Ketton and Tinwell Benefice

Ketton & Tinwell Churches

St Mary's Ketton
& All Saints' Tinwell

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Welcome to St. Mary's Ketton & All Saints Tinwell
We are an inclusive & friendly Church Family
in the beautiful county of Rutland
Please drop by and see us

Both our Churches are open everyday for you to explore or for personal prayer

If you’d like to receive a weekly newsletter via email, please contact the Vicar

Our Vicar

Revd Dean Akrill

Email:vicar@kettonandtinwell.uk

Telephone: 01780 723181

Dean is here for the whole community in Ketton and in Tinwell, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Dean’s day off is Monday 

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Our Church Wardens

Ketton Sara Mann  saramann50@gmail.com

Tinwell Bryan Yule bryan.yule766@gmail.com

Our Pastoral Lay Minister

Julia Freeman juliafreeman@tiscali.co.uk

Recent Blog Posts

14/03/2026This Sunday is Mothering Sunday; a time which evokes many different memories and emotions within people, and a day which itself can be interpreted in different ways. Giving thanks for the mothers amongst us is perhaps what most people think of, and depending on your experience and time of life, this can provoke some very deep emotions.  Who we are as people is very much shaped by our mothers, either by their presence or by their absence, and if you are a mother yourself, I imagine that the depth of feeling is even greater. When we think about motherhood in terms of our faith, I guess that most of think about Mary, the mother of Jesus. In her we see both the love and the sacrifice that motherhood demands, from the time that Christ was born, up until that final moment at the cross. Through most of Christian history we have been discouraged to think of God as feminine, and yet, we acknowledge that God is ultimately beyond gender or any of our other definitions. The idea of God as Mother is actually very old, going back to the very earliest understandings of the Divine presence in the Old Testament. This is particularly true of the Holy Spirit, sometimes known as “Ruach” in Hebrew, or “Mother Spirit”. This mothering aspect of God continues into the New Testament through the numerous times when we are described as “being born of the spirit” or “born in the spirit”. In a society which was ruled by men, it’s hardly surprising that descriptions of God as female began to get lost, and yet we can still see glimpses of it, especially in some passages by the Old Testament prophets, particularly Isaiah, who described God as  “a  mother who comforts her children”  (Isaiah 66:12-13), amongst other references. In our own society and culture, Mothering Sunday began as a recognition of the mothering role of the Church, when people would return to their “mother church” that is to say, the church you were baptised in. Perhaps this is an idea to return to today; how different would our outreach, teaching, and pastoral care look, if we considered ourselves to be part of a mothering, nurturing church? How would this change us as an institution? God is ultimately beyond our understanding, but for many of us, relating to Mary as the mother of Christ, or to God as mother, has contributed to a more complete and holistic idea of God. For many women, some of whom have experienced the more toxic aspects of masculinity, relating to God as female has helped them to recognize the divine within themselves. On Sunday at St. Mary’s, we’ll be singing various Hymns which celebrate Mary, the mother of Christ, as well as one which references the Mothering Spirit of God: She sits like a bird, brooding on the waters,Hovering on the chaos of the world’s first day;She sighs and she sings, mothering creation, Waiting to give birth to all the Word will say.  (She sits like a bird brooding on the waters, John Bell) Happy Mothering Sunday,  Revd Dean.  X Exit full screen gallery ⇗ Open full size image → Next image 0 of 0 ← Previous image [...] Read more...
04/03/2026Praying for peace in all parts of the world, and especially for the Middle East today. May we overcome our fear of difference, and see the God given humanity of all people. X Exit full screen gallery ⇗ Open full size image → Next image 0 of 0 ← Previous image [...] Read more...
24/02/2026We began Lent by reflecting on that very strange story about Jesus being tempted in the wilderness by the Devil, you can read it in the New Testament of the Bible, Matthew 4. 1-11. Imagine for a moment being tempted in the wilderness, what would your demon have to say to you? What are the world’s demons saying in general, especially to those who have the power to influence? Well, I explored just this in a little story…. In the desert, you kick the sand into temporary clouds for your own amusement, a small act of creation, causing a moment of chaos in an otherwise still landscape, perhaps scattering ants, or giving a scorpion a headache. No act is without its consequences. Remember that. Well, its my wilderness, and I can do whatever the hell I want, says the Devil within you. Or is it the God within you? Sometimes we mix them up…  sometimes they’re the same thing. You are the Prince of all that you survey. And if you’re a prince, well, you can do what you want, can’t you? People will turn a blind eye, won’t they? After all your position has been ordained by God, hasn’t it? And, you have a right, don’t you? God, given, apparently. Anway, whatever, the rules hardly apply to you. Until they do… Imagine you are a Prince, for a moment. Or, even better, the son of God! It shouldn’t be too difficult, the world’s full of Trumped-up little Emperors, take a look at them. Ah, see what I did there? Trumped up little Emperors…  oh, never mind. Where was I, the son of God! Little known fact here, In the Roman Empire , it was believed that the Emperor was the actual son of God! It was quite a common term