many people at that time, helped them get through the difficult and dangerous times, giving them hope that things would be better, that goodness and light would overcome the darkness and that justice would prevail. Faith can give us strength, consolation and hope too, enabling us to carry on whatever we are facing, because Jesus promises to always be with us (Matthew 28:20) lifting us up and sustaining us, encouraging us to not be afraid but to trust in him.

God Bless,

Clare

Rev’d Clare Coates,
Lead Minister for Caldecote with Childerley, Dry Drayton and Hardwick
clarecoates@lordsbridge.org
07818618795

Services in May

Sunday 4 May 
11:00am Holy Communion with Rev’d Clare

Sunday 11 May
11:00am Morning Prayer with Stephen Coates

Sunday 18 May
3:00pm Evening Prayer with Rev’d Clare

Zoom
Worship at Home – All Lordsbridge Zoom Service
Every Sunday, 11.00am. Join any time from 10.50am: https://zoom.us/j/82311473640.

On Sundays where there is no service in our church, you are most welcome to join any of our services across the team: please see our website www.lordsbridge.org for further details.

What’s On

We are launching Caldecote Women’s Prayer group on Thursday 8 May and thereafter, weekly in term time at 9am on Zoom! Women from Caldecote and surrounding villages are warmly invited to join us online, gathering in spirit to pray, reflect and lift one another up through prayers. For more information, please speak to Rev’d Clare.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85862955673?pwd=xdAzFalsE5eLRaSjNrPEC2x0dK8m9I.1

Meeting ID: 858 6295 5673
Passcode: 390391

Useful Contacts

Churchwarden: Stephen Coates; caldecotechurchwarden@gmail.com

Revd Claire Robertson, Lead Minister for Coton, Barton, Harlton and Haslingfield: 01223 874194; clairerobertson@lordsbridge.org

Revd Charles Fraser, Lead Minister for Little and Great Eversden: charlesfraser@lordsbridge.org; 01223 264974

Team Administrator: Becca Herrick; rebeccaherrick@lordsbridge.org

Dear Friends,

Spring is finally here and it has been wonderful to see spring flowers and blossom appearing, and to hear the joyful song of birds each day. This April we will be celebrating Easter fairly late, on April 20^th.  Holy Week begins with our Palm Sunday service on April 13^th and there will be a variety of Holy Week services at our Church and in other parishes within the Lordsbridge Team. Please see below for further details. All are most welcome to join us in our Easter celebrations on Easter Morning at the church. On the very first Easter morning, something totally unexpected happened. Imagine the womens’ surprise when they found an empty tomb, and an Angel who asked them: why are you looking for the living among the dead? Jesus is not here, but he has risen (Luke 24:5) The news brought by the women that Jesus was not dead, but alive and waiting for them, didn’t make sense to Jesus’s friends that first Easter morning. Luke tells us that the apostles did not believe them, dismissing it as an impossible fairy story. The news that Jesus is alive and raised from the dead flies in the face of what we know to be true – that death is the end; no way back; the end of our earthly existence. The logical response is unbelief because our own life experience teaches us death wins. But the Easter message is that death is not final because in and through Jesus we can have eternal life with God, if we choose to follow Him. Thanks to Jesus’s death and resurrection, life and love get the last word. Love is stronger than death. What an incredible message of hope. Regardless of who we are, how we have lived our lives, or what we believe (or don’t), God’s promise of life and love remains open to us all.

Wishing you and your family a very happy and blessed Easter.

God Bless,

Clare

Clare Coates,
Lead Minister for Caldecote with Childerley, Dry Drayton and Hardwick
clarecoates@lordsbridge.org
07818618795

Services in April

Sunday 6 April 
11am Holy Communion with Revd Clare followed by our APCM. All welcome.

Sunday 13 April Palm Sunday
11am Morning Worship for Palm Sunday with Stephen Coates

Thursday 17 April Maundy Thursday at St Mary’s, Hardwick
6pm Holy Communion with handwashing, led by Revd Clare

Friday 18 April Good Friday at Childerley Chapel
3pm An hour at the Cross, with Revd Clare

Sunday 20 April Easter Day
11am Holy Communion with Revd Clare

Zoom
Worship at Home – All Lordsbridge Zoom Service
Every Sunday, 11.00am. Join any time from 10.50am: https://zoom.us/j/82311473640.

On Sundays where there is no service in our church, you are most welcome to join any of our services across the team: please see our website www.lordsbridge.org for further details.

