JUST two vicars could be left juggling services at up to eight churches in north Worcestershire villages if a retiring Belbroughton reverend is not replaced.

Rev Barbara Mapley, village vicar of Belbroughton, Clent and Fairfield, is set to retire at the end of the year - but with fewer clergy following the path into ministry, congregations shrinking year on year and less cash being pledged for church coffers - no plans are yet afoot for her replacement.

The vicar's impending departure would leave the two remaining reverends in the Stourbridge Deanery responsible for two churches in Hagley, as well as Broome, Churchill and Blakedown, plus Clent, Belbroughton and Fairfield.

However, the Diocese of Worcester says the looming changes could be a "blessing" in disguise and create new opportunities to take the church out into the community and encourage the community to support churches.

Diocesan communications officer Sam Setchell said: "When somebody retires it gives us an opportunity to re-look at the area.

"There are an awful lot of very talented people in our churches - there's no indication we would ever leave a community without any kind of ministry; that's what we're there for, it's just changing the way we do that as there's no doubt we're affected by the economic situation at the moment. We have to maintain our beautiful grounds or listed buildings - that's a big drain on our resources and churches have to find a way of raising money for these things as well as paying for their own clergy.

"We can't have one vicar in one village - there's an awful lot of other people in villages who will carry on supporting people and a number of lay people in different areas of the church who make a difference in their local communities."

Rev Mapley added: "There isn't any suggestion of closing churches but because of changing patterns of cover if people want a particular date for a particular service they may have to compromise and it maybe that there are fewer Sunday services."

But the forward-thinking vicar urged parishioners to pull together rather than get despondent about any possible changes, adding: "Change is always a good thing - it's part and parcel of life; sometimes what looks like a disaster turns out to be a blessing. It may be that this makes us think of something we had not anticipated."

Spokeswoman Mrs Setchell added: "There'll always be someone in Belbroughton - they may just have to look after a few more churches."

Meanwhile, she urged parishioners to continue to support Holy Trinity Church in Belbroughton which needs to raise around £26,000-£27,000 a year to fund its clergy.

Rev Mapley recently completed a sponsored bible reading challenge to help "boost church income" in the face of rising energy costs and falling donations.

She said: "One of the reasons I did it was to stimulate people into thinking 'what can we do?' and I've been blown away by how generous people have been."

The stunt raised just over £2,000, with the vicar adding: "With Gift Aid it'll be nearer £2,400. It was wonderfully supported."

The church is also hoping to receive a boost following Belbroughton Scarecrow Festival (taking place this weekend), which usually raises thousands of pounds for Holy Trinity.

Anyone wishing to hold a fundraiser in aid of the church can contact Rev Mapley on 01562 730531.