Members of the Beacon in the Forest Minster Community came together on Sunday 18 January for a celebratory service of inauguration and commissioning of this newly forming Minster Community (MC).
The Church of St Botolph’s in Shepshed was well attended, its rows filled with people from a diverse range of congregations, drawn together in shared purpose and giving thanks to God for the faith, fellowship and gifts of one another across its minster parishes.
Bishop Saju led the service, which also included the commissioning of the community’s Transition Oversight Minister, the Revd Adele Adshead, and the Transition Ministry Team.
The joint churches choir, organist, and a live band - with young people playing various instruments - led the congregation in joyful, musical worship including the action song, ‘My Lighthouse’, for which all the children came out to the front.
Bishop Saju spoke of the vision of Minster Communities, describing it as a journey rooted in mission, discipleship, and shared life together.
His inspiring sermon talked about us all being Saints, made memorable with the use of beautiful artwork with which he reflected on examples of Christian calling, in Saint Augustine - called by the word of God, that we too should fall in love with the Scripture; Saint Martha – called to the table, a model of radical hospitality, to welcome and serve; Bahram Dehqani‑Tafti – a martyr, called to courageous witness and finally, by holding up a mirror to the congregation, Bishop Saju reminded us that we are also called, named personally by God and sent into the world. Therefore, what is God calling us to do?
He blessed the congregation, saying: “May God, who calls you by name, be your lighthouse.”
During the service, there was a symbolic placing of tree rings around the Beacon in the Forest, a display made of greenery and a candle, each circle of tree representing each of the churches in the Minster Community and the gifts they bring.
They also remembered those churches associated with the MC who have chosen not to join them on the journey at this time, praying:
Eternal God, you call your people to fullness of life in you and promise to be with us in all the changing scenes of life: may we be shaped by you in our lives and communities to refresh the Church, transform the world, and build the kingdom, as, with thanksgiving for the past, we step out in hope and trust into your future; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The name ‘Beacon in the Forest’ reflects both the MC’s geography and their calling. A beacon is a light - something that offers hope, guidance, and celebration - and it also connects with the local hill known as Beacon Hill. The ‘Forest’ points to their setting within the National Forest and speaks of growth, renewal, and new life. Together, the name captures their desire to shine God’s light while growing deeply rooted faith across their communities.
This MC encompasses the churches of St Botolph in Shepshed, St James the Greater in Oaks in Charnwood, St David in Broom Leys, St Mary in Charnwood in Nanpantan, St John the Baptist in Whitwick, St Andrew in Thringstone, St George in Swannington, St Michael and All Angels in Ravenstone and St Peter in Bardon Hill.
The service marked an important milestone on the journey to establishing a Minster Community and follows many months of prayer, conversation, and discernment of God’s leading.
Speaking after the service, Revd Adele said: “I really enjoyed the service. We had aimed for it to be informal, inclusive and welcoming and I hope we achieved that through the participation of so many people from across the different churches and of all ages.
“We also wanted to be clearly Christ-focussed and looking to the future with trust in Jesus as our ‘Beacon’ whilst acknowledging the past with gratitude. I hope the whole service and particularly the prayers facilitated that.”
Sharing her hopes for the Minster Community, she added: “My prayers going forward, on an immediate and practical level, is that the process for appointing the Oversight Minister goes smoothly and that God is already preparing someone to take on that role.
“I also hope that relationships of grace and generosity will continue to grow amongst the churches and that together we will discern God’s leading at every step,” she said. “That we see God’s kingdom breaking through, with stories of people coming to know and follow Jesus, and lives transformed.
“And above all, that we are faithful and obedient, and grow in trust and love of God, whatever the future may bring.”
Simon Parr, member of St Botolph’s and lay worship leader, has been closely involved in helping his church engage with the Shaped by God process, acting as a link between his parish and the wider diocesan journey.
Talking of getting to this point, he said: “It feels both joyful and humbling. It has been really encouraging to see ideas, conversations, and prayer from the past few years come to fruition. The journey hasn’t always been straightforward - there have been moments of uncertainty and challenge along the way - but the launch service felt like a genuine celebration of churches coming together.
“At the same time, the launch isn’t an ending; it’s the beginning of a new chapter,” he added. “The Beacon has been lit, but now we begin the work of living into that vision together. There is still much to discern, build, and grow.”
As a representative for St David’s Church in Broom Leys, Iain Allen was point of contact and a member of the Growing Faith team during the initial pilot process in this area. “My time to participate in the second attempt at formation was limited, and I participated as much as I was able in Growing Faith, but did not join the Coordinating Group,” he explained. “When things began to improve at St David’s, and with the perception that we should be represented, I asked to rejoin.”
Talking about the MC process, the church’s early response, and the transition to this stage, he said: “Personally, I felt that the approach from the diocese was ‘interesting’. Possibly starting from ‘we’re broke, help us to find a way to live successfully within our means,’ would have been a better start-point than the diocesan vision, which several churches found very difficult to digest.
“Many of the congregation feared change and almost all thought that they would be faced with travelling to another church every other week; journeys which for many would be difficult or impossible. There were also concerns about participating in unfamiliar styles of worship and of being pressured to share already stretched resources in outreach activities,” he added.
“With God’s help, most of the congregation were able to put these concerns aside and support the process. Enthusiasm among those churches who had decided that forming the MC was the only viable solution started to grow and the meetings changed from initial barely concealed hostility to genuine desire to cooperate.”
Reflecting on the situation now, he said: “Personally, I am pleased to have been involved in the process. I have worked with some dedicated people and it is satisfying that we have finally come to a major milestone with the formation of the MC. The launch service itself was a joyful occasion and a true coming together in worship and fellowship.
“Now the MC is formed, the practical work begins. Doubtless this will bring challenges and there will be individuals who disagree with some of the upcoming decisions. Nevertheless, I feel confident that with God’s help and prayerful support from all involved that we shall build a mission-centric, loving and caring community.”
Commenting on the evening and in her capacity as Lead Facilitator, Beth Cluer said: “It was a joyful occasion to celebrate the launch of The Beacon in the Forest Minster Community. The service reflected the diversity of the churches involved, with people from across all the worshipping communities taking part.
“It has been an honour to work with this group as they have navigated a process full of questions with grace and a genuine openness to God’s Spirit,” she added.
“While engaging everyone across the congregations has at times been challenging, I am incredibly grateful for the volunteers from each church who have worked creatively together to discern God’s call.
“As they move into the next phase and begin working together more practically, there is still much to do. I am confident that the strong relationships built over the past year will provide a firm foundation as they come together around a shared mission.”