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St Michael's Church September 13th 3pm

On September 13th at 3pm at St Michael’s Church we want representatives of as many groups as possible to take part in a ‘A Celebration of our Community’. Someone from each group able to participate, (not necessarily the leader), will have a short time slot to say what the group does and how it is valued by those involved. The style will be that of an informal interview. The service will be a joyful thanksgiving for the good that flows from the generosity of all the volunteers, and from the outward looking activities of our village Church of England primary school and of Creech Baptist church.

We are planning to show appreciation of all that goes on here by serving a free Cream Tea to all who attend the service.If you lead something, or you are a member of a group that covers Creech within its catchment, and you want your group and its leaders to be affirmed in their service to the community, then please ring me on 01823 442269. I hope pretty well everything that is good here will be represented. Let’s work together to make this a great celebration of the Creech community and those who serve it and make it what it is.

Article written by Nigel Finch of Somerset Web Services who updates and maintains the Creech St Michael website for the community of Creech St Michael.

On Sunday 13th September 2009, over 40 representatives of groups in Creech St Michael, joined together in a moving service named ‘A Celebration of our Community” and organised by Ian Aldersley, Priest in Charge, St Michael Church.

The service was opened with an introduction from Ian,
“We have come together to share worship, prayer and thanksgiving, and to celebrate the rich diversity of groups serving people of different ages, skills and interests in this place.

“Today we renew our sense of duty and service, and show appreciation of all those who give of themselves for the good of this community after the example of Christ our servant King.”

It was extremely encouraging and rewarding to see such a positive response by all the groups in Creech. There were so many active groups all very keen to describe their services to all members of the congregation and demonstrate what a vibrant community we have in Creech with so much going on.

Groups, volunteers and more formal organisations are providing a huge range of facilities for all ages groups, from the young to the young at heart across all walks of life! These range from a pre-school activities for under 5’s through to the Creech over 60’s club, as shown below. There seems to be an activity for just about anything you could imagine.

The service was inspired by Ian Aldersley, Priest in Charge of Creech St Michael, Ruishton, and Thornfalcon.  At Ruishton in 2008 a similar event was held at which 33 groups were represented. It was such a successful promotion of the groups and affirmation of their leaders that Ian felt it should be repeated for Creech St Michael.

A representative of each group had the opportunity to talk briefly to a packed congregation at the church and describe the various services they offered to the community.

Groups and their representatives who presented at the service included:

After the celebration service we walked over the bridge to the garden of Mrs Josie Hopkins where all were treated to delicious free cream teas served by Sandy Adams and St Michael’s church hospitality team. Mrs Hopkins can be seen below receiving a bouquet of flowers from Ian Aldersley as thanks for her generous hospitality.

Thanks were given to organist Peter Cox, the church choir, AAW band and everybody who took part in the Celebration of our Community.

Special thanks were also given to Sandy Adams and her team of helpers who produced and served the delicious cream teas which rounded off a perfect afternoon of friendship and warmth of community togetherness.

Nigel Finch, 17th September 2009