The following information will, we hope, give an idea of the breadth of ministry of the seven churches in the Benefice:
Beercrocombe |
Curry Mallet |
Hatch Beauchamp |
Orchard Portman |
Stoke St Mary |
Staple Fitzpaine |
West Hatch |
Staff:
Rector: Rev. Joanna Porter
Readers: Sue McKen, Brian Crudge, Clive Hayward (Reader Emeritus)
The Ministry Team (consisting of the above) meets approximately every six weeks to pray, discuss and plan. Every Tuesday some of the Team meet for prayer.
Lay involvement:
There is significant lay involvement across all the churches. All of them have lesson readers and several have intercession leaders.There is a choir at Hatch Beauchamp and ringers at all the churches although at some they are not rung at every service. There is a Benefice pastoral care team with members in each parish. As part of the care offered by the team meals can be provided to individuals and families who have been in hospital. A number of people are involved in keeping the churches clean and decorating them with flowers. Several adults are involved in children and youth work (see below for details) and there is an safeguarding officer to oversee the policy for the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. The churchwardens do a fantastic job dealing with the administrative matters of each church and relieving the incumbent of endless form filling! There is a monthly Benefice magazine which covers both church and community events.
Service Pattern
|
8.30am BCP HC
|
10am Parish Communion |
10am Worship for All |
Evening services |
1st Sat |
|
|
|
HB Village Hall 4-5.30pm Messy Church |
1st Sun |
Stoke St Mary |
Curry Mallet Staple Fitzpaine |
Hatch Beauchamp |
Orchard Portman Evensong |
2nd Sun |
West Hatch |
Hatch Beauchamp Stoke St Mary |
Curry Mallet |
|
3rd Sun |
Beercrocombe |
West Hatch 10.30am Benefice Communion |
|
|
3rd Wed |
|
|
|
Staple Fitzpaine 6.30pm Reflective Worship |
4th Sun |
Hatch Beauchamp |
Beercrocombe Orchard Portman |
Stoke St Mary |
|
5th Sun |
|
Beercrocombe or Orchard Portman Benefice Service |
|
|