About our Churches
Discover who we are, what we believe, and how we serve our community through faith, worship, and practical support.
Who We Are
What to expect
We are a welcoming, inclusive, and affirming congregation, open to everyone, including families and LGBTQ+ members. Our churches are relaxed and informal, with a strong sense of community and support for one another.
Families are especially welcome, with play areas for children at both St Andrew’s churches and youth activities led by our Youth Minister, Caz, including crafts and building block sessions during services. We also maintain strong links with local schools, visiting regularly to lead assemblies and connect with young people.

Our Churches
We are one church family gathered across three beautiful locations: St Andrew’s Congresbury, St Andrew’s Banwell, and Holy Saviour Church, Puxton.
At St Andrew’s Congresbury and St Andrew’s Banwell, you’ll find welcoming and friendly congregations where people support and care for one another. Our churches have a relaxed, family-oriented atmosphere, with a real heart for serving our local communities. We meet regularly for worship, growing in faith together and sharing life in a way that is open, genuine, and inclusive.
Holy Saviour Church in Puxton holds a special place in our church family. We gather there for services at key times of the year, including Easter and Christmas, and it is also available for weddings and baptisms, marking some of life’s most meaningful moments in a beautiful and prayerful setting.
Wherever you join us, you can expect a warm welcome, a sense of belonging, and a community journeying together in faith.
Find a local New Creation Church community, learn about each congregation, and discover where you can connect and belong
St.Andrew's, Banwell
St Andrew's Church is a friendly and welcoming church at the heart of the community, offering relaxed services, activities for all ages, and a space to worship, reflect, and connect. Whether you’re new to church or have been coming for years, you’ll always find a warm welcome.
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St. Andrew's, Congresbury
St Andrew's Church is a vibrant community church where people of all ages can come together in faith, friendship, and worship. With a range of services and activities throughout the week, we aim to create an open and welcoming space for everyone to feel at home.
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Holy Saviours church, Puxton
Holy Saviour's Church is a peaceful and welcoming village church, open for visitors, quiet reflection, and prayer. Alongside being a place of worship, the church holds special services and events during Easter and Christmas, bringing the community together to celebrate these important seasons.
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Our Vision
Growing in love, faith, and hope is rooted in the Christian idea of discipleship: the lifelong journey of learning to follow Jesus Christ, becoming more like him, and helping others to do the same.
For the year ahead, we will focus on building community, caring for creation, supporting young people, offering variety in worship, and ensuring worship that welcomes everyone.
Building community is about actively engaging with and serving our local area, forming relationships and offering support where it is needed. This is lived out through outreach to people in new housing developments, regular coffee and chat sessions in both villages, supporting Congresbury village fête, hosting Strawberry Tea and annual harvest suppers, and running Take 5, a Friday morning drop-in for young families in Congresbury during term time. We also support local nursing homes and hold Banwell’s monthly Men’s Breakfast. Some of this work is carried out through Love Congresbury and Love Banwell, the community arms of our church family.
Caring for creation reflects our calling to be good stewards of God’s world. We aim to live responsibly and promote care for the environment, honouring God through practical action. This includes working towards the Bronze Eco Church Award under the A Rocha scheme and raising awareness of how creation can support wellbeing and healing.
Supporting young people is about nurturing faith, confidence, and life skills in the next generation. We do this through work with local schools, including regular assemblies, Dreamshed Inclusive Theatre Group, and child- and family-focused services and activities. Looking ahead to 2026, we hope to strengthen this area by running holiday clubs and starting a regular Lego Church service, using creative building to explore faith through story and worship.
Variety in worship recognises that people connect with God in different ways, so we offer a range of services and opportunities for spiritual growth. This includes midweek communions, Sunday services, Café Church as an informal space for faith-based conversation over refreshments, online groups, and the ongoing renewal of the healing ministry. In 2026, we also hope to introduce an Alpha or Emmaus course, develop a new monthly family service, and grow a new ministry team.
Worship that welcomes everyone reflects our commitment to inclusivity, belonging, and openness to all, whatever background, ability, or stage of faith. This is shown through Living in Love and Faith, supporting LGBTQI+ inclusion within the Church of England, offering a Lay Pastoral Assistant course, outreach to nursing homes, developing an inclusive theatre group, running the Bigger Table Project where people share stories over a meal, and creating a SANDS memorial garden in Banwell to support those affected by stillbirth or neonatal loss.
Prayer and Discipleship at New Creation Churches
At New Creation Churches, prayer and discipleship are at the heart of everything we do. Whether you are new to faith, exploring your spiritual journey, or looking to grow deeper in your relationship with God, there is a place for you here.
Prayer Life
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We believe in the power of prayer to comfort, guide, and strengthen our community.
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Regular opportunities include prayer groups, intercessions during services, and personal prayer support.
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Each month we create a Prayer Diary, highlighting key prayer points for our churches, community, and world. We are always looking for contributions; your prayer suggestions and intentions are welcome!
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Everyone is invited to join, share, and experience prayer in a supportive environment.
Discipleship Opportunities
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Our church is committed to helping people grow in faith and serve others.
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There are ways to get involved in meaningful ministry, including:
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Join groups, like Soul Gym, Online the Chosen group and Cafe Church.
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Pastoral Care Work – Support those in need, visit members, and provide comfort and companionship.
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Volunteering is a wonderful way to serve God and build deeper connections within our church community.
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Becoming a Lay Reader – Lead services, read scripture, and help guide worship.
Get Involved
As a church deeply committed to supporting one another, we are always happy for people to step forward and get involved in prayer, ministry, and volunteer roles. Your gifts, time, and presence can make a real difference to others and help our community flourish.
Meet the team

