Astwick Vale Benefice, which consists of the parishes and churches of Aynho, Croughton, Evenley, Farthinghoe and Hinton-in-the-Hedges with Steane, is situated at the most southerly end of the Peterborough Diocese within the Brackley Deanery.
Each of the churches making up the Benefice – all within relatively short distances of one another – has its own distinctive character and traditions, which we respect and for which we are thankful. We do, however, share our gifts and actively support one another.
Within the Benefice there are two primary schools: Croughton Church of England School (V.C.) with a roll of approximately 100 pupils, whilst Farthinghoe Junior School is much smaller.. Both are closely connected with their respective churches.
There is also a primary school in the village of Charlton, which although in a neighbouring parish has strong links with the villages in our Benefice, including a member of Aynho PCC being on this school’s governing board. For the older children the two main secondary schools are Magdalene School in Brackley and Chenderit School in Middleton Cheney.
The Benefice rectory is situated in Aynho.
Our Benefice
What we believe
We believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God.
We believe that there is one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His atoning death, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
We believe that God so loved the world that he sent his son into the world that whoever believes in him will have eternal life.
We believe in the present ministry and baptism of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a Godly life.
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.