for Jesus

Welcome!

From Shepton Mallet, Cranmore and Doulting Churches

A very warm welcome to the home of Shepton Mallet Benefice Churches in the heart of Somerset. Our churches are St Peter and St Paul’s in Shepton Mallet, St Aldhelm’s in the nearby village of Doulting with St Bartholomew’s in the tiny village and civil parish of Cranmore

We have regular services across the benefice each Sunday and at other times throughout the year. We look forward to meeting you!

Events and happenings in the weeks ahead. Information and downloadable posters for future church activities.

Our church and parish office are right in the centre of town with plenty of parking in nearby council car parks. Click below for directions and parking.

Our radio station, Shepton LifeStream is available 24/7 with a mix of worship songs, gentle classical music, and inspirational content streamed to your computer or smart device.

For times and details of our Benefice services and events, click here

Visiting the church or the parish office? click here.  Parish Weekend Away - 12th to 14th May here

Rector

Parish Office

Children’s, Youth and Families’

Worker

Revd Jonathan Hunter Dunn

01749 342420

rector@sheptonbenefice.org

Helen Bennett

01749 342163

admin@sheptonbenefice.org

Rachel Lord

01749 342163

rachel@sheptonbenefice.org

Creative Pioneer Pastor

Churchwardens (Shepton)

Parish Church

Revd Gill Sakakini 

07969 158488 / 01749 880340

revgill.sheptonmallet@gmail.com

<< read more about Gill and her ministry >>

Nick Bennett 07836 246700

Vaughan Ives 07770 523523

admin@sheptonbenefice.org

Via Regal Road or via Church Lane

Shepton Mallet

BA4 5BL

Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults

St Peter & St Paul’s has a child and vulnerable adult protection policy and we take this area of responsibility, along with safer recruitment and staff training, very seriously. All policy documents

Facebook
Twitter @stpeterpaul

Your privacy is as important to us as it is to you. We aim to be clear and open about what we do with your personal information. Please read our Privacy Policy doucment for more information. Designated Data Protection Contact

Copyright © 2023 Shepton Mallet Benefice. All rights reserved - Web design by media concepts (v16) ice cream

A letter from Jonathan

Dear Church Family

I glimpsed the spiritual battle the other day when taking a funeral. Mercifully, the Lord provided a committed Christian, someone I’d never met, who prayed as I took the service. An extraordinary encouragement in a moment of need. The following day, I was reminded of Paul’s words in Ephesians 6. They are well worth quoting - and reading - in full!

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Notice a couple of things. First is the intentionality with which we use this armour. ‘Put on…’, ‘...buckled…’, ‘…in place…’, fitted…’, ‘…take up…’, ’Take…’ This armour requires us proactively to use it. Secondly, the best of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God are there to prevent the devil getting a foothold. The truth, our righteousness, the gospel of peace (with God and one another), our faith and salvation are all ours in Jesus and when applied intentionally to every temptation, fear, doubt and weakness will preserve us. Moreover, we are encouraged to wield the truth of God’s word to confront all attack as we stand firm in Jesus. 

We are weak but we pray and stand trusting in God as fearlessly we make known the mystery of the gospel. We can only do this - I can only do this - as others pray as that precious sister in Christ did at that funeral. Knowing I did not stand alone I preached Christ and Him crucified for our forgiveness. Pray on dear friends! 

Standing firm in His strength
Jonathan

Church services in the benefice

Listen Again!

Our services are now live-streamed via our online radio station Shepton LifeStream and are available to listen live on Sunday mornings and at regular times throughout the week here

The audio recordings of the reading and sermon from these services are also available to hear again. Click on the play button in the players below.

Sunday

March 19

Jonathan’s Sermon

(10.30 church service)

Jesus Sends Out The Twelve
Luke 9:1-17 (read by Debbie Dance)

Sermon

Sunday

March 12

Jonathan’s Sermon

(10.30 church service)

Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman
Luke 8:40-56 (read by Suzi McKenzie)

Sermon

Sunday

March 5

Matthew’s Sermon

(10.30 church service)

Jesus Calms The Storm
Luke 8:22-39 (read by Stephen Jarrett)

Sermon

Sunday

February 26

Jonathan’s Sermon

(10.30 church service)

The Parable of The Sower
Luke 8:4-15 (read by Rosalind Ives)

Sermon

Sunday

February 19

Jonathan’s Sermon

(10.30 church service)

Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman
Luke 7:36-8:3 (read by Jane Bolt)

Sermon

Sunday

February 12

Jonathan’s Sermon

(10.30 church service)

Jesus and John The Baptist
Luke 7:18-35 (read by Rose Longman)

Sermon

Sunday

February 5

Alan’s Sermon

(10.30 church service)

The Faith of The Centurion
Luke 7:1-17 (read by Ros Baldwin)

Sermon

Sunday

January 29

Jonathan’s Sermon

(10.30 church service)

A Speck of Sawdust

Luke Luke 6:39-49 (read by Debbie Dance)

Sermon

Sunday

January 22

Alan’s Sermon

(10.30 church service)

Love for Enemies

Luke 6:27-38 (read by Rosalind Ives)

Sermon

Shepton LifeStream

Inspirational Radio, all day, every day

(see the programme schedule below)

Click above to play

cover art

Shepton LifeStream is an online radio station brought to you by St Peter and St Paul’s Parish Church, Shepton Mallet. It’s on the air 24 hours each day with a mix of worship songs, gentle classical music, and meaningful content streamed to your computer, or any smart device. See below for the current schedule.

Playing now . . .

Recently played items . . .

LifeStream Programme Schedule

All day, every day - enjoy a mix of inspirational worship songs and gentle classical music

Daily at 12.00 midday and 12.00 midnight - listen to our sermon of the week from our current sermon series

Daily at 11.00 and 16.00 - Kids’ Praise! A Bible story followed by your favourite children’s worship songs

Daily at 17.00 - Faith in Kids Podcast with Jam, Amy and Ed. Find out more about this podcast here!

Daily at 21.00 - Instrumental Praise - no words, just restful, contemplative music

Sunday at 10.30 - live audio of our Morning Worship Service from Shepton Mallet Parish Church

Other convenient ways to listen to Shepton LifeStream

If you have Alexa, you should be able to set up Alexa to play Shepton LifeStream via MyTuner Radio as a ‘skill’. See your Alexa app for more details.

You can now download the MyTuner Radio app for IOS and Android. Search for Shepton LifeStream and select it as a favourite. Visit MyTuner Radio on their website.

You can now download the Online Radio Box app for IOS and Android. Search for Shepton LifeStream and select it as a favourite.Visit Online Radio Box on their website.

Visit Streema on their website. Shepton LifeStream is there too! And also on Radio UK - up there with the best stations in the UK on their website and their app!

We’re grateful to Ed, Jam and Amy for the use of their podcast Faith in Kids for Kids.

See the Faith in Kids website for the full range of Christian resources available at faithinkids.org

Policy Documents

Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults

St Peter & St Paul’s has a child and vulnerable adult protection policy and we take this area of responsibility, along with safer recruitment and staff training, very seriously.

Our safeguarding policy document can be downloaded here

The C of E Promoting a Safer Church document can be downloaded here

Our use of photography policy document can be downloaded here

Towards a Safer Church - Safeguarding Advice - the parents’ guide here

Towards a Safer Church - Safeguarding Advice - the PCC and churchwardens’ guide here

Action Plan - here

Children and Young People Safeguarding Contacts

Revd Jonathan Hunter Dunn 01749 342420 and Ben Goodhind, Diocesan Safeguarding Manager 01749 588917

Shepton Mallet Parish Church

Parish Safeguarding Office (PSO) is Ros Baldwin 07721 096600 safeguarding@sheptonbenefice.org

Deputy PSO is Helen Bennett 01749 346320 admin@sheptonbenefice.org

Doulting Church

Parish Safeguarding Office (PSO) is Edwina Gould 01749 344140 mikegould91@gmail.com

Cranmore Church

Parish Safeguarding Office (PSO) is Revd Gill Sakakini 07969 158488 revgill.sheptonmallet@gmail.com

Benefice DBS and Training Coordinators are Ros Baldwin and Helen Bennett

Privacy Notice

Our Data Privacy Notice  document can be downloaded here

Fire Risk Assessement

Our fire risk assessment document can be downloaded here

Heath and Safety

Our health and safety policy document can be downloaded here

CEEC Basis of Faith

The Church of England Evangelical Council’s Basis of Faith document, to which we as a benefice subscribe, can be downloaded here

Visit the CEEC website to discover more.

Where to find us . . .