What’s On

Useful Contacts

Churchwarden: Stephen Coates; caldecotechurchwarden@gmail.com

Revd Claire Robertson, Lead Minister for Coton, Barton, Harlton and Haslingfield: 01223 874194; clairerobertson@lordsbridge.org

Revd Charles Fraser, Lead Minister for Little and Great Eversden: charlesfraser@lordsbridge.org; 01223 264974

Team Administrator: Becca Herrick; rebeccaherrick@lordsbridge.org

Dear Friends,

As a Church community, we are entering the season of Lent, which starts this year on Wednesday 5 March. Lent is traditionally a time of self-examination and reflection. There is much to reflect on this year. We are living in troubling times. The whole national and global political debate seeming to be about harsh and nationalistic interests around warfare and trade. Big powers are throwing their weight around in a brutal and self-interested way. This can make us feel fearful and anxious. In such a difficult and a rapidly changing world, our faith can be an anchor and an encouragement to us all. In recent weeks we have been reflecting on Jesus’s words to his disciples in the Sermon on the mount. Known as the beatitudes, these words give us a clear moral code to live by. It may be helpful, as we start Lent, to think of Jesus’s words in a more contemporary way: happy (blessed) are those who…
– rely on God
– seek to see God in every person and strive to make Him known to everyone
– protect and care for our earth, including our own local nature and area
– help others, showing them kindness and compassion
– seek out justice and speak the truth
– build bridges instead of walls, and who seek peace
– try to see what is good in life and be thankful
– stand up for what is right.

The clarity in Jesus’s words help us to follow in his footsteps in our uncertain world and can give us inner peace and happiness, even if circumstances and events are really tough.

God Bless,
Clare

Clare Coates,
Lead Minister for Caldecote with Childerley, Dry Drayton and Hardwick
clarecoates@lordsbridge.org
07818618795

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and see what we are up to across the team!
Instagram: @lordsbridge_team
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LordsbridgeTeam

Team News

Revd Claire Robertson has taken the decision to step back from the role of Acting Team Rector, effective immediately. Revd Clare Coates has agreed to step in to this role and is now the Acting Team Rector whilst we continue to be in vacancy.

Services in March

Sunday 2 March
11.00am Holy Communion with Revd Clare

Sunday 9 March
11.00am Morning Prayer with Stephen Coates

Sunday 16 March
3.00pm Evening Prayer with Revd Clare

Sunday 23 March
No service

Sunday 30 March – Mothering Sunday
11.00am Holy Communion with Revd Clare

Zoom
Worship at Home – All Lordsbridge Zoom Service
Every Sunday, 11.00am. Join any time from 10.50am: https://zoom.us/j/82311473640.

On Sundays where there is no service in our church, you are most welcome to join any of our services across the team: please see our website www.lordsbridge.org for further details.

What’s On

Useful Contacts

Churchwarden: Stephen Coates; caldecotechurchwarden@gmail.com

Revd Claire Robertson, Lead Minister for Coton, Barton, Harlton and Haslingfield: 01223 874194; clairerobertson@lordsbridge.org

Revd Charles Fraser, Lead Minister for Little and Great Eversden: charlesfraser@lordsbridge.org; 01223 264974

Team Administrator: Becca Herrick; rebeccaherrick@lordsbridge.org

Dear Friends,

What are our expectations for the year ahead? Those of us who are rugby fans may have high expectations ahead of the new 6 Nations tournament – will our team raise the trophy this year?  As a lifelong Welsh rugby fan, my hope is that we will not be awarded the wooden spoon – again! And there is always the tantalising hope that Wales will triumph once more! As Christians, what are our expectations of Jesus? What do we want from him? Last month during our Sunday services, I invited you to look to Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). This year, together, we will focus on his life and ministry with the expectation that as we learn more from Jesus’s example, we will draw inspiration and strength from him, enabling us to change and grow, and deepen our faith.

God Bless,

Clare

Clare Coates,
Lead Minister for Caldecote with Childerley, Dry Drayton and Hardwick
clarecoates@lordsbridge.org
07818618795

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and see what we are up to across the team!
Instagram: @lordsbridge_team
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LordsbridgeTeam

Services in February

Sunday 2 February Candlemas
11:00am Holy Communion with Revd Clare

Sunday 9 February
11:00am Morning Prayer with Stephen Coates

Sunday 16 February
3:00pm Evening Prayer with Revd Clare

Sunday 23 February
No service

Zoom
Worship at Home – All Lordsbridge Zoom Service
Every Sunday, 11.00am. Join any time from 10.50am: https://zoom.us/j/82311473640.

On Sundays where there is no service in our church, you are most welcome to join any of our services across the team: please see our website www.lordsbridge.org for further details.

