Working Together
Churches and communities have been working together, more than ever since March 2020. Churches continue to connect with one another and with their town or parish councils to bring well co-ordinated relief to those in need.
Communities groups have been forming on social media and we heartily encourage individuals and churches to join these and work alongside others in your town.
Stockwood Free Church have been partnering with others in the community to help people, in particular those who aren’t online. Read their story here.
Wotton Baptist Church have been working as part of a community group, as well as a local chef to provide help and fresh soup to those in need right now. Read more.
Foodbanks are still in great need right now – please help them by asking what they need the most and help stock up their supplies by asking church members to donate.
Virtual Communities
Sundays and Bible Studies
Many churches are now meeting in person and also live streaming or broadcasting services and midweek Bible studies online.
This is a great opportunity for those who don’t normally join in to try out church without ‘turning up’. Burnham Baptist Church have found that their video views are higher than their usual congregation and so it looks like others are joining in at this time. Good news!
Families and Children
A new Messy Church does Science series was released through Facebook in 2020. What a great way to help families stay messy and ‘sciency’ at home. If you normally have Messy Church (or even if you don’t), why not share these via your social media and stay connected with your community that way too?
Renew Wellbeing
Renew Wellbeing helps churches open spaces of welcome and inclusion in partnership with mental health teams to improve mental and emotional wellbeing in communities. These spaces are usually simple cafe style places run by local churches where hobbies and activities are shared or co-produced. Many Renew Cafes have begun to open up again. Renew has also released a free manual and lots of great tools to help churches set up virtual Renew Communities to help the most anxious and isolated people to connect during this time.
Ideas and Resources
A woman in Cornwall has produced a downloadable postcard to offer help to self isolating neighbours. This idea has been picked up across the country – no wonder, it’s a great idea!
One of our Regional Ministers, Lindsay Caplen got creative to help share the hope of Jesus in her neighbourhood. Find out how.