THE LATEST INFORMATION FROM YOUR DEANERY TEAM - August 2023
Fun Times!
Come and have some family fun times at St John’s Church Peasedown in the school holidays for children up to the age of 11.
With a large obstacle course for primary school age children, a smaller bouncy castle for children under 5, plus a pop up cafe selling coffee and yummy cakes.
Costs (payable when you arrive):
Child: £2per child and under 1s free.
Drinks: £1
Cake: 50p
Please bring cash/change preferably or we can take card payments too.
No need to book – just turn up from 10am
Find out more here.
The Reverend Nathaniel Worsley, ordained Deacon in June 2023 at Wells Cathedral, has joined The Waterside Benefice (St. Nicholas’ Church, Radstock and St. Peter’s Church, Westfield) as a curate.
Over its 800 years of worship, St. Nicholas’ has had many curates, but St. Peter’s, which began its life in a redundant railway carriage in 1905, near what is now the Shell Garage, has never had a curate to assist its minister; although the church functioned with lay-readers until 1914 when a Curate-in-Charge was appointed as the first ordained minister. This means that Nathaniel is a new facet to the ministry at St. Peter’s and, with the widening of the Reverend Ian Rousell’s ministry in the new benefice, created when St. Nicholas and St. Peter’s merged to form the Waterside Benefice, he is a very welcome addition to the team.
Nathaniel had a significant role in helping people, particularly young people, come to faith before he started on the path to ordination. The call to ministry was felt when Nathaniel was younger but he also felt convinced that God wanted him to encourage people to faith by working alongside of them as an outdoors instructor, leading groups in such pursuits as mountain biking, canoeing, rock climbing and hill walking – most of these activities taking place in the wilds of Scotland (a perfect example of God’s creation as an outdoor and faith teaching aid). Following these arduous pursuits alongside of people, whilst at the same to encouraging them to think about their faith was a great way to encourage people to consider that faith and ask questions. Nathaniel is grateful for the help and support of others, particularly his wife, in pushing him over the line in encouraging him to take ordination seriously.
The work Nathaniel did before his ordination has left a big imprint on him and has shaped how he thinks about ministry, he is excited to bring that experience to Radstock and Westfield over the next few years.
He feels the real test of his ministry is how faith plays out in our day to day lives. When we go home, to school or housework – what does our faith look like to us. Nathaniel is looking forward to working alongside our Rector, Ian Rousell, learning and growing with each other, as they seek to share their vision of faith with our congregations and the people of Radstock and Westfield.
Mike Davies (St Peter’s PCC & Deanery Synod Representative)
Beginning on Tuesday 5th Sept 7-00pm – 9-30pm (then every Tuesday for 12 weeks) at St Peters Westfield.
We all explore, every day, knowingly and unknowingly.
For all our searching, it’s rare to find time to think, and talk about the big questions of life; about faith and reason and God and meaning.
Alpha offers the opportunity to do just that, in an informal, friendly and open environment. The Alpha course is available to all, whether you have a faith or none
No two Alphas are the same, but all have three key things in common:
Food, a talk and good conversation.
Each session starts with food, because it’s a great way to build community and get to know each other.
Then a talk designed to engage and inspire conversation.
Probably the most important part of any Alpha is the conversation.
The chance to share thoughts and ideas on the topic, and simply discuss it in a small group. There’s no obligation to say anything and there’s nothing you can’t say. Seriously, it’s an opportunity to hear from others and contribute your own perspective in an honest, friendly and open environment.
Rev Ian Rousell