apparently. So you’re the son of God, or an emperor, or a prince or a little princess, well, in your mother’s eyes anyway… Whatever… there are standards to maintain, and you deserve everything you’ve got, and everything that you’ve got coming to you. Don’t you…? So, you’re feeling hungry, well its only to be expected, you’ve been trudging around this wilderness for hours, and upsetting the local wildlife, such as it is. And then you see it, a rock! Or is it a loaf of bread, it looks like it could be a loaf of bread you know, if you squint, or have a really good imagination, go on, says the Deamon within, or is it the God. Details, never mind… Go on, take this Rock and for you it will be bread! Yes, I know that the rest of the Empire is struggling to survive, but there are standards to maintain, you are the Emperor, the son of God, you have to be well-fed, it gives people hope, or something like that. And I tell you what, whilst your at it you take the Amazon Rainforest and turn it into fields of Beef, McDonalds will be lovin it. So, are you going to do it? Well, it depends which God you listen to really. Do you prioritise your own appetite, and the appetites of others are just like you, or do you listen to that other voice, you know the one that rattles on about love, grace, justice, and all that kind of stuff…?  You know the one that insists that truth and meaning require sacrifice. But look, stone, bread, bread stone, it’ll be transformed, just like that. Go on, I can see you’re tempted, what are you going to do? Really? Your choice… On we go then. It’s a bit boring this wilderness, isn’t it? I know, change of scene, let’s take a look at the city, I know just the place, lets stand on the roof of the Temple, you get the best views from here . Amazing, isn’t it? Those people are just like ants, lets cause a little chaos, disturb the sand a bit. You know, what with you being the son of God, I bet you could jump off from here and Daddy would send his angels to protect you. Its what parents do isn’t it? Save their little princes and princess’ from their little scrapes? Sheild them from the consequences of all their daft decisions. And you know, if by any chance you did fall, not that you will, but if you did, well, you’d be immortal, wouldn’t you? Your name would live forever! Everybody wants to be a celebrity these days. What? What’s that you say? Your not going to put daddy to the test? Hang on, what about faith and all that kind of stuff. Oh I see, you prefer the quiet kind of faith,  the kind that moves mountains in a subtle way and doesn’t neglect responsibility. Ah well. Still, nice view from here. Top of the world! Look at all those buildings, steel and glass as far as the eye can see, we’ve come a long way since the pyramids you know. Do you know how many slaves it took to build the pyramids? No, neither do I, I kind of lost count, and most of them didn’t last long, there was a kind of natural wastage, but, you know, there was always replacements, that’s the good thing about cheap labour, plenty of it, plenty of supply to meet the demand. Good old days, but I guess not much has changed really, when you get down to it… there’s nothing quite like it, the smell of the sweat shops, but you don’t need to worry about that you’re a prince, the son of God, and you know, all this could be yours, aim high, be top of the pile, you just need to bow down. And all these big buildings, and all the little people, will be yours, forever, it’s the order of things don’t you know… Bow down to what you say? Well, you know, to the God or, the demon, to what makes all of this possible! Amazing, isn’t it? Still, no? What kind of son of God are you exactly? Some emperor you’ll make… Ah well, it’s your cross, you may as well hang from it… It is Lent, a time to reflect on who we are, on what motivates us, and who we listen to.  This is what Christ was doing when he was  tempted in the wilderness, and perhaps we find ourselves in our own wilderness. But we’re not alone, and everything we do has consequences for others, as well as ourselves.  We’re invited to face our own Demons, the obvious demons, but also those who disguise themselves as Gods, who appeal  perhaps to our more selfish side, or even more tricky disguise themselves as “Common Sense” or “normal”. But in an unjust world, the trouble with normal is that it always gets worse. It is a time to be angry, as Christ was angry, but also to be gentle as Christ was gentle.  And like Christ, we face the question. Who is your God? Is your God the God of pride and power? Or is your God, love? If its pride and power, well, you’re on your own, because this God claims that its everyone for themselves. If you’re God is love, well, well love tells the truth, that we’re all connected, and we all have sacrifices to make.  It is the way of the Cross, and we carry it together. Revd Dean.  19th February: Intoduction  X Exit full screen gallery ⇗ Open full size image → Next image 0 of 0 ← Previous image [...] Read more...
12/02/2026Lent is almost here, and this year we’ll be looking at our Inclusive God, what happens when people feel excluded, and how we can be more inclusive. Once again we join with our friends at Ketton Methodist Church for what promises to be an enlightening and challenging experience for us all. This year there will be two opportunities to join in with every session, one at 10.45am and another at 7.30pm, both at Ketton Methodist Church on each Thursday in Lent. If you still can’t make it, the study materials will be available online, watch this space or contact Revd Dean. X Exit full screen gallery ⇗ Open full size image → Next image 0 of 0 ← Previous image [...] Read more...
10/02/2026At St. Mary’s We’ve recently been doing dome tidying up, and in doing so we’ve created a new prayer space! It will continue to evolve, but at the Centre is our Community Cross which represents our unity in diversity, and that we’re all as one in God’s sight. This week you are invited to add your fingerprint to the cross. X Exit full screen gallery ⇗ Open full size image → Next image 0 of 0 ← Previous image [...] Read more...
