What sort of church are we?
Belonging, believing, behaving!
Churches sometimes give the impression that we need to behave first, and then when we come to faith we can belong. But we believe that Jesus first calls us to belong, then belief follows, and then a journey of change begins and continues.
So what it might it mean to belong to the Anglican Christian Community in
Hesters Way and Springbank known as St. Aidan & St. Silas? Who are we and what do we stand for?
Well our past suggests that we are about being together. After a long process we came together formally at our wedding on June 18th 2005. Our future is together, not just with ourselves but with all who serve God in our area. Which includes our two sister churches, St. Mark and St. Barnabas, and our friends at Hesters Way Baptist,
St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church, The Bridge Fellowship(St. Mark’s & Hesters Way Community Centre), Bethany Gospel Hall and Family Space. Unity is our hallmark as a group of Christians who serve together, pray together and play together.
Our strap line is: Encouraging Faith in People
We seek to be encouraging like Aidan, faithful like Silas, and just like Jesus. Of course we want people to come to a living faith in God, but we also want to show that we believe in them and respect them for who they are.
We are Here
God has placed us in Hesters Way and Springbank, and though we care for the whole of God’s world we have a primary task to serve God here in the best ways we can.
We are a Welcoming Church
A church that looks forward to visitors and therefore helps guests feel at home. We cater for all sorts of people, no matter where one is on their faith journey.
Our services are full of variety.
We are committed to our community
We have a thriving Playgroup, a delightful Coffee Shop, a monthly Saturday Cafe and a lively partnership with Family Space. We have access into all our local schools and we are actively involved with local regeneration, through the Hesters Way Partnership. We have great relations with our neighbours, our market and shopping centre, local Police and local councillors. We want our community to know they are always welcome, welcome to worship with us and welcome to use our resources.
We are Anglican
This roots us in a broad tradition of faith where scripture, tradition and reason are each valued. By being Anglican we are also tied into a structure and accountability for all of us, but particularly for our leaders and officers who are authorised. Though we are quite relaxed, we share a family likeness with all other Anglican Churches. We are different to our neighbouring churches in other denominations whom we dearly love and serve together.
We are a Worshipping Church
Worship is not a Sunday or even a church going activity. It is about everything we do; at home, at work, and our leisure. Our time together on Sundays is special, but it’s also a springboard into the new week where we serve our neighbours, friends and yet to be friends.
We believe worshipping is living
Worship is not just music, but an expression of our hearts both inward and outward to God. It can be expressed through silence, words, poetry, thoughts, dance, drama, and through a wide variety of creative arts, such as: stained glass, banners, paintings, sculptures, photos, film and much more. Worship is the whole of our lives given to God.
We are an Evangelical Church
Partly by our heritage, but mainly because we recognise the free gift of God’s grace in Jesus, which is Good News for everyone.
We are a Charismatic Church
God gives different gifts to all in his church, so that we may be encouraged, pursue peace, and build up our common life together.
We are a Catholic Church
Part of something much bigger, for the worldwide church has no racial or ethnic boundaries.
We are a Biblical Church
The Bible is very important to us. But it’s not just about studying it, but living by it.
Jesus is at the centre of all we do.
We are an inclusive Church
Where everyone is welcome. We believe everybody is somebody, because Jesus is Lord.
We are a Mission Shaped Church
We look to fresh expressions of church and are not afraid to experiment. We cherish our roots yet look to a future which cannot fully be contained in the past
We are about People above Plant
Yes we value our buildings, but the church is not a building, but all sorts of people of different backgrounds and experiences. We rejoice in our diversity.
We are a Priesthood of all Believers
That’s a bit jargony, but we simply believe that all have gifts and talents which God uses for the benefit of all. We are all ministers, not just the leaders.
We try to be a Fairtrade & Environmentally Friendly Church
We encourage all to use fairly traded products where possible, and to be good stewards of the earth and it’s limited resources.
We long to be an accessible church
with good facilities for all abilities and disabilities. We’re getting there!
We are a Creative church
encouraging all art froms in worship.
We have no Master Plan
Except the Master’s Plan who reveals his purposes for us as we faithfully serve.
