Two local Anglican church councils have merged, in a move to share resources and best practice.

The Parish of Peasedown St John and The Parish of Foxcote with Shoscombe, which both come under the leadership of Revd Matthew Street, have been part of the same Benefice for over a decade – but have taken the decision recently to formally merge.

In the Church of England, a benefice describes any ecclesiastical parish or group of ecclesiastical parishes under a single stipendiary minister, or vicar.

Revd Matthew Street said:

"Both parishes have been discussing for some time how they can better support each other. Both church council bodies have experience in range of diverse areas from financial management to event organisation, and community outreach to pastoral care.

The merger of the church parishes in Peasedown St John and Foxcote with Shoscombe means that both sides can better share resources to more effectively serve the communities we're based in."

The new, merged, church council of Peasedown St John and Foxcote with Shoscombe is part of the wider 'St J's Group' Anglican benefice, which also includes St Julian's Wellow. Worshippers in Wellow will continue to have their own independent church council.

For more details about the work of the St J's Group, readers can follow them on

Twitter, @stjsgroup, or visit their website, www.stjsgroup.church, which includes details of future events, the church's work in the community, activities going on during the week and live recordings of Sunday sermons.