THE LATEST INFORMATION FROM YOUR DEANERY TEAM
September 2026
Welcome to our September mailing.
This month sees the launch of a new ‘Coffee and Cake’ Deanery Alpha course beginning on Wednesday 23rd September. This new Alpha course will take place on Wednesday mornings at St John’s Church in Peasedown. Please prayerfully consider inviting friends and neighbours to this daytime course.
The same week sees the beginning of the Local Preacher Training course on Tuesday 22nd. See below for details of both these and ponder who to invite or point towards these initiatives.
A reminder to members of Midsomer Norton Deanery Synod that the next meeting will take place at St John’s Chilcompton on 8th October.
Please send content for future editions of this eNews by 20th of the month.
Both beginning in September:
Deanery ‘Coffee and Cake’ Alpha on Wednesday mornings
Local Preacher Training on Tuesday evenings
An opportunity to ‘up-skill’ and grow in service and ministry is coming up in September. Rev Ian Roussell will be leading a course train a group from across our Deanery parishes to preach in their local church. If you think this could be for you, or someone in your church please let your vicar know of your interest. Details below.
Four local candidates take a step of faith at he
Annual Deanery Service
On Sunday, 26th July, Andy, Kim, Sarah, and David stood before family, friends, and members of over twenty congregations across the Midsomer Norton Deanery to take a major step in their journeys of faith during a special Confirmation Service held in Chilcompton.
Presided over by the Bishop of Taunton, Fiona Gibson, the service centred on the four candidates as they publicly affirmed their personal commitment to Christ after preparation through a recent Deanery Alpha course.
Personal Paths to Faith
Each candidate shared a moving testimony about the unique experience that brought them to this milestone:
Andy, a member at St Nicholas in Radstock, shared how moving to the area to reconnect with family prompted him to join a local Alpha Course. Having been raised in the free church, he noted that he had put off confirmation for years, but the Alpha course helped cement his decision to make a public statement of faith.
Sarah recalled coming to church a couple of years ago during a time when “all signposts seemed to point to Christianity”. Having explored other spiritual practices in the past without finding answers, she described experiencing an unexpected sense of peace and self-acceptance after joining the church community.
David, from St John the Baptist Church in Midsomer Norton, spoke candidly about turning to God during a period of illness. He shared how the Alpha Course helped him gain a deeper understanding of Christianity and make a conscious commitment alongside fellow members.
Kim shared that her journey began only recently, having not been raised in a church environment. After feeling a strong sense of calling in recent years, she attended the recent Deanery Alpha course, joined a Bible study group, and experienced a profound moment on the Holy Spirit Day that led her to seek confirmation.
A Special Milestone
During the confirmation rite, Andy, Sarah, David, and Kim reaffirmed their baptismal vows, shared prayers of decision, and received the formal laying on of hands by Bishop Fiona Gibson.
The celebration concluded with a warm welcome for all four as they begin this new chapter in their Christian lives.
Pictured above: Andy, Kim, Bishop Fiona, Esther and Sarah
Do you have something to share in the next
MSN Deanery Newsletter?
Please email msndeanery@gmail.com with your news and photographs
to be included in future newsletters.
Deadline for October newsletter-
September 20th
