A place to
share Christian friendship,
explore Christian faith and
enter into Christian mission

Mission statements are nothing new! Jesus had one nearly 2000 years ago. He used words from Isaiah to sum up his mission: God’s Spirit is on me: he’s chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor, sent me to announce pardon to prisoners, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set the burdened and battered free, to announce, This is God’s year to act!
 
Jesus knew he couldn’t go it alone ... First he sent out 12, then 72 and then he broadened the challenge to all his followers - to preach the Message, to bring healing and deliverance, to bring God’s peace into people’s homes, God’s rule into whole communities. It’s that kind of mission statement that caught the imagination of those who started the Church here at Highbury, and those who have built it up down through the years. It is what prompts us to do the work we do today in our own locality and further afield.
 
To build up our commitment to mission we value the partnerships we share with other churches in the Congregational Federation in the world-wide mission partnership, the Council for World Mission and through Churches Together.  

... among children and young people

We run Toddler Groups on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. The Fish Club meets on Wednesdays at 1-45 with worship specially for under 5's, their families and friends.  Star People meets on Thursdays from 3-30 to 4-30 and is special for 5-7‘s, their families and friends.  Hy-Tec is a lively youth group with its own worship group, Hy-Spirit - it’s for 11-18’s and meets at 7-15 on Sundays. During our morning services FishClub toys and games are available in the porch for under 3's to go so their parents can listen into the service. There are activity groups for children. Brownies, Guides, Cubs and Scouts who meet at Highbury. In partnership with St Luke’s, our local Anglican Church, and with Youth for Christ, we lead Assemblies in a number of Cheltenham schools and an annual Holiday Club.

Alpha

Since the mid 90‘s we have held an Alpha Course regularly.  The evening begins with a meal, and then our Minister, Richard Cleaves gives a presentation of the Alpha Course material on the basics of the Christian faith. Over a cup of coffee the evening finishes with an open-ended discussion where people have the opportunity to explore the faith together. Getting on for a hundred people have valued not only the stimulating introduction to the Christian faith, but also the warmth of friendship and fellowship, not least on our Day Away. Those wanting to follow up the Alpha Course material join the supper evening, and then go on to an Alpha + group to pursue their own journey of faith, with others who are also on the journey.

... and among older people

Our Guild primarily for older people meets on Wednesday afternoons at 2-30 and enjoys good company, a cup of tea and a chat, and an interesting variety of speakers. Half are of general interest and half of the speakers explore Christian themes - every week there is an important time of worship and prayer. On the first Saturday of each month our Friendship Group meets.  This is specially for those living on their own and has proved an invaluable source of support and friendship for a good number of people.  We welcome the Social Services run Highbury Day centre to services at Christmas, Easter and Harvest. Through our Pastoral visiting scheme we try to keep in touch with all the older people linked with the Church and provide a supportive fellowship in every way.

On Video
Highbury joined together with Churches Together in Chelteham to produce a video of the Passion Play that they took to the streets of Cheltenham for the Millennium.  Jesus, Today, Tomorrow, Forever? Is presented by Pam Rhodes and is distributed in the USA by Vision Video and in the UK by Evangelical Films.  The video is accompanied by a web site at www.Jesusfortoday.co.uk


Highbury News

Highbury News is published on the last Sunday of each month and provides a forum for the exchange of views and news of the Church life.  To read the latest issue of Highbury News click here.