The Benefice of Cinderford with Littledean was formed in December 2010. The benefice covers Cinderford, Littledean, Ruspidge and Soudley and is part of the Forest South Deanery within Gloucester Diocese. The Benefice serves the community of Cinderford and the surrounding areas.
The benefice includes three parishes: St Ethelbert’s, Littledean; St John’s, Cinderford, Ruspidge and Soudley and St Stephen’s, Cinderford.
The three Parish churches within the benefice offer a variety of service styles according to a range of church traditions, but all are friendly and offer a warm welcome. Please look at the individual church pages for more information and service times or contact us for more information.
The Vicar of the Benefice is Mike Barnsley, who started his time here on 4 March 2011. Mike enjoys being situated at the heart of the Cinderford community at The Vicarage on Belle Vue Road. You may have seen Mike out and about around Cinderford and the Forest on his Harley. Mike would love to meet you for a chat or a prayer. Contact him on (01594) 822286 / 07903 436009 or send a message.
D Day 80
June 6, 2024This week sees the country unite with others around the world to remember the events of D Day 80 years ago. Cinderford gathered in the Triangle on the morning of 6 June to pay our respects to all who gave some and some who gave all. The event was organised by Cinderford Town Council in conjunction with Royal British Legion Cinderford Branch and Cinderford Churches. The Proclamation was made by Cinderford Town Crier. Followed by a short service of remembrance […]
Archdeacon’s Visitation
June 2, 2024St Stephen’s Church hosted the first Archdeacon’s visitation of 2024 on Sunday 2 June. Richard Blagg, Assistant Curate opened the service that was led by Archdeacons Hilary and Phil. The service takes place each year to admit newly elected Churchwardens to their office for the year ahead. Churchwardens from Forest, Wooton, Cirencester and Severn Vale were present. Kim Howard and Chris Witham were admitted as Churchwardens for St Stephen’s, Cinderford. Sharron Hill for St Ethelbert’s, Littledean and Eve Smith for […]
Prayer Walk
May 19, 2024Sunday 19 May saw the annual Thy Kingdom Come prayer walk take place around Cinderford and Littledean. Thy Kingdom Come (TKC) is a global ecumenical prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray from Ascension to Pentecost for more people to come to know Jesus. The initiative unites more than a million Christians in prayer, in nearly 90% of countries worldwide, across 85 different denominations and traditions. This year, a group of walkers from around the Benefice set […]