Why do we do what we do?
We believe in Church. We believe that, contrary to popular belief, the church is amazing
We believe that when the church looks like Jesus, when it sounds like him, when it feels like him, when it gives off his aroma everything changes. Communities are transformed, people’s lives are restored from the inside out. When the church is alive, people come alive. When the church is alive, communities come alive. If you want to change the world, the best way of doing that, we believe, is to be a part of church. In church people discover love and forgiveness and healing. They discover rhythm, purpose and passion. …

Christmas means different things to each of us.  For us as Christians we enjoy the whole season of celebration and festivity with an added pleasure.  For in this season we look forward, not just back, to the day when the Prince of Peace will come and bring with him the reign of God over all creation.
Jesus’ name given to him at his birth was Immanuel – God with us – and it is this hope that gives us such hope and joy.
If you want to come along to services this Christmas you can be sure of a fantastic welcome.  Look out for our services times.
Peace be with you.

What does being a Christian mean to you? What is the most important part of it all? How do you feel you are doing? Does it all make sense? Do you want to know God better? Have you ever thought something ought to change?
Jesus came to offer us a life in his kingdom and as a church it is our main aim to learn how to live this life well. Church people call learning about this life ‘discipleship’. Over the next year discipleship is going to take centre stage in our thinking and living as a community. Some of us have been disciples of Jesus for a while. Others have only just signed …

We are really excited to be starting a new series on Sunday mornings through the summer – Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Bursting with energy, praise, love, passion, wisdom and thanks, this letter is one of the high points in the whole New Testament. From start to finish Paul is caught up with a big picture of what God is doing through Jesus and his Church putting things back together again and making all things new. Some have likened it to going on a ride on the London Eye and taking in the view of the city which previously we couldn’t have seen. Sundays at 10.15.

Our boiler is finally getting fixed and the sun is coming out and so we are all heading back to the main church building for our Sunday services. It’s been a great experience worshipping together in the school and we will continue to enjoy our first Sunday of the month services there. So this Sunday we are walking down the road from the school to the church to celebrate Palm Sunday and it will be good. Entering the ‘gates’ of the church and making sure that the place is filled with prayer for all peoples we will connect again with the story of Jesus’ last week.
It’s been a late Easter and we are ready to celebrate all …

It’s been an interesting month! On the first Sunday in February we launched a new service at our local junior school (St Michael’s) and it went down a bomb. Then the boiler at the main church building broke down for the umpteenth time this winter and was finally given the last rites. So it looks like St Michael’s Church has a new temporary home at St Michael’s School… at least for the time being. Many thanks to Dave Goucher and the rest of the School staff who always make us so welcome. We really appreciate it!
What’s interesting is how just moving building subtly changes other things – changes the way we relate, the way we …

It was a bolt out of the blue. One word. “Everyone” Nothing more, nothing less.
And I knew it was a God thing.
I am excited about our new series on Sundays called “EVERYONE”. I believe that God wants us to know something simple, but deep – that this thing is for EVERYONE, that he is for EVERYONE, that this gospel is for EVERYONE, that God’s love and blessing and presence is for EVERYONE. It sounds simple and sounds as if we already know it. Which we do. It’s just that we don’t always really know it – or live as though we know it. Somehow we have categories of who is in and …

Christmas
Come and join us celebrate the coming of a new Kingdom
Christmas Eve – Midnight Communion 11pm at the Church
Christmas Morning – Celebration Breakfast 10.15 at the Church
January 2nd – New Year Service 10.15am at the Church

Outside the church there is little talk of ‘Advent’.  The only words associated with it are ‘calendars’ and ‘candles’.  Apart from that Advent holds little power over our imaginations and lives.  It didn’t used to be like this.  For centuries the season of Advent was a significant and eagerly anticipated season of reflection, preparation and prayer.  Advent is a gift to us and for the next month, as a church community, we are trying to reconnect with this tradition and bring it up to date.  On the 5th December we are holding a special Advent service in the evening from 7pm.  Join us for an interactive service of worship and reflection which will awaken all the senses and bring Christmas alive. Looking forward …

It was a great day!  The sun shone, the BBQ was perfect, the games were fun, the music was fab, the atmosphere was relaxed, the church looked brilliant, the cakes were amazing and everyone had a great time!.  We think about 250 people came and enjoyed it all.  Helen was delighted with winning £25 for her contribution to the painting that Mike organised, and Ruth thinks that her team of face painters decorated about 100 children.  Tory noted the steady stream of people wanting to have their nails done, and Dave ran out of coconuts in the first hour! So thank you to everyone who made the day such a joyful event – from those who came to set up, to those …