Welcome
There's much to see here. So, take your time, look around, learn all there is to know about us. We hope you enjoy our site and take a moment to drop us a line. Churches Together in England unites in pilgrimage those Churches in England which, accepting God’s revelation in Christ, confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God
Our Team
Our History
Our History
Membership is open to any local church which affirms the importance are of unity and promotes the aims of the CTKS. Observers are always welcome. All clergy and up to 3 Lay Persons from every member church are appointed to the Council. The Council meets generally 5 times a year.
Our History
Our History
Our History
In 1965 a Keynsham and Saltford Council of Christian Churches was founded, but in 1992 it became the CTKS. We are affiliated to Churches Together in England which now has a membership of over 50 Christian denominations.
Our aims
Our History
Our aims
We as the CTKS, wish to enable our churches to explore the Christian faith together sharing our different traditions to witness the Gospel together and to respond to the needs of our local Community.
The Churches
The Churches Together are Involved In :
- Christmas Day Dinner for those on their own
- Carol Singing
- 5th Sunday United Service
- Prayer Meeting and Prayer Blessings
- Good Friday walk of witness
- Lent Talks
- Take part in Keynsham Winter Festival
- Help with Keynsham Music Festival
- FIN - Friends In Need (driving to hospital appts)
- OOPS - Outreach to Older People
- Meditation Groups
- School's Teams
- Keynsham Food Bank
- Believe Together KTCR FM
- Keynsham Talking Newspaper
- Eco Church
- School Chaplaincy
- Eco Festival
- Christian Aid
- Christian Unity - week of prayer
Each Church in the area can be represented at council and Executive Meetings. The Council meets 4 or 5 times a year and CTKS needs more representatives. You can be involved to the level which suits you.
Please read through the website, look at our events.
We currently have vacancies on the Executive Team
If you would like to be involved in any of the activities or events mentioned, please contact June Lowe
History of St John’s Church
In 1167 the building of Keynsham Abbey was begun. Remains of this abbey can be seen today. About one hundred years later a church was built for the people in the town. The chancel of St John’s Church dates from the thirteenth century. After the break with Rome, the dissolution of the monasteries took place and Keynsham Abbey was dissolved in 1539. So St John’s Church became a protestant church. In the fifteenth century there was a spire on the end of the north aisle. During a great storm in 1632 the tower collapsed and a new west end tower was not completed until the 1650s. The church went into a period of decline and the building was in a bad state. It was restored during the nineteenth century. Various restorations have taken place since then, culminating in a huge restoration during the 1990s.
St John’s today is a very beautiful building and we thank God for all those people who have contributed to this beauty over the centuries. Many people find God’s presence, solace, comfort and renewal here.
For a full history of the church, the rectory and the church hall and past incumbents, please see the book 'St John the Baptist, Keynsham. A history of the church' written by Elizabeth White, a local historian (details from the Parish Office).
www.keynshamparish.org.uk/st-johns
Facebook - St. John The Baptist Keynsham
ST. DUNSTANS
St Dunstan's is a welcoming Catholic community with a mix of old and young families making up our congregation. Our vision is "In the name of Jesus: Welcomed, Loved, Sent". It is our desire to be a mission-focused community, welcoming to all and encouraging all to follow Jesus and share his love. We are linked closely to St Bernadette's in Whitchurch, with whom we share our parish priest. The church is dedicated to St. Dunstan, a medieval saint, who had been an Abbot of Glastonbury before becoming Archbishop of Canterbury. Inside the church, on the sanctuary wall is a wonderful icon of Christ the Pantocrator - Christ reigning in glory. A warm welcome to all who visit!
www.stbernadettedunstan.org.uk
Facebook - St Bernadette's, Whitchurch and St. Dunstan's, Keynsham.
Sunday Worship - St Bernadette's at 5.30pm Sat and 11am Sunday
Sunday Worship - St Dunstan's at 11am
Methodist church
We are one church with two centres, one at Victoria in the High Street and the other among the community at Queens Road.
Our aim is to share God's love in all we do and encourage others to find faith in Jesus Christ.
At the heart of our church community is our worship.
Sunday Morning Worship
Our Morning Worship starts at 10.00 am at one or both of our centres on the first 3 Sundays of the month (and on a 5th Sunday). Services are led by our minister or another minister or local preacher from the Circuit.