Parish Church, Church Lane, Shepton Mallet BA4 5BW (w3w: self.outs.think)

The Parish Church is situated in the centre of town behind the pedestrianised area around the historic Shambles. Access on foot is via several lanes that lead off this area. If you’re coming via car then parking is available at several nearby car parks:
Regal Road East - off Paul Street BA4 5AL

Commercial Road - Old Market Road BA4 5BU

Great Ostry Main - Rectory Road BA4 5TT

Distance to the church from these main car parks is just a few minutes’ walk.

Access to the church in a vehicle is via Regal Road and down past the rear of the Academy Theatre building. There is limited parking in the churchyard. During Sunday services parking is reserved for visitors who require special access.

Church opening hours:

Approximately 09.00 until dusk each day

Parish Office, Peter Street Rooms, Peter Street BA4 5BL (w3w: growth.impulses.packages)

The Parish Office is situated in Peter Street off The Batch. There is no parking in Peter Street, but often limited-time places in nearby The Batch are available. Main car parks are as above.

Distance to the office from these main car parks is just a few minutes’ walk. Access to the office from the church is via a private walkway on the north side of the church (open during office hours) or via the historic, cobbled Church Lane. There is limited parking in the churchyard. During Sunday services, this is reserved for visitors who need special access.

Parish Office opening hours:

Monday and Tuesday - 10.00 until 13.00 or by appointment.

Please call 01749 342163 or 01749 346320 to check.

Peter Street Rooms are available for hire

Peter Street Rooms are the rooms normally used for Church activities but they are also available for hire. We have two large meeting rooms (one with ground floor and ramped access, the other on the first floor) and a smaller meeting room on the second floor. There is a kitchen, male, female and accessible toilets and a small courtyard.

If you would like to find out more details with a view to hiring the rooms, please contact our administrator, Helen Bennett on 01749 342163 or 01749 346320

Our Church Family

Who we are

We are gathering again post covid. Learning from Jesus, that we may live for Jesus and love like Him. We believe that is what Jesus calls us to do. 

When and where

Our weekly service in Shepton Mallet is on Sunday mornings at 10:30 am in the Parish Church. To locate us precisely go here. Our village church services times are here

What to expect

We are a diverse Church family of all ages and backgrounds and who appreciate differing kinds of services. Being together is more important than having exactly what any one of us wants but we do strive to provide a breadth of styles to our services for all to engage in and enjoy. 

How long is our service?

The Sunday service in Shepton Mallet lasts for about 75 minutes. 

Service patterns

Currently we have Holy Communion twice each month on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. On the 4th Sunday, our children and young people return from their groups so that we are all present either to receive the bread and wine or to receive prayer. 

Prayer ministry

Prayer is offered each week during and after the service

What to wear!

Most members of our congregation are generally casual but some a little smarter and some less so. To be honest, we don’t mind how you dress or what you look like - we’d just love for you to come and meet us! 

Youth and Families Work

You’ll be encouraged to know that content for this section of our website is arriving shortly!


Nick

Who’s who in the Benefice?

Benefice Clergy, Readers and Staff

Jonathan Hunter Dunn

Rector

Tony Birbeck

Honorary

Assistant Priest

Albert Owen

Reader

Gill Goodall

Reader

Matthew Dawkins

Reader

Helen Bennett

Rachel Lord

Emma Hunter Dunn

Jeff Petch-Harrison

Benefice

Administrator

Children and Families Worker

Bible Fellowship
Ministry Leader

Verger

Shepton Mallet Standing Committee

Jonathan Hunter Dunn

Nick Bennett

Vaughan Ives

John Knight

Robert Goodhand

Sylvia Ingham

Rector

Churchwarden

Churchwarden

Treasurer

PCC Secretary

Standing Committee Member

Shepton Mallet PCC Members

Dave Crisfield

Suzi McKenzie

Moira Knight

Cliff Brown

Stephen Jarrett

PCC Lay Chair

PCC Member

PCC Member

PCC Member

PCC Member

Chris Lord

Ros Baldwin

Steve Bruce-Jones

PCC Member

PCC Member

and Shepton PSO

PCC Member

What’s occurring at Church?

Posters can be downloaded as PDF files to help publicise events

Church Weekend Away 2023

Yes, we’re back at Quantock Lodge again this year for our weekend away. Full details from Helen in the parish office. Click here to download the booking form.

Events List

Download our tri-fold events leaflet for the coming month