On Sunday, 2 March Bishop Michael joined in the celebrations to mark the 40-year anniversary of Crook Peak United Parish at St Gregory’s in Weare. The service marked the culmination of a month of celebrations across the parish’s six churches, which together raised over £1,000 for good causes.
Bishop Michael says, “It was a privilege to join Crook Peak to celebrate not only their 40-year landmark anniversary, but also the sense of place that this has enabled. It is wonderful to see their amazing cooperation, which not only allows them to work effectively together, but also has allowed them to enhance the distinctiveness of each of their churches. This was clearly shown in the creativity and range of activities that have taken place to mark this milestone.”
The parish held two talks, a bellringing workshop, a tower tour, a churchyard trail and willow weaving, a concert, a history exhibition, a choral evensong, a teddy bear’s picnic and zipwire a 40-question quiz. Charities who benefited from the celebrations include Ripple Effect International, Water Aid, Christians Against Poverty, Somerset Sight and Weston Hospice and Cheddar Foodbank. The celebrations even got a mention on BBC Radio 2's Vernon Kay show.
Ruth Orriss, Lay Worship Assistant and Administrator for Crook Peak, says “Crook Peak United Parish was formed in 1985, to unite six churches under a single PCC and Vicar. On the eve of being included in a nearby benefice, we felt that 40 years of working well together was worth celebrating. Throughout February 2025 we have held eight events across our six churches, 20 per cent of our parishioners came to something and we raised over £1,000 for charity.
“We achieved this despite being in vacancy for three and a half years. After Bishop Michael accepted our invitation to preside at a celebratory service, that we sent on a prayer, we asked each village if they could come up with an event in the weeks before the service. We knew everyone was hard pressed by the vacancy, so it was emphasised that the event could be anything that was easy or that would be enjoyable to organise. We also felt we were to be generous. So, we made everything free to attend and took donations at each event for one of the six PCC-supported charities. We were told to trust and in late 2024 a full programme, that represented our unity without uniformity, came to be.”
Ruth adds, “On Sunday, 2 March we welcomed Bishop Michael to our regular 10am service at St Gregory’s and enjoyed a celebratory birthday cake amidst some beautiful bunting, made by the children of Weare School. The event was topped off by a hot lunch for our visitors and anyone who wanted to join us.”