Services at Victoria are mainly traditional and resources are available for young children in the worship area.
Services at Queens Road are generally more informal and Junior Church and Creche are available. Children also join part of the service.
Refreshments are served after our services when everyone is invited to share fellowship over a cup of tea or coffee as we get to know each other better.
and we offer lots of activities for all ages happening throughout the week
Check our Facebook page and website for more details.
Baptist church
Established in 1807 we are a busy town centre church whose buildings are used by many community groups as well as our own congregation. Our regular 10.30am service on Sunday mornings is now taking place and we have time for a "Messy Breakfast" once a month.
Every Friday book your place at Tea and tots designed for young families, plus social activities for older generation who still would like to meet.
Please read our website for more details.
Website: www.keynshambaptistchurch.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/keynshambaptistchurch/
Email: kjdurrantkbc@gmail.com
St Francis
St Francis is community church in the heart of Keynsham South, we value diversity and are an inclusive and accepting church. Our mission is Growing closer to God and connecting with our community.
St. Francis is part of St. Johns Church.
We run a Toddler group on Wednesday 9.00 – 11.00
The local foodbank also operates from the church
The church is the centre for Butterflies Haven which supports families affected by autism and provides a meeting space for a range of groups including Dance, Brownies, Diddidance, and Hartbeeps.
Who Let The Dads Out takes place every second Saturday of the month 10.00 - 11.30 at St Francis Church Hall. This is a great chance for dads and children to play together, along with bacon butties for the dads and toast for the children. For more information contact keynshamwltdo@yahoo.co.uk
The Foodbank runs out of this church and the Eco Church has moved over from Chewton Keynsham to St. Francis.
www.keynshamparish.org.uk/st-johns
Facebook - St Francis' Church, Keynsham
Elim church
We are a lively and friendly fellowship of Christians of all ages. Every week you’ll find people in the church from Keynsham and the surrounding area. Many nationalities are represented. The church is bible based and has a strong emphasis on sharing the good news of God's love through Jesus Christ in its programme of mission, daily activities and Sunday services. You can also watch our services live on YouTube. Elim will be active member due to regular screenings of devotions, thoughts and updates on our church website and Facebook page.
Email: KeynshamElim@outlook.com
website - www.keynshamelim.com
Facebook - Keynsham Elim Church
st. margaret's church, queen charlton church.
The Anglican Church of St Margaret in Queen Charlton, Somerset, England dates from the late 12th century. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II listed building. It is within the civil parish of Compton Dando, but the ecclesiastical parish of Keynsham and the Diocese of Bath.
the chocolate quarter
It was around the sundial at the Wills' family home in Wrington, North Somerset that Mary Monica Wills first spoke of her desire to buy a small rest home for ‘five or six missionary friends’.
That was in 1911 and, over the ensuing years, Monica Wills' original idea grew in scale, with buying a small rest home becoming the building of ‘a purpose-built haven for chronic and incurable sufferers’. A committed High Church Anglican, she was determined that at the heart of the project should be a ‘splendid and very beautiful chapel’.
The Chocolate Quarter has been built in the old FRY'S factory.
These days, The Chocolate Quarter Pastoral Care service supports people of all faiths and none and is closely linked with the Churches in Keynsham. In normal times, we offer weekly worship and events where we welcome the wider community.
EMAIL info@stmonicatrust.org.uk
Facebook -The Chocolate Quarter, Keynsham
St. Michael's church, burnett
St Michael's has served the community of Burnett for over a thousand years. In 1102 the village came under the control of the powerful ecclesiastical body of Tewkesbury Abbey and the Benedictine monks stopped to worship and rest at St Michael's Church en route to Glastonbury.
