Beckington is the largest village in the benefice and a thriving and friendly place with a population of approximately 1000. The parish includes two small rural communities in Rudge and Standerwick giving a total population of about 1,300 people. The village has grown by over 120 new homes in the past decade or so, with a variety of housing making for a friendly and supportive community with a wide range of village activities, clubs and societies, including Cricket, Tennis and Fitness, bellringing, monthly Lunch Club, annual pantomime, Village Choir, Royal British Legion and WI. There are thriving farms and local businesses. The village hosts art and craft exhibitions, scarecrow trails, village carol singing and a monthly community coffee morning. Many of the church family are actively involved in village activities, events and organisations, and we recently organised a village clean-up. St George’s is a large village church with a Norman tower and a 15th century nave. Some of the Victorian pews have been removed to provide a more flexible use of the space, with a comfortable prayer corner and a children’s area. The church is kept open every day, which is appreciated by both those who come to sit and pray and a small but steady flow of visitors. The church building is generally in a good state of repair and we are in the process of replacing the heating system. The building has good acoustics and lighting with a modern sound and projection system. It lacks a kitchen or a toilet but these facilities are provided across the road in the church school hall and we are currently looking at providing a servery and toilet facilities at the church, with a vision to increase the use of our building as a community space. The hall was opened in 2004 as a joint venture between the school and church. St George’s have priority of use on a Sunday and it is where we enjoy refreshments after services, shared lunches, teas and occasional church meetings.
Our Values
We value a strong Bible teaching ministry, looking to Scripture as the principal source of our knowledge and understanding about God, his character, and his plans and purposes for his world. We pray regularly “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth…” and we believe that Jesus, as the king of this kingdom, should be central to all that is taught, and shape how we interact with one another and the world around us. We embrace the graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit, empowering his people to live out the life of God that flows through us, loving and caring for one another and for those outside of our church family, so that by his grace, lives and communities can be transformed. We have a culture of lay ministry and seek a leader to come alongside and work in partnership with us, helping us to encourage growth in discipleship and enable more people to use their gifts within the body of Christ. We have warm relationships with mission partners in Thailand and South Sudan and also support Scripture Union, MAF and local initiatives; we have for many years had a policy of giving away a tithe of our non-designated income. We operate a collection point for the Fair Frome foodbank in church.
Our Worship
Services are predominantly contemporary and include both traditional hymns played on the organ, and more modern music, led by a small worship group. There is also a monthly BCP Matins service. There is a team of organists who share playing at all services plus weddings and funerals. Attendance is up to 36 people at the CW services and around 20 at BCP Matins. Festival services are well attended by the local community, with our traditional Candlelit Carol Service attracting about 80 people. On Remembrance Sunday we welcome the Beckington British Legion, their chaplain, the Beckington Bandits band and village choir to our service (128 attended in 2022). We have a keen group of bell ringers who ring on Sundays, at weddings and other special occasions. We average 5 weddings, 7 funerals, 4 burials of ashes and 1-2 baptisms each year. People often comment on the real welcome they encounter, a strong sense of family and prayer. We have been encouraged by people deepening their faith and serving in numerous ways to build up the church community.
Nurture & Discipleship
We encourage all church members to offer their experience and develop their gifts and skills to participate in the life and mission of God’s kingdom in this place. There are three Beckington based home groups, that include members from other parishes within the benefice, each following their own pattern in developing fellowship through Bible study, discussion and prayer.
Prayer
Prayer is a priority for us and we meet to pray for our mission partners, our benefice (with shared tea!) and for weekly midday prayer. We have a quiet prayer corner with prayer tree, an email prayer chain and takeaway cards to encourage prayer for our streets.
Schools
We have close links with the two schools in the village: Beckington CofE First School, with some 90 pupils, is just across the road from the church. We have previously shared festival services and some assemblies are held in the church. Springmead Independent Preparatory School (3 to 11 years) is also nearby. The school has a strong Christian ethos and hold their own harvest thanksgiving and carol service in the church. Both schools come to a joint morning assembly in St George’s once a term. There is also a Preschool in the village.
The Beckington Group Mothers’ Union
The Beckington Group Mothers’ Union is active, serves the whole Frome Deanery area and is led by a member of St George’s. Friends of St Georges: The Friends have been raising funds for maintaining the fabric of St George’s Church since 2000. While the PCC aims to raise the funds for ministry from church members, FOSG is well supported by the wider community. Popular events include a Plant Sale & Coffee morning, pop up produce stall, Autumn Fayre, Open Gardens and a St George’s Day Celebration. ‘Open Arts’ exhibitions and concerts have been held in the church. The Friends are always ready to support special services with refreshments, including mulled wine and mince pies after the traditional Candlelit Carol Service. Their superb efforts cover all of the ongoing maintenance costs of the church building, draw members of the community together and deepen our connection with them.
The PCC
The PCC meets bi-monthly and functions well as a team, carrying out a lot of its responsibilities through sub-committees, namely Faith Sharing, Fabric, Friends of St George’s and Eco committees. We look forward to welcoming our new minister and working together to see Jesus’ kingdom grow.