WHO ARE WE?
We are a Church of England congregation which forms part of a United Benefice with St John's in the High Street (click here to visit their website), and St Mary's at Meare. We call this group of churches the “Abbey Parishes”. Although we are independent churches with separate Church Councils, we all share clergy and resources, and we worship together regularly.
WHERE ARE WE?
St Benedict's Church building is located near the top of Benedict Street (which continues down from the bottom of Glastonbury High Street). Click here for a map (in a new window), courtesy of streetmap.co.uk. There has been a church on the site since 1091.
WHAT SORT OF CONGREGATION ARE WE?
Although small in number, we pride ourselves on being warm and friendly, and visitors are always welcome at our services.
HOW DO WE WORSHIP?
We worship in modern language and we try to make it easy to follow. Some parts of the Eucharist (Holy Communion) service are sung - we alternate between two quite different musical settings, both written by members of our congregation. Our singing is led by our small choir.
The Eucharist is very important to us as part of our spiritual life together, but it is not the only way we worship. When we share worship at St Benedict's with Glastonbury United Reformed Church, we worship more informally and usually without Communion, one aim of which is to be accessible for people who are less familiar with Church of England services. These services also provide opportunities to make us think about God and our lives in ways that the constraints of a more formal service don't allow.
Once a month we hold Café Church on Sunday morning. This comprises fellowship and informal worship shared around tables with tea, coffee and biscuits. Although it is informal, it follows a set order ("Menu") including singing, Bible reading, discussion and prayers. It is followed by a simple lunch.
A timetable of our services is included on our index page - click here to visit it.
This beautiful old instrument was recently gifted to St Benedict's.
SHARING WITH OTHER CHURCHES
Also once a month we share worship with Glastonbury United Reformed Church, alternating between their building and ours. We have been working together in this way for a number of years, very much to our mutual benefit.
On months with a fifth Sunday, the congregations of the Abbey Parishes of Glastonbury and Meare worship together at one of our three churches in rotation.
St Benedict's is a member of Glastonbury Christians Together, and participates in services and events organised by this ecumenical group encompassing the main denominations in the town.
WHO ARE OUR CLERGY?
Our clergy divide their time and attention between the three Abbey Parishes. This makes a heavy workload for them to bear, and we all support them with our love and prayers.
Our vicar is Revd David MacGeoch. He moved here with his wife Cathy and three children in the summer of 2008, having previously been vicar of Pawlett near Bridgwater. He is supported from time to time by a number of local retired clergy and other clergy granted Permission to Officiate (PTO).
WHAT IS OUR VISION AND MISSION?
We are a fellowship of followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, seeking to share the love of God among ourselves and with those around us. We are stewards of the sacred space, hallowed by centuries of prayer, which is enclosed by our church building.
Our vision is of a living church, sustainable for future generations. We see our building being used not only by ourselves, but also by diverse groups and individuals for both sacred and secular purposes. We envisage that those entering our building will be touched by its particular holiness, thereby being led by the Holy Spirit to a deeper awareness of God.
Our mission is to proclaim and live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ in all we say and do. We will serve God in prayer and worship, and by opening our doors in hospitality to minister to the spiritual and physical needs of the community. In believing this is God's purpose for us, we trust Him alone to provide the grace, love and growth that we need.