06/02/2026This Sunday in Tinwell we’ll be reflecting on God in nature, and also focusing on our relationship with both. We were intended to be part of this vibrant act of creation, to be part of nature, this creative energy which we know as God. But instead we exploited the earth, and exploited each other.  Join us for some time of reflection.  X Exit full screen gallery ⇗ Open full size image → Next image 0 of 0 ← Previous image [...] Read more...
21/01/2026It is a wonderful thing to be able to visit our primary school on a regular basis. Ketton C.E Primary school is a jewel at the heart of our village. In the picture you can see the roots of the prayer tree they have in the Hall, these roots are the values which the school promotes, amongst them are empathy, tolerance, kindness, love and peace. Today I shared with the children the story of Martin Luther King, of how in a deeply segregated America he fought for equality, tolerance and peace, and that he had a dream in which children from all backgrounds could play together.As we look at the news in America today, perhaps we are reminded that we should not take the values of empathy, tolerance, kindness, love and peace for granted, and that we should also be thankful that our children have such positive and affirming influences in our schools. Revd Dean.  X Exit full screen gallery ⇗ Open full size image → Next image 0 of 0 ← Previous image [...] Read more...
14/01/2026Sunday’s Service at St. Mary’s  will be a bit different, you are welcome to receive prayers of healing, either for yourself or for someone else, there will also be an opportunity to light a prayer candle. All are welcome, no matter what you think or feel, or what you believe or don’t believe. You are welcome. We begin at 10.30am. A similar service will be held in Tinwell soon.  X Exit full screen gallery ⇗ Open full size image → Next image 0 of 0 ← Previous image [...] Read more...
09/01/2026Did you know that both our Churches are open every day for you to visit? We are also looking to create a special prayer space at St. Mary’s for personal prayer and quiet reflection. We are here for you, whoever you are, and whatever you believe or don’t believe, all are welcome.  During Lent this year, we’ll also be thinking about inclusion, when St. Mary’s, All Saints, and the Methodist Church join together for our Lent Course – “Inclusive God”, an exploration of how various groups of people sometimes feel excluded by Christianity, and how we might be more inclusive as a Church. As usual, there will be regular lent group meetings during the day, and we’ll also be looking at holding evening meetings so as many of us as possible can participate. Later in the year I aim to offer a reflective and meditative exploration of our faith, possibly in both Tinwell and Ketton, as well as a (potentially noisier) Pet Service! In the meantime, all this thinking about inclusion reminded me of this poem: “Some people look at me” by Marjorie DobsonSome people look at me as if I’m not human.It wasn’t my fault that I was born like this.But when you’re not the same,some people can’t cope with that.They bully, or call me names, or stare,or play on my weakness,knowing that I can’t fight back.Why are they so cruel?Why is life so unfair?God, do you love me?Am I really made in your image,as the kind and loving ones try to tell me?Are they telling the truth?I really need to know! God Bless, Revd Dean.  X Exit full screen gallery ⇗ Open full size image → Next image 0 of 0 ← Previous image [...] Read more...
02/01/2026Why not come to our all age-family service on Sunday? X Exit full screen gallery ⇗ Open full size image → Next image 0 of 0 ← Previous image [...] Read more...
25/12/2025Happy Christmas. may we know peace and light, even when the world is dark and cold.  X Exit full screen gallery ⇗ Open full size image → Next image 0 of 0 ← Previous image [...] Read more...
19/12/2025What a lovely time of year to begin ministry here in Ketton & Tinwell. The week began with a beautiful candlelit Carol Service in Tinwell, then on Tuesday there was the very joyful Christmas concert performed by the very talented Ketton Community Choir.   Yesterday it was a delight to welcome the children of our Church School into St. Mary’s for their end of term service. And, as I write this, there are a number of us planning Ketton’s  traditional Carol Service, as well as the Christingle extravaganza, which this year will feature a very unusual Angel!  Advent, particularly, the run-up to Christmas can be a very busy time; this season is also quite intense for different reasons, and whatever we’re doing on the day itself, it can provoke strong memories and emotions within us. Christmas is a potent mix of memory and emotion, but I think this has always been the case, even on that first Christmas Day when God was discovered within a small and vulnerable child;a God who shares our joys and our sorrows. Some years ago I attempted to convey some of this in a poem, which I called “Mary’s Star” Don’t all mothers see the divinewithin their child?Mary was no different,a new life shines as a halo,the first cry, like Angel song,born from pain,this healing presence,like a star in the pitch of night. But a star so often dies,before we see it,reflected in the heavens.And Mary wept,as she saw her own child’s halo fade,snuffed out by those afraid of light. Yet, on a clear night,a star still shines,and Mary, gazing up into the sky,can hear the echoes of Angels,and knows she isaccompanied by the Divine. God Bless, Revd Dean.  X Exit full screen gallery ⇗ Open full size image → Next image 0 of 0 ← Previous image [...] Read more...
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