Rev Matthew Thomson
Vicar
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Our vicar, Matthew Thomson, is a warm and approachable leader with a heart for people and community. He is passionate about creating a church where everyone is accepted and treated equally.
Matthew especially enjoys leading weddings and baptisms, and works closely with families to make each service personal, meaningful, and tailored to individual needs. His approachable style and commitment to care make him a valued part of our church family.
revmatt.thomson@newcreationchurches.org.uk

Caz Carter
Youth Minister
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Caz works closely with young people across the community, supporting, guiding, and encouraging them as they grow in faith, confidence, and connection. Creative, dedicated, and full of enthusiasm, she works tirelessly behind the scenes, often going above and beyond to create opportunities for young people to flourish. Her commitment, care, and willingness to go the extra mile make a lasting difference to the lives of those she serves.
caz.carter@newcreationchurches.org.uk

Nicola Bradshaw
Head of Music
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Nicola leads our Music Team and helps shape the worshipping life of our church through music. Known for her gentle and approachable nature, she is a great support to her team and works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure services are thoughtfully prepared and uplifting for all.
nicola.bradshaw@newcreationchurches.org.uk

Rev Steve Walters
Ministry Team Member
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Rev Steve Walters is an Avon and Somerset Police Chaplain and a valued member of our Ministry Team. He regularly supports services and the wider work of St Andrew's, offering encouragement, care, and practical support wherever it is needed. Known for his warm personality, great sense of humour, and willingness to lend a hand, Steve is a much-appreciated presence within our church community.

Ian Stocker LLM
Licensed Lay Minister
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Vicky Cooper
Church Administrator
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Vicky is our Church Administrator, overseeing Life Events, Pastoral Care, and Worship. She supports the day-to-day life of the church and is often the first point of contact for baptisms, weddings, funerals, and pastoral enquiries. Caring, dedicated, and supportive, Vicky is committed to helping people feel welcomed, valued, and supported.
vicky.cooper@newcreationchurches.org,uk

Anna Krekorian
Church Administrator
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Anna manages the church's finances and communications, helping to keep church life running smoothly and ensuring information is shared clearly across the community. With a caring nature and a calm, reassuring presence, she works quietly and diligently behind the scenes, supporting the ministry and mission of the church in countless ways.
anna.krekorian@newcreationchurches.org.uk

Maggie MacCarthy
Church Warden / Safeguarding Officer - Banwell
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Maggie is Church Warden for Banwell and is passionate about both the church and its rich history. As an active member of the Banwell archaeology team, she has a deep appreciation for our heritage and works hard to help preserve our beautiful church building. Dedicated and enthusiastic, Maggie plays a key role in raising vital funds and supporting the ongoing life and future of the church.

Lynda Fell
Church Warden - Congresbury
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Lynda is one of our Church Wardens in Congresbury, providing dedicated support and leadership within the life of the church and wider community. She is also a valued member of the Ministry Team and is deeply involved with the Friends of St Andrew's, helping to organise events and raise vital funds to support the upkeep of our beautiful church building. Caring, committed, and always willing to help others, Lynda plays an important role in both the practical and pastoral life of our church community.

Ruth Horton
Church Warden - Congresbury
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Ruth is one of our Church Wardens in Congresbury, working alongside others to support the church community with care, dedication, and commitment. She is known for her calm and reassuring presence, offering encouragement and support to those around her. Ruth is also actively involved with the Friends of St Andrew's, helping to support the church and its ongoing work within the community.

Bob Mitchell
Ministry Team Member
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Bob is a dedicated member of the church who supports many aspects of parish life. He regularly helps with services and events, offers care and encouragement to others, and is always willing to lend a hand where needed. Through his kindness and commitment, Bob supports people in their faith and contributes greatly to the life of the church community.

Ruth Wratten
Safeguarding Officer - Congresbury
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Ruth is our Safeguarding Officer for Congresbury, helping to ensure that our church is a safe, welcoming, and supportive place for all. Known for her caring nature and excellent organisation, she works tirelessly behind the scenes and is always willing to offer support and encouragement to others.

Petra Rea
Ministry Team Member
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Petra serves on both the Ministry Team and Music Team, contributing her gifts and experience to worship and pastoral ministry. She is committed to helping people grow in faith and encounter God's presence through the life of the church.

Rosemary Bailey
Eco Church
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Rosemary is a valued and active member of the church community. Known for her gentle and supportive nature, she is passionate about caring for God's creation through our Eco Church work. Rosemary also contributes to the Music Team and supports the Ministry Team in a variety of ways, sharing her time, gifts, and dedication to the life of the church.

Gemma Stocker
Ministry Team Member
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Gemma supports both the ministry team and music group, helping to support church life. Her enthusiasm and dedication contribute to creating a welcoming and meaningful worship experience for all.

Charles Rice
Tower Captain for Banwell
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Charles is Tower Captain for Banwell, leading and supporting the bell-ringing team and helping to preserve this valued church tradition. Dedicated and encouraging, he is always happy to welcome and support new members, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm to help others develop their skills and become part of the team.

Lesley Chandler
Tower Captain for Congresbury
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Lesley is Tower Captain for Congresbury, overseeing the bell-ringing team and helping to maintain this important part of our church heritage. Dedicated and supportive, she encourages ringers of all abilities and is committed to preserving and promoting the tradition of bell ringing for future generations.