This Christmas, one of Durham Diocese’s designated ‘Resourcing Churches’ is set to help revitalise a church community in the heart of East Durham.
The move will breathe new energy into the life of Christ Church in New Seaham to help to serve the needs of both the existing congregation and the local community.
In recent years, Hope Family Church (HFC) in Oxclose, Washington has grown its congregation from approximately fifteen to nearly 70 people each Sunday with its café and soft play attracting around 400 families per week. It has also recently acquired a double decker bus thanks largely to a grant from Lord Crewe’s Charity, equipped with facilities to assist the church’s youth outreach work, and support the work of other churches throughout the Diocese.
Under the leadership of the Revd Gavin Rushton and supported by the Revd Anita Burke, HFC is currently involved in outreach events at Christ Church, with the goal of starting a new regular service in May aimed at reaching those in New Seaham who do not yet know Jesus, whilst also supporting the current congregation. The Revd Paul Harrison, the serving vicar, after many years of faithful and dedicated service, is due to retire from his role at the end of this year.
Gavin commented: “We’re really excited to be partnering with the existing congregation and the wider deanery to build something new for New Seaham. The heritage of Christ Church is really pioneering and focused on serving the community, these are the foundations that we want to build on as we grow a new worshiping community with a fully intergenerational style, as well as looking at ways to develop and grow what is already there.”
Anita, who will lead services at Christ Church over the next few weeks and through Advent added: “We are so excited to be able to do this. We are thrilled to be reaching out to the New Seaham community in a new way as well as honouring the existing congregation. We have some exciting events planned for the end of December, building up to Christmas, and in the new year we are looking at starting a new service on a Sunday afternoon.”
Amy Burns, Deputy Director of Mission, Discipleship, Ministry and Growth at the Diocese of Durham, said: “We are so excited to see this new worshipping community established in New Seaham, building on the incredible history of the church there, while seeking to present the Gospel in a fresh and accessible way to the community, particularly with young families and teenagers.”