What’s On

Useful Contacts

Churchwarden: Stephen Coates; caldecotechurchwarden@gmail.com

Revd Claire Robertson, Lead Minister for Coton, Barton, Harlton and Haslingfield: 01223 874194; clairerobertson@lordsbridge.org

Revd Charles Fraser, Lead Minister for Little and Great Eversden: charlesfraser@lordsbridge.org; 01223 264974

Team Administrator: Becca Herrick; rebeccaherrick@lordsbridge.org

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year! At the beginning of a new year, many of us make resolutions and set new goals for the year ahead. Maybe we plan to eat healthier, exercise more and get fit. Or maybe take up a new hobby. Or spend more time with our loved ones. All good goals! We may also take time to look ahead: what are our expectations as the new year begins? What are our spiritual goals for 2025? 2024 was, for many of us, a very challenging year and our experiences have shown us that anything and everything can happen, both good things and bad. We don’t know what journey God is taking us on this year. But we can be certain that God who calls us is faithful and promises always to be with us. As we settle into this New Year, whether we have set goals or not, let’s endeavour to step out in faith, seeking God and following Him wherever He calls us to. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus, and draw strength and joy from knowing that whatever happens, he will always be walking with us.

Wishing you and your family a very happy, joyful, love filled and peaceful New Year.

God Bless,

Clare

Clare Coates,
Lead Minister for Caldecote with Childerley, Dry Drayton and Hardwick
clarecoates@lordsbridge.org

07818618795

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and see what we are up to across the team!

Instagram: @lordsbridge_team

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LordsbridgeTeam

Services in January

Sunday 5 January Epiphany
11:00am Holy Communion with Revd Clare

Sunday 12 January
11:00am Morning Prayer with Stephen Coates

Sunday 19 January
3:00pm Evening Prayer with Revd Clare

Sunday 26 January
No service

Zoom
Worship at Home – All Lordsbridge Zoom Service
Every Sunday, 11.00am. Join any time from 10.50am: https://zoom.us/j/82311473640.

On Sundays where there is no service in our church, you are most welcome to join any of our services across the team: please see our website www.lordsbridge.org for further details.

What’s On

Useful Contacts

Churchwarden: Stephen Coates; caldecotechurchwarden@gmail.com

Revd Claire Robertson, Lead Minister for Coton, Barton, Harlton and Haslingfield: 01223 874194; clairerobertson@lordsbridge.org

Revd Charles Fraser, Lead Minister for Little and Great Eversden: charlesfraser@lordsbridge.org; 01223 264974

Team Administrator: Becca Herrick; rebeccaherrick@lordsbridge.org

Dear Friends,

Christmas is a wonderful time of year and a special time for families and friends to meet up and spend time together, to have fun and enjoy each other’s company. We warmly invite you to join with us during this Christmas time, and there’s lots going on! Our annual Carols by candlelight is on Sunday 8 December, at 4pm, followed by seasonal refreshments: the perfect way to start the Christmas season!  And on Christmas Day, all are most welcome to join us for a family Holy Communion at 11am in Childerley Chapel, Childerley Hall.

Jesus’s birth was a moment of great wonder, beauty and joy in uncertain and difficult times. We too are living in such times. The world feels a far more dangerous place, with the ongoing war in Ukraine and Gaza, and many other places around the world. Yet even in the worst of times, we have seen an unbroken tradition, celebrating Jesus’s birth. The Christmas story reminds us however afraid and worried and anxious we may feel, we can all experience a renewed sense of hope and joy that our saviour Jesus has been born. Jesus was the greatest gift ever given! A gift of unconditional love and forgiveness, and hope for a better tomorrow. God sent His son as a tiny, vulnerable baby into an ordinary family, at a difficult and dangerous time, to help us find our way home to Him. Jesus is the living hope that God is with us, no matter what.

I pray that you and your family a very joyful, happy and peace filled Christmas and a very happy New Year.

God Bless,

Clare

Clare Coates,
Lead Minister for Caldecote with Childerley, Dry Drayton and Hardwick
clarecoates@lordsbridge.org

07818618795

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and see what we are up to across the team!

Instagram: @lordsbridge_team

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LordsbridgeTeam

Zoom
Worship at Home – All Lordsbridge Zoom Service
Every Sunday, 11.00am. Join any time from 10.50am: https://zoom.us/j/82311473640.

On Sundays where there is no service in our church, you are most welcome to join any of our services across the team: please see our website www.lordsbridge.org for further details.

What’s On

Useful Contacts

Churchwarden: Stephen Coates; caldecotechurchwarden@gmail.com

Revd Claire Robertson, Lead Minister for Coton, Barton, Harlton and Haslingfield: 01223 874194; clairerobertson@lordsbridge.org

Revd Charles Fraser, Lead Minister for Little and Great Eversden: charlesfraser@lordsbridge.org; 01223 264974

Team Administrator: Becca Herrick; rebeccaherrick@lordsbridge.org