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. 2024 Alpha Course at Shepton Mallet 2024 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

Contact: Helen Bennett

01749 342163

admin@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 © 2024 Shepton Mallet Benefice. All rights reserved - Web design by media concepts (v18) custard creme

A letter from Jonathan

The Lord is King for ever and ever;
the nations will perish from His land.
You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.  Psalm 10 verses 16 and 17

Dear Church Family

Since the beginning of the year I've been reading through the Psalms, one each morning. The vast majority of the early Psalms are written by king David. It is striking how David pours out his heart to the Lord, often pleading for help and rescue. It is instructive to be shown how pray when we feel alone, burdened, attacked, insulted. It is deeply comforting to read testimony after testimony of the Lord's faithfulness to David. 

In those seasons where my life has been difficult, I have found David's approach profoundly instructive and received comfort and even joy in the Lord's ever-present help in a time of trouble, Psalm 46 verse 1. On more than one occasion, I have imagined the Lord listening to me pour out my heart with such attention and love, responding to each burden with, 'I know.', 'I know.', 'I know.' To be heard and understood - 'known' - in our distress is comforting, uplifting and sustaining even before He intervenes. It is comforting, uplifting and sustaining, even when He doesn't intervene for a time or, indeed, at all in the way we would like and hope. 

This is our Lord, mine and yours! And He loves to take us beyond ourselves: He comforts so we know how to comfort one another, not as well as He can but in tangible ways. Imperfect thought they may be, our comfort of one another is precious in His sight and, as we remind each other of His perfect tender love and care, we will have testimony after testimony of the Lord's faithfulness to us. 

Never underestimate His love and care for you: He listens, loves and says, 'I know.'
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.

Winter Term Sermon Series

Luke

‘This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to Him’ Luke 9 verse 35

We pick up Luke’s account of Jesus as he sets out for Jerusalem. Thus far, Luke has focussed on the deeds of Jesus. After the Transfiguration and the Father’s command to listen to His Son, Luke focuses on Jesus’ teaching. There is much to bless and instruct us in His words

Sunday

March 17

Jonathan’s sermon

(10.30 church service)

Warnings and encouragements
Luke 12:1-12 (read by Vaughan Ives)

Sermon

Sunday

March 10

Ben Notley

(19.00 church service)

Ben speaking at Revive

Sermon

Sunday

March 10

Jonathan’s sermon

(10.30 church service)

The six woes
Luke 11:37-54 (read by Katharine Thompson)

Sermon

Sunday

March 3

Jonathan’s sermon

(10.30 church service)

Demanding miracles, rejecting Jesus
Luke 11:27-36 (read by Sue Crisfield) - sorry about the clipped beginning of the reading

Sermon

Sunday

February 25

Jonathan and Andy Paull

(10.30 church service)

Where does the money go?
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (read by Rosalind Ives) and Psalm 78:1-8 (read by Suzi McKenzie)

Sermon

Sunday

February 18

Paul Jarrett’s Sermon

Baptism of Joshua Jarrett
Exodus 2:1-10 (read by Helen Bennett)

(10.30 church service)

Sermon

Sunday

February 11

Jonathan’s Sermon

The Clash of Kingdoms
Luke 11:14 -28 (read by Rosalind Ives)

(10.30 church service)

Sermon

Sunday

February 4

Julian’s Sermon

The Lord’s Prayer and Praying
Luke 11:1 -13 (read by Sami Cobley)

(10.30 church service)

Sermon

Sunday

January 28

Jonathan’s Sermon

Mary and Martha
Luke 10:38-11:4 (read by Debbie Dance)

(10.30 church service)

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

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

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

Our Church Family and What We Believe

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

Who’s who in the Benefice?

Benefice Clergy, Readers and Staff

Jonathan Hunter Dunn

Albert Owen

Gill Goodall

Julian Tucker

Rector

Reader

Reader

Reader

Helen Bennett

Emma Hunter Dunn

Jeff Petch-Harrison

Benefice

Administrator

Bible Fellowship
Ministry Leader

Verger

Shepton Mallet Standing Committee

Jonathan Hunter Dunn

Nick Bennett

Vaughan Ives

Andy Paull

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

John Knight

PCC Lay Chair

PCC Member

PCC Member

PCC Member

PCC Member

PCC Member
and Cashier

Ros Baldwin

Steve Bruce-Jones

PCC Member

and Shepton PSO

PCC Member

What’s occurring at church?

Alpha Course at Church

Youth and Families

Details of our youth and families work will follow here