Shepton Mallet Churches Together
The Parish Church plays a full part in Churches Together in Shepton Mallet, with Roman Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, the Salvation Army and Just Church, on the basis of our faith in God and His call to witness. We work and pray together in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the power of His Holy Spirit.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, 18th to 25th January 2009, reminds us of Jesus' prayer to the Father that we might be one "so that the world may believe it was you who sent me." We agreed statements of faith, unity and mission and seek to express them in many ways.
So we publish a Year Book with details of each Church and its activities, and share publicity for Christmas and Easter services. Those festivals are highlights of our life together. At Christmas we sing carols in the centre of town, and round the pubs one evening, and put on a concert in church after a Senior Citizens' meal in different cafes organised by the Chamber of Commerce. On Good Friday hymns and readings in the town centre are followed by a Walk of Witness, ending with hot cross buns. A dawn service is held in Collett Park on Easter morning followed by breakfast.
Every 5th Sunday of the month there is an ecumenical service led by a different Church so we learn to appreciate different styles of worship and spirituality, and we meet regularly to pray together, especially for our town.
The Churches join in the two big annual events of Collett Day and the Mid Somerset Show by running a church tent with displays and refreshments.
A Prayer Room has been set up in the Baptist Church in Commercial Road, as a place of peace, welcome and encouragement for people to pray, whatever Church they belong to or none.