for Jesus
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.
Rector
Parish Office
Children’s, Youth and Families’
Worker
Creative Pioneer Pastor
Churchwardens (Shepton)
Parish Church
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
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
"...the truth will set you free.” John 8 verse 32
Dear Church Family
I have few concerns but those I have run deep. One is to have a right fear of the Lord another is about truth. Inevitably they are linked but let's spend a moment thinking about truth.
The last 100 years saw extraordinary events and developments: World Wars I and II, development of nuclear weapons and power, landing on the moon, the Internet and the emergence of artificial intelligence. However, of greater significance and impact than all these was the change in our attitude to truth.
While we continue to rely on truth to deliver faster internet, more efficient cars and remarkable medical treatments, routinely we reject truth when it comes to how we should live. People say things like, ‘It doesn’t matter what you believe so long as you are a good person.’ or ‘Do what you want so long as you don’t hurt anyone else.’ or ‘Just be true to yourself.’ Such ideas all sound quite reasonable and hopeful. For one thing, they are also far, far less demanding that being so concerned to know and believe the right things. For another, they seem to offer a way for us all to get along even while believing quite different things. And, amazingly, Churches that follow this approach often thrive… for a time. Sooner or later however, things begin to go wrong.
First, where everyone can have their own ‘truth’ the focus is inevitably less on what to believe and how to live and more on the experience of being together.
Secondly, therefore, such Churches begin to obsess about the music, the image, the ‘feel.’
Thirdly, gatherings need big personalities to conjure up atmosphere and give people some experience otherwise, why be there?
Fourthly, when this happens, it really is great and fun and, very difficult to keep the focus on Jesus.
Whenever a Church puts personalities, experience and image above Jesus it has two options: to repent or to be removed by Him.
"...the truth will set you free.” isn’t some soundbite for a T shirt. Jesus was speaking into a context. He said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
As His faithful people, He calls us to care deeply about His truth. Yes, this does require more effort on our part: more concern, more thought, more care over His teaching but His promise is true freedom. So the question for us all to contemplate is simply this: will I hold to His teaching and be His?
Holding to His Truth as best I can
Jonathan
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
May 21
Jonathan’s Sermon
(10.30 church service)
Concerning The Unmarried
1 Corinthians 7:25-40 (read by Sue Crisfield)
Sermon
Sunday
May 7
Jonathan’s Sermon
(10.30 church service)
Concerning Change of Status
1 Corinthians 7:10-24 (read by Debbie Dance)
Sermon
Sunday
April 30
Jonathan’s Sermon
(10.30 church service)
Concerning Married Life
1 Corinthians 7:1-9 (read by Stephen Jarrett)
Sermon
Sunday
April 23
Jonathan’s Sermon
(10.30 church service)
The Great Commission
Matthew 28:16-20 (read by Ros Baldwin)
Sermon
Sunday
April 9
Jonathan’s Sermon
(10.30 church service)
The Empty Tomb
John 20:1-18 (narrated by Debbie Dance and acted by the children)
Sermon
Sunday
April 2
Jonathan’s Sermon
(10.30 church service)
Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy
Luke 9:37-51 (read by Pat Penn)
Sermon
Sunday
March 26
Jonathan’s Sermon
(10.30 church service)
Peter Declares That Jesus Is The Messiah
Luke 9:18-36 (read by Chris Lord)
Sermon
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
Shepton LifeStream
Inspirational Radio, all day, every day
(see the programme schedule below)
Click above to play
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
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
Heath and Safety
Our health and safety policy document can be downloaded here
Fire Risk Assessement
Our fire risk assessment document can be downloaded here
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
Basis of Faith
We are a part of the Church of England. We uphold the biblical truths on which the Church of England was founded. These truths are described in the laws which govern the Church of England.
'The doctrine (the truths we believe and live by) of the Church of England is grounded in the Holy Scriptures, and in such teachings of the ancient Fathers and Councils of the Church as are agreeable to the said Scriptures. In particular such doctrine is to be found in the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion, The Book of Common Prayer, and the Ordinal.'
This is canon A5 and can be found here
The Thirty-nine Articles of Religion can be found here, The Book of Common Prayer can be found here. They are both quite detailed and a bit difficult to read. The following is a faithful and true summary of the core beliefs they describe.
We believe . . .
in the one true God who lives eternally in three persons – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
in the love, grace and sovereignty of God in creating, sustaining, ruling, redeeming and judging the world.
in the divine inspiration and supreme authority of the Old and New Testament Scriptures, which are the written Word of God – fully trustworthy for faith and conduct.
in the dignity of all people, made male and female in God’s image to love, be holy and care for creation, yet corrupted by sin, which incurs divine wrath and judgement.
in the incarnation of God’s eternal Son, the Lord Jesus Christ – born of the virgin Mary; truly divine and truly human, yet without sin.
in the atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross: dying in our place, paying the price of sin and defeating evil, so reconciling us with God.
in the bodily resurrection of Christ, the first fruits of our resurrection; his ascension to the Father, and his reign and mediation as the only Saviour of the world.
in the justification of sinners solely by the grace of God through faith in Christ.
in the ministry of God the Holy Spirit, who leads us to repentance, unites us with Christ through new birth, empowers our discipleship and enables our witness.
in the church, the body of Christ both local and universal, the priesthood of all believers — given life by the Spirit and endowed with the Spirit’s gifts to worship God and proclaim the gospel, promoting justice and love.
in the personal and visible return of Jesus Christ to fulfil the purposes of God, who will raise all people to judgement, bring eternal life to the redeemed and eternal condemnation to the lost, and establish a new heaven and new earth.
Who we are
We are 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!
Jonathan Hunter Dunn
Albert Owen
Gill Goodall
Rector
Reader
Reader
Helen Bennett
Rachel Lord
Emma Hunter Dunn
Jeff Petch-Harrison
Benefice
Administrator
Children and Families Worker
Bible Fellowship
Ministry Leader
Verger
Jonathan Hunter Dunn
Nick Bennett
Vaughan Ives
Andy Paull
Robert Goodhand
Sylvia Ingham
Rector
Churchwarden
Churchwarden
Treasurer
PCC Secretary
Standing Committee Member
Dave Crisfield
Suzi McKenzie
Moira Knight
Cliff Brown
Stephen Jarrett
John Knight
PCC Lay Chair
PCC Member
PCC Member
PCC Member
PCC Member
PCC Member
Chris Lord
Ros Baldwin
Steve Bruce-Jones
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.
Download our tri-fold events leaflet for the coming month
Details of our youth and families work will follow here