Please check our website for all our news and read our latest newsletter from St. Johns -
www.keynshamparish.org.uk/st-michaels-burnett
St. Mary's, Saltford
This church has stood in the village of Saltford for over a thousand years. It is believed to be Norman with an authentic Norman Font till used for christenings today. It was taken away and defaced during the Battle of Lansdowne during the English Civil War. It was subsequently found being used as a cattle trough. The rector at the time was never seen again. The tower is believed to be Saxon although 10 feet (3.0 m) have been added and extensively repaired. Originally there were three bells dated 1820, although only one remains and still used. The gallery and porch are 19th-century and is where the organ is. More recently, a window has been added in memorial of the choirmaster for 10 years; Mr. T.C.G. Ewins
Please check our website and Facebook for our local events
and times of worship
Read our local newsletter - https://stmaryssaltford.org.uk/23JanNotices.pdf
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/stmaryschurchsaltford/
WELCOME TO ONE CHURCH KEYNSHAM
Hello and a massive welcome to One Church. We love meeting new people, making new friends and we are passionate about making a positive difference in Keynsham and communities around us. Jesus came so that we could experience life in all its fullness we believe God can doing amazing things in and through our lives. Every week in our services people are encountering God’s love & grace, they are growing in their faith and discovering purpose. Why not come and see what we are all about Sundays 10:30am. We would love to meet you so be sure to come and say hi.
Chris & Ana Williams Pastors at One Church Keynsham
events of the CTKS
winter festival
The Winter Festival is being held in Keynsham during the afternoon this year to enable more local people to attend. It is being held on the 30th November from 12.00 - 7.00 . Join the Churches Together in sharing the real truth about Christmas with the illumination of the crib on Temple Street.
An event for the whole family.
More details to follow in the Keynsham Voice.
CHURCHES TOGETHER
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP CTKS THEN PLEASE SPEAK TO ONE OF YOUR MINISTERS OR USE THE CONTACT FORM.
WE NEED A CHAIRPERSON AND DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON ASAP, IF YOU THINK YOU COULD HELP PLEASE CONTACT US.
Rebuilding relationships despite dissonance and difference
Paul’s second letter to Timothy, most likely written during his final Roman imprisonment, was the last of his writings of which we have any record. In it, he gives pastoral instructions to Timothy, probably for his role supporting the church in Ephesus. But in this most personal of letters, he also reveals some of the tragedies and challenges that he, Paul, was facing in the latter days of his active ministry. He alludes to his sufferings, but then almost as an aside he says to Timothy in 1:15 “You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phylegus and Hermogenes”. Everyone? Everyone. Not a great legacy. Paul probably felt betrayed and angry.
This year I have been through – and since it is still on-going, I am remaining anonymous for this short article – the experience of false accusations, and what at times has felt like being abandoned. I have felt the anger that comes when you see injustice. I found myself going through the days of Holy Week this year, less focused on our Lord’s physical sufferings, and more on his emotional sufferings. And I have fought not to let the anger I have experienced turn to bitterness. But it has been very, very hard for all concerned. In some cases there is nothing more I can do than follow the Lord’s injunction to pray for those who have seemingly chosen to be my enemy. May the Lord bless all of us in this.
As I have reflected on my experience, the experience of Christians in significant disagreement, I have compared my journey personally, to our ecumenical journey. For many years I have been in ecumenical work connecting with Christians all over Europe. My strongest learning experience has been the importance of knowing one another well enough, that, despite our differences, and disagreements, we trust one another and keep in relationship. We need to be in good relationship even when we disagree. And when the hard facts of disagreement have made our relationship go cold, we must step out in humility, to rebuild that relationship wherever that is in our power. Of course, sometimes it is not.
Maybe at times, we think that to be able to be in good relationship with different people we need to understand, and even accept as valid, one another’s perspectives. Often that is unrealistic. Some years ago, I was on the continent at an ecumenical conference, and a Protestant leader shared one of his early experiences of visiting a Roman Catholic community. It was a community with a strong Marian focus, and he found their Marian devotions hard to understand; and, though he was deeply struck by their profound faith, he wondered how he could continue that ecumenical journey. However, he described how he was driving home in the dark at the end of the visit pondering these things, when he had a profound experience of the Lord being with him in the car, almost like a bright light. And then he heard a word from the Lord: “Do not call unclean that which I have called clean”. That word changed his ecumenical outlook fundamentally.
We will never logically understand all the ways the Lord works in our different churches. However, if we invest in relationships with one another, enough to see the Lord in one another, we will be able to trust one another despite our differences.
