Festival of Hope

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow

Our old churches and graveyards hold so many stories and memories- as you look round, you will see lots of wonderful examples of people who inspire us and who lived through challenge and fragility. This year – from 27th April to 11th May 2025 – we mark the 80th anniversary of VE day, and so we’re thinking particularly about how that piece of history can help us live well today. Do feel warmly invited to our two events to mark the occasion- details below.

But it’s more than just an appreciation of people from days gone by. Christians today live as people of hope because we are people of faith. As you make your way around Severn Loop, you will see displays that remind us of the Easter story- our faith in Jesus Christ whose love is so deep, long, wide and high that it knows no bounds, defeated death and is company for us in every moment- now and forever. God’s love in Jesus gives us a real hope that changes our lives for the better and shows us the good ways in a world that is difficult.

So celebrate with us as we share in that hope through our creative displays around our churches. Whether it’s in the small moments, like the confusion of Mary Magdalene as she peered into an empty tomb; or the enormous moments, like the birth of the Church at Pentecost as God’s Spirit filled the people and continues to fill them today; we hope that in each of our displays you will find something that matters, that encourages you and that changes you as you journey onwards.

There are eight churches with displays- you can visit them in any order, on any day between 27th April and 11th May inclusive. Do pick up or download the map with parking details on.

Don’t forget to complete the rubbing on your pilgrim passport as you enjoy the adventure!

VE Day commemorative events:

The Ronnies in Concert at Holy Trinity, Leaton

Sunday, 4th May, 3pm

Come and enjoy music from The Ronnies (a singing group who specialise in WWII music) as we recall the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Free tickets available from 01939 290637, or just turn up (retiring collection)

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Songs of Praise at Holy Trinity, Bicton

Sunday, 11th May, 5pm

With stories of hymns that gave us strength in difficult times.

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Hope-filled Gallery

How do you express hope? If you have a craft project, Easter display or photo that gives you hope or communicates encouragement, we'd love to add it to our gallery! We are creating an online exhibition of hope-filled images from folk around Severn Loop. If you'd like to be part of it, send us a picture (in landscape orientation), along with your name and a brief description- and we will incorporate it as appropriate. Have a look at the gallery so far. Send entries to severn.loopparishes@gmail.com

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Get everything you need to join in:

Festival of Hope Introduction in Word format | PDF format

Download your Pilgrim Passport in PDF format

Map and Parking Directions in Word format | PDF format

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‘Now these three remain: faith, hope and love.’
1 Corinthians 13.13a

Introducing Loop Life

We are delighted to be starting a group for young people of secondary school age (years 7-13). Anyone (in that age range!) is most welcome. Loop Life will meet at the Rectory in Bicton, 7pm-8pm, on: 13th March, 27th March, 1st May, 22nd May, 12th June, 26th June, 10th July.

We will have hot chocolate and cream (obligatory!), get to know each other, have some fun games and engage with the Bible and prayer. It’ll be a chance for young people to explore faith, deepen friendships and be a source of support for each other. So far, three young people have indicated that they will come along- we’d really, really love a few more! I’m also really pleased that Natalie Johnson has agreed to be our second adult.

Welcome to Dave!

We are delighted to announce that David Latcham will be joining us at the end of June… as our Curate! You may remember that this is how I first landed here, eight years ago. It’ll be a joy and a privilege to welcome Dave to the team, and the whole family to Severn Loop, as he serves his title with us. It’s also a lovely bit of synchronicity because it’s exactly two years since Dave preached at our Candlemas service, after having completed a short placement with us. Dave has been studying for ordination at Trinity College Bristol, but has been doing so from a distance, having been based in Shrewsbury and on placement across the border in Oxon parish. He is married to Sarah, and together they have three energetic young boys in Marty, Jago and Gilbert. Dave writes:

“I’m really looking forward to coming back to Severn Loop. I enjoyed my time dipping into the life and ministry of the parishes a couple of years back, and am excited to be able to learn and serve amongst you, and alongside Hannah and the team. Do be praying for me as I complete my academic training and prepare for all that ordained ministry will have to throw at me, and for our family as we all adjust to these changes. We look forward to meeting you all!"

Before pursuing ordained ministry, Dave worked locally for the Alzheimer’s Society as a dementia support worker and has also previously worked as a graphic designer. He enjoys walking, gardening and board games, and as a family they will often be found exploring the countryside and historical sites. Inspired by Sarah’s knowledge as a local Classics teacher, they recently enjoyed a trip to Athens that combined both their biblical and classical interests. They anticipate many muddy walks exploring the countryside and communities of Severn Loop.

Revd Hannah Lins, 1 February 2025

REVS has moved

After many years meeting monthly at the Montford Bridge Café, REVS has decided to move venue… to Leaton! We are so excited about this new partnership, which will see the REVS community meeting at Leaton church every third Saturday of the month, 10am-noon.

Adam Gompertz writes… "So what is REVS all about then? Well, cars is probably the obvious answer, but there is a whole lot more to it than just 4 wheels and an engine. REVS is really about creating community; it’s about bringing people together who love automotive things but may also want a place to meet.

Just as old cars have stories, so do people, and we want to make a space where people can feel safe, welcomed and valued, and so feel able to share their story with us. And we also have a story that they can find out about – the story of a God who loves each one of us – whatever interests we have. So REVS is also a place where people can ask questions about faith, God, the Church – even if they don’t agree. REVS is about belonging to something, and it is open to anyone whether they have a collection of cars, one car, a car poster on their wall, or the memory of a family car they went on holiday in. In truth,REVS is for anyone.

REVS was originally started by me, Adam, a local vicar with a background and passion in cars, and a desire to see community grow and flourish; a community where people could explore faith and ask questions.

We are really excited to start a new chapter in the REVS story with you at Leaton, and we are looking forward to meeting you all. We hope you will feel you can come and be a part of the REVS community. To find out more about REVS go to:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/revslimiter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revslimiter/
Twitter: https://@revslimiter@mastodon.world

Resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury

The Rt Revd Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield, has received the news of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s resignation this afternoon with sorrow, acknowledging that the Archbishop has acted honourably in resigning. He notes that Archbishop Justin’s ministry has been marked by the creation of a great movement of prayer: Thy Kingdom Come, by the founding of the St Anselm Community in which young people discover a life of service and, it must be said, an enormous step change in the church’s machinery for safeguarding. There have been many good things which merit recollection.

With his episcopal colleagues, the Bishop of Stafford, the Bishop of Shrewsbury, the Bishop of Wolverhampton and the Bishop of Oswestry, Bishop Michael asks that the people of the diocese respond to this news with prayer.

While giving thanks for the efforts that have made us a safer church than we once were, we must now re-commit to the change needed to create a yet safer church with a heightened and shared responsibility for safeguarding.

We unite in prayer for survivors of John Smyth’s abuse and for all survivors of abuse, for the Church of England and also for Archbishop Justin and his family.

The Archbishop’s statement can be read here.

Finding support

If you or anyone you are in contact with are affected by the publication of this report and want to talk to someone independently please call the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 or visit safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk.

Alternatively, you may wish to contact the diocesan safeguarding team or the National Safeguarding Team at safeguarding@churchofengland.org.

There are also other support services available.

Phoenix Singers concert at Bicton