We hold three services every Sunday, to include a range of styles and traditions.  We are evangelical in outlook, upholding God's truth as revealed in the Bible.  Please see the monthly service page for details.

 

At 8am there is a short service of Holy Communion following the traditional Book of Common Prayer.  This is a reflective service, without hymns.

 

At 10am there is a less formal service of Worship in The Memorial Hall in West Street with activities and teaching for children up to age 14.  We have a band who play modern songs and afterwards there is opportunity for private prayer ministry.  Once a month we hold a service of Holy Communion.  One the first Sunday of the month we hold a Family Service, which is very informal and always led by ordinary members of the church, and usually includes activities such as drawing, gluing or assembling for the children (and any adults who wish to join in!), as well as an opportunity for the adults and young people to discuss the theme of the service and offer their contributions if they want to.  We always have coffee after the 10am service which gives us a chance to get to know one another better.

 

At 6.30pm we have a formal but relaxed service of Evening Prayer, using the modern wording of Common Worship, with Holy Communion once a month.  This service has traditional hymns accompanied by the organ.  In recent years we have changed the time of this service in winter, but for 2011/2012 we will keep the start time at 6.30pm.

 

 

St Mary's Church is under the authority of the Church of England, Diocese of Bath and Wells.

 

Following the retirement of our Vicar, Rev Peter Kerton-Johnson on 6 July 2011, our Churchwardens have authority for St Mary's Church - both the building and the people - and we are led by a team of Readers, the Gatekeepers, and PCC members. 

 

The Churchwardens, who have legal responsibility for the church building and are elected every year by the members, are Colleen Jerrold and Tom Reeves.

 

The Readers, who are trained and authorised to lead services, preach, and carry out pastoral duties in the parish, are Rosemary Egerton, Nick Forrest, Barbara Foy, Colleen Jerrold and Anthony Russell. 

 

The Gatekeepers, authorised by the PCC, are in charge of the spiritual leadership of the church and are Nick Forrest, Colleen Jerrold, Anthony Russell, Rosemary Egerton, Barbara Foy, Tom Reeves and Rev Christian Merivale.

 

The PCC members are in charge of the practical running of the church and are 

Andy Chant, Colleen Jerrold (Deanery Rep), Mike Toft (PCC Treasurer), Sarah Russell, Lesley Strutt (PCC Secretary, Electoral Roll Officer and Deanery Rep), Sam Lewis, Barbara Foy, Derek Ferris, Tom Reeves, Paula Reeves.  Michael Kerr has been co-opted by the PCC to be the PCC Chairman.

 

We also have groups of members who have been given specific responsibilities according to their giftings.  We call these responsibilities Portfolios. 

The Portfolio holders gather suitable groups around them for the tasks needing to be carried out.  In this way new skills are learned, latent gifts discovered and nurtured, and succession of leadership made easier.  

 

Worship                                 The Gatekeepers

Youth Club                             Sam Lewis

Church children & young people  Sue Ferris

Outreach                                Tom Reeves and Derek Ferris

Social                                    Barbara Foy

Pastoral - Jesus Ministry and      Lesley Strutt

              Lord's Larder  

Prayer Chain                            Derek Ferris

Communications                       Lesley Strutt

Finance                                  Mike Toft

Church Fabric                          Colleen Jerrold, Tom Reeves

All Saints' Hall Fabric                 Collleen Jerrold

Flowers                                   Barbara Foy

Music                                     Sarah Barnard, Anthony Russell

Listening                                 Paula Reeves

 

So it is not just members of the PCC who have responsibility in St Mary's!  Many others also work hard behind the scenes, known only to a few, to keep the church building in good shape, and the church body - the people - in good spiritual shape, too. 

 

See the 'Contact us' page if you want to get in touch with us.