MOTHERS PRAYERS
'Mothers Prayers provides a safe, supportive and confidential environment where women can pray specifically for their own children (old or young), step-children, grandchildren, godchildren, children we grieve or long for, indeed any child for whom we have 'a mother's heart'. Together, we place them, and our love and concerns for them, into God's safe hands. Women of any faith (or none) are welcome to join us.' The next Mother Prayers gathering is Saturday 12th March at St John's Parish Hall, Upper Room. Coffee and catch up from 9.30, with prayers starting at 10 am. More details from christinewoodward.cw@gmail.com
Every blessing
Keynsham girls brigrade
Keynsham Girls Brigade
The Keynsham Girls Brigade is for girls aged between 4 and 16 and meets every Tuesday from 6.00 - 7.30pm at the Keynsham Key Centre through term time only. We have received a request from the leaders for more helpers. If you are able to assist, please contact Linda Pillinger, email: lindachrisp@hotmail.comTel. No. 0117 9867395
Local community
Keynsham Community Fridge
With the gradual lifting of the lockdown restrictions Keynsham Community Fridge is due to re-open on Tuesday June 1st. It remains in the Temple Street Canteen and the fridge will be open for all members of the public to collect food from during the Canteen’s opening hours. The fridge was set up early last year to help reduce the amount of food waste that ends up in land fill each year. They will be resuming collections from Waitrose, Tesco's and Asda. Due to Covid things have been a bit stop-start but from October to December last year volunteers managed to prevent 450KGs of food going to waste. They are looking forward to preventing much more in the coming months. Please do go and take a look at what’s on offer!
local community
YCCN
Young Christian Climate Network
The Young Christian Climate Network has recently launched their ‘Rise to the Moment’ challenge – a relay of walkers from Devon (G7 Summit) in June to the Glasgow COP Conference in November. They describe themselves as:
...................................................................
Great ideas for our local community
A WAY FORWARD -PLEASE READ ALL THE WAY THROUGH !!!!!
Environmental Policy
Introduction:
We acknowledge that the climate and environmental crisis is an emergency.
Share the big news
All religions respect the world around them and offer guidance on environmental issues. Christians believe that the Earth belongs to God and that humans are stewards in charge of its care
discuss their FAQs
Christians have questions, you have answers. Display the most frequently asked questions, so everybody benefits.
PRAYERS
Every Day Prayer
He wakes me up; He makes me sleep.
Provides for me the food I eat.
When I cry, I call on Him,
Because I know with Him I win.
Even through the hardest day,
I trust in Him in every way.
He's the One who sees me through,
Jesus lives, I know it's true.
With loving-kindness, He smiles on me.
Because He died, I am free.
Lord, for all, I thank you so,
I know you'll never let me go!
-- Esther Lawson
O Lord, open my lips
And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
As morning dawns I praise you, for
you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that
exists.
As I walk the journey of this day, pour out on
me the power of your love.
Fill me with peace, that I may protect life and
beauty.
May I act this day in solidarity with the
forgotten of this earth,
And sow beauty, not pollution and
destruction.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
Evening
God, come to my assistance.
Lord, make haste to help me.
You are the God of the poor,
You heal all who exist.
May my prayer in the calm of the evening
Unite me with every creature,
as all living families of the earth journey
towards your infinite light.
Loving God, I thank you for being with me
this day.
Encourage us all, we pray, in our struggle for
justice.
Through the night I lift up to you
My hopes for your reign of peace on earth.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
Laudato Si' Movement Prayer Book
Good Morning, Jesus
Jesus, you are good and wise
I will praise you when I rise.
Jesus, hear this prayer I send
Bless my family and my friends.
Jesus, help my eyes to see
All the good you send to me.
Jesus, help my ears to hear
Calls for help from far and near.
Jesus, help my feet to go
In the way that You will show.
Jesus, help my hands to do
All things loving, kind, and true.
Jesus, guard me through this day
In all I do and all I say.
Amen.
Psalm 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.
For A Good Night's Sleep
Grant me a good night's sleep tonight, God, so that I can awake refreshed and ready to begin another day loving you. Thank you again for blessings so undeserved and too numerous to count. I love being your child, and I long for the word "faithful" to describe my service to you, each day of every year. When I awake in the morning, may it be with a joyful smile, not a grumpy spirit. May your protection and your presence bathe this place with peace and safety against the enemy. Good night, Lord. In Jesus's name, Amen. ~ Rebecca Barlow Jordan