A strong lay team sustains the life and ministry of the benefice and has grown together through sharing and praying together. Churchwardens from across the benefice meet together regularly to plan, share and support one another. We have strong, warm, loving relationships between us even though each church within the group has their own distinct ministry. The Beckington benefice has for several decades comprised the four parishes of St George’s, Beckington; St. Mary’s, Berkley; All Saints’, Rodden and All Saints’, Lullington with St Mary’s, Orchardleigh. As part of the current re-organisation of the Frome Deanery, we are delighted to be joined now by St. Katharine’s, East Woodlands, a rural parish church previously paired with an urban church in Frome. There are many friendships between members of the different churches, and we are continuing to look for opportunities to strengthen relationships within the group. Our journey over the last few years has not been an easy one: a five-year vacancy related to a CDM measure was followed by an appointment that prompted a significant number to leave some of our congregations, and then after only two years we entered another vacancy. All of these have taken their toll and we have greatly valued the contributions and support of local clergy and others who have helped us in our time of need.
Despite the challenges, we are growing together in unity, service and shared purpose. During these vacancies we began to meet monthly to pray for the benefice, our future and our future Priest in charge, and through these times we have grown in faith and trust that God has indeed prepared the right person to come and work alongside us to build his kingdom. We also meet together occasionally for shared lunches, picnics, etc. We have regularly organised and run a benefice Advent and Lent course. We have all embraced the challenge to make our churchyards places to encourage wildlife, in our rural setting. Our monthly benefice newsletter is circulated online to church members and others on request and our monthly Network magazine is delivered to 1,300 homes across the benefice, sharing news, keeping people in touch and helping us to communicate. We are actively looking at ways to refresh our magazine and make the most of this opportunity. We have developed this new benefice website and unified our digital presence.
The benefice wraps around the north and east of the Somerset town of Frome, 13 miles south of Bath, and is mainly rural. Situated on the edge of the beautiful Mendip Hills, Frome is a lively, thriving and eclectic market town with many independent shops. Frome Agricultural Market also lies within our benefice. Our corner of Somerset offers something for everyone, with a wealth of local amenities, things to do and places to explore.
