Three local village churches celebrated a special milestone on Sunday 4th January, as they came together to congratulate their vicar on ten years of service to the community.
St John’s in Peasedown and St Julian’s in Wellow are part of the St J’s Group of Anglican Churches, which have been led by Revd Matthew Street since he took up the posts of ‘Rector’ and ‘Priest-in-Charge’ in 2005.
The united parish of St Julian’s Shoscombe and James’ Foxcote are also part of the group – having joined after a Church of England clergy reorganisation in 2010.
Matthew, along with his wife Jane and their daughter Hannah, moved to the Peasedown Vicarage in Church Road after a short stint as curate at Holy Trinity Church in Combe Down, Bath.
Joy Fraser, who has served as one of the churchwardens at St John’s in Peasedown for almost six years, said: “We have been extremely blessed to of had Matthew leading us for the last decade.
“His vision, ambition to see the church ingrained in the community, and his love for people, have meant that our churches have gone from strength to strength since he took over.
“Matthew’s natural gifts of leadership and managing people, along with his empathy and ability to meet people on their level, has given us someone who has both strong pastoral skills and a business mind too – which is more and more essential as the church moves forward in the modern world.”
Under Rev Street’s leadership:
- New Sunday services have been introduced which have dramatically increased church attendance.
- Peasedown’s Sunday afternoon service moved from the church to the youth & children’s centre – which has been very effective in building stronger links with the community.
- New after-school, breakfast, and holiday clubs have been introduced.
- Staff have been employed to aid with the church’s growing membership and work in the community. The benefice now employs a children’s pastor, administrator, worship leader, community pastor, youth football coach, an early-years coordinator responsible for children’s work within the church, and an early-years coordinator responsible for outreach.
- Full immersion baptisms have been introduced, with more than 20 people being baptised in this way.
- There has been a continual increase in child naming services and wedding ceremonies. Matthew has married more than 100 people.
- The Somer Valley Foodbank has been introduced. Church members and leaders played an active role in establishing the project, and an even greater role now in managing its day-to-day activities.
- Over £30,000 has been donated by the churches to local, national and international causes.
- Easter, Christmas and Remembrance Sunday services have seen a huge increase in attendance, and support from across the community.
- Churches have taken an active role supporting local initiatives such as Peasedown’s Party in the Park and Wellow’s annual Flower Show.
- The churches continue to play a huge role in the education of children at local schools. Matthew is a governor on the new St Julian’s Wellow, St Julian’s Shoscombe and St Peter’s Camerton, Church Valley Schools Federation.
Colin Tremellen, a churchwarden at St Julian’s Church in Wellow, added: “One of the strong points of any leader in the Church of England has to be the ability to move a church forward, but at the same time be able to respect and recognise the important role tradition plays in the Christian faith.
“Because of the historical significance of our church in Wellow, this has meant that Matthew has had to strike a favourable balance – which he has done very well.
“He has, successfully, reached out to new people in our village with the Christian message, but also supported the continual work to preserve the Church building for future generations.”
More than one hundred people, including civic leaders, gathered for a special service at St John’s, Peasedown, on Sunday 4th January to thank Matthew, Jane and Hannah, and present them with a gift and a Memory Book put together by church members.
The service was followed by a buffet lunch at Peasedown Youth and Children’s Centre.
Peasedown councillor Nathan Hartley, who has worked with Matthew over last ten years, both as former employee of the church and as a local councillor, said: “Some of the achievements listed are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the positive difference Matthew and Jane have made to our communities.
“They’ve helped so many people, and have always been willing to put their own needs to one side for the sake of supporting others.
“They’ve become close friends over the last decade, and the great news for us all is that they aren’t leaving us anytime soon. God willing, the Street’s will be with us for some years to come yet.”
