The Church of England online Book of Condolence for HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, R.I.P. can be found by clicking here
The Tenor Bell at St John's was tolled 99 times at Noon on 10th April 2021 as a mark of respect - click below to hear a recording
Welcome
Cherishing our inheritance of Christian faith and worship, we strive to welcome all and share the joy of the Gospel message in Christ, through concern for the wholeness of individuals and active involvement in community life in all its diversity.
Sadly the doors of our church building are only open for limited hours at present, but the church community is still active and we welcome your contact via this website, Facebook and twitter.
Our Youtube channel is called FromeStJohnBaptist
It includes services and other material such as Michael Wood talking about our Saxon roots at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3KcJUeV0Ho
Good News!
We're pleased to announce that we've been awarded a grant from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage ( #HereForCulture ) to help cover some of our costs during the next six months including additional cleaning of the church building, providing a virtual visitor experience and enabling safe access to our archives.
Video announcement at https://youtu.be/6AYXataSPSU
New Pioneer Ministers in Frome
Andrew and Elizabeth Alden are soon to move to Frome as Pioneer ministers working with the young people of our town.
Prayers
In Conversation
On 4th July 2020 there was to have been a special service with Canon Richard Dwyer, Roman Catholic parish priest in Frome, celebrating mass in the the parish church of Frome St John the Baptist to mark the 40th anniversary of his being ordained priest. By coincidence his anniversary fell within a week of that of our own vicar being made deacon in 1980. As that has not been able to proceed due to current restrictions, these conversations have been recorded reflecting on 40 years of ministry and more.
They are available on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FymbW7y7Trg
Our mission
There is something special about meeting for worship on a site where people have met for over 1300 years to hear the scriptures and sermons, and to share the bread and wine in Communion.
Your support for our vision will be welcome.
360° tour of St John's
Unable to visit in person, or wanting a guide to show you around when visiting us?
Then please click on the image for a guided 360° tour of St John's parish church.
Services and Private Prayer - April 2021
Weekly Sunday Service Online at 10.00am
Details of our online services via Zoom can be found in the 'Weekly pew sheet' (see link below).
Services in Church;
Sunday 18th April Third Sunday of Easter
8.45am Said Holy Communion - No booking required
Sunday 25th April Fourth Sunday of Easter
8.45am Said Holy Communion - No booking required
Private Prayer Opening Times
The church will, however, remain open for individual private prayer and reflection on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons from 1.00pm to 3.00pm and additionally on Sunday afternoon from 2pm to 3.30pm on April 11th.
Preview at https://youtu.be/DcQZXroAtZk
Please note that face covering requirements apply to all those entering church. We have a QR code near entrances for use with the Test and Trace App.
NB services at our sister church St Katharine's at East Woodlands remain suspended for now.
Many other opportunities for online worship can be found via the main Church of England website.
NOTE: Those planning future services and events at St John's are advised that capacity is limited whilst social distancing is required: Currently about 25 'bubbles' of 1-3 persons is the maximum possible. No date for the end of such requirements is yet known.
Worshipping together but apart...
In this difficult time it is important that we not only pray for each other but also feel that we are being prayed with and for.
A simple service of Morning Prayer is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch=marZmGuZFqU [text of service as pdf here]
A simple service of Night Prayer (Compline) is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6saz19WSu0
[text of service pdf here]
The service of Evensong held at St John's on 8th July 2020, our first service back in church, is now available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlmEgLzlRos
Weekly Service
The simple form of service that can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e3kgVa4uqM is one that we would encourage folk who would normally come to our regular communion services to use - others may also find it helpful.
It's a form of what is known as Ante-Communion, that is the same shape as the service of Holy Communion but without the taking of bread and wine, the consecration and act of communion.
Feel free to use all or part of it as you find most helpful and feel free to share the link with others, or even share with others you know by arranging a time at which you will each individually use the same prayers in your different locations - the technically adventurous might even do this using Skype, Zoom or other social software.
Life events
Our church offers a traditional setting for weddings, baptisms and funerals. For the moment baptisms and weddings are being postponed, and funerals are challenging as few if any can attend.
Prayers that may be used when unable to attend a funeral can be downloaded here.
Those recently bereaved may find the Diocese of Bath & Wells service 'From Lamentation to Hope' at https://youtu.be/4cLpBxmoapQ helpful
This week at St John's
Our downloadable weekly pew sheet details this week's services, forthcoming events and notices along with readings for the Sunday service.
Next parish lunch:
Lunches at St John's are postponed until further notice.
Next 'Open Doors':
to be confirmed
Next bible study:
postponed
COVID-19
Current guidance can be found here >
Safeguarding
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) has adopted and works to implement the House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Church’.
The PCC has appointed a Parish Safeguarding Officer who can be contacted via email to or by post c/o The Parish Office, Church Cottage, Church Steps, Frome BA11 1PL
The PCC commends the resources and support available at