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Parish of Somerford Keynes with Shorncote

All Saints Somerford Keynes AD 685

All Saints Shorncote (Churches Conservation Trust)

Village population:     C. 400 

https://www.thamesheadchurches.org.uk/our-churches/somerford-keynes-with-shorncote/

Key aspects of church life

  • Recognisably Anglican, HC on 1st Sunday; MP on 3rd of each month
  • Church and village life very much intertwined – over 90% of villagers responded to the Neighbourhood Development Plan that the church is an important part of our community.
  • It is important in a rural community, where ours is the only church, that we care about members of the wider community of the parish as well as our own congregation. This achieves more than we could through formal mission activity.
  • Groups of villagers regularly get together both socially and in order to maintain village amenities. These gatherings are important channels for checking on the health and welfare of our neighbours, whether they need assistance, a hospital visit or just some company at home.
  • While much is done to support the incumbent’s pastoral care in the village, we recognise the importance of our priest being actively involved and visible in our village, visiting those who are very sick and the bereaved, being integral to life in Somerford Keynes: not on the periphery.
  • Volunteers manage rotas to ensure church is cleaned, bells are rung, flowers are refreshed, the churchyard is maintained, service preparation is completed.
  • The church has 4 bells, rung for weddings and funerals as well as Sunday services. The bells also form part of village celebrations to mark events such as the coronation.
  • Youth ministry is supported financially and with a parishioner as part of the “team”.
  • Kemble is our main benefice hub for regular children-centric services and activities.
  • Harvest festival and lunch, Christmas Crib, Nativity and Carol services, Mothering Sunday and Easter services, together with Messy Church, all attract younger families to our services.
  • New families present a great opportunity to welcome new people to worship with us.
  • No Village School, so children attend schools in Kemble, Cirencester, Stroud and elsewhere.
  • Although most Childrens’ activities do not involve members of the PCC directly, members are all DBS checked and have completed Safeguarding courses. Safeguarding is treated as an important priority and is well coordinated through a benefice Safeguarding Officer.
  • Weddings and Baptisms are embraced as an opportunity to present a positive experience of church fellowship to a wider section of the community – Somerford Keynes is a beautiful church seating over 100 and has the only car park in our benefice.

An Active PCC

  • PCC meets 4 times annually to oversee stewardship of fabric and finances, fund-raising activity, and support our church wardens in matters of Mission and service patterns.
  • No current Benefice Council but the concept is supported and largely achieved de facto through Benefice-wide church wardens’ meetings with the Rector.
  • The PCC regards the Parish Share as a priority and manages events to achieve that.
  • Fund-raising activities are judged by the PCC as much for their community involvement as for the funds raised – albeit the funds are both welcome and necessary.
  • Individual villagers, not always regular church-goers, lead some fund-raising activities such as quiz nights and safari suppers, sometimes splitting proceeds between the church and other charities. Carol singing  through the village raises money for Winston’s Wish each year.

A summer Open Garden

Two homes with beautifully maintained gardens open them to the public every other year in turn. This is one of the principal fund-raising activities alongside a Christmas Fayre in the Village Hall. These are wonderful opportunities for the whole community to come together and for new people to become involved with the village and with the church at its heart.

All Saints, Shorncote

This tiny Grade II listed church, less than a mile from Somerford Keynes, is now maintained by the Churches Conservation Trust www.visitchurches.org.uk with the PCC Somerford Keynes responsible for the churchyard. A service takes place once each year, on the first Sunday after Christmas.

Friends of Somerford Keynes Church

The Friends of Somerford Keynes Church is a fund-raising body, independent of the PCC but with our two church wardens as its current trustees.  Many improvements to the church structure have resulted from grants made by the Friends, and the involvement of the whole community is greatly valued.

Somerford Keynes Village Lake

In addition to the public water parks, www.cotswoldcountryparkandbeach.com  we have our own village lake, presenting an opportunity to volunteer and get to know other villagers who meet a few times each year to keep the paths and picnic furniture in prime condition. www.somerfordkeynes.org.uk