Witham United Reformed Church Witham Essex
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Who we are
Witham United Reformed Church is right in the centre of Witham. We are a lively mixed age fellowship from many walks of life. What we have in common is a living faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
We are ordinary people who seek to serve God and others. Theologically we are a broad church and everyone is welcome to join us for worship.
Church membership is open to all who accept Jesus as Saviour and Lord and who accept the beliefs of the United Reformed Church.
Our Vision: To worship God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son in the power that the Holy Spirit gives and to bring others through example, service and teaching to know and love Him too.
Witham United Reformed Church occupies a prime site in the town's main street. The 19th century building was extensively redeveloped in the 1980s and 1990s at a total cost in excess of £1million. The site now has a bright and flexible sanctuary, used occasionally for concerts and plays as well as for worship.
Integral to the life and work of the Church is The Centre, attached to the church building, but with a separate entrance, which was commissioned in 1997. Open to the public six days a week, the facilities include a sports hall, a drop-in coffee area, a small shop selling fairly traded goods and Christian books, a vestry, an office, reprographics room, several meeting rooms of various sizes and a garden. These premises offer facilities to a Credit Union and other community services and are available for hire. The Centre is led by volunteer Centre Directors and supported by Centre Managers, who are employed by the Church.
The Church also employs two half-time Youth Pastors. Their ministry is to co-ordinate and develop the Church youth work and to encourage young people to play a larger part in the life and worship of the Church.
We are ordinary people who seek to serve God and others. Theologically we are a broad church and everyone is welcome to join us for worship.
Church membership is open to all who accept Jesus as Saviour and Lord and who accept the beliefs of the United Reformed Church.
Our Vision: To worship God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son in the power that the Holy Spirit gives and to bring others through example, service and teaching to know and love Him too.
Witham United Reformed Church occupies a prime site in the town's main street. The 19th century building was extensively redeveloped in the 1980s and 1990s at a total cost in excess of £1million. The site now has a bright and flexible sanctuary, used occasionally for concerts and plays as well as for worship.
The Church also employs two half-time Youth Pastors. Their ministry is to co-ordinate and develop the Church youth work and to encourage young people to play a larger part in the life and worship of the Church.
Street Address
Newland Street
Witham,
Essex
CM8 1AH
United Kingdom
Phone: 01376 500958
Fax: 01376 501771
Download Witham United Reformed Church vCard with Service Times
Click here to contact the church
Church Pastor
Revd Lorna Bantock
Minister
Witham United Reformed Church
Newland Street
Witham,
Essex
CM8 1AH
Newland Street
United Kingdom
Phone: 01376 500958
Fax: 01376 501771
Download Minister Revd Lorna Bantock vCard with bio
Click here to contact Revd Lorna Bantock
Denomination
United Reformed Church
Affiliations
Church Website
Witham United Reformed Church on Social Media
Leadership
Leader Name:
Revd Lorna Bantock
Leader Position:
Minister
Formal Title:
Leader Address:
Witham United Reformed Church
Newland Street
Witham
Essex
CM8 1AH
Newland Street
Witham
Essex
CM8 1AH
Phone:
Fax:
01376 501771
Leader Email:
Click here to contact Revd Lorna Bantock
Leader Bio:
I have been a part of Witham URC for over 30 years now. In the mid 80’s I trained as a lay preacher but then felt a call to ministry where pastoral and preaching work could be combined. After training I was ordained and inducted to Witham URC in February 2003 as an SSM (self supporting minister). My secular work is administration in a small business my husband I run called SAILSetc.
I am really excited by what God is doing as we see evidence of Him moving in people's hearts and lives. It is a great privilege to be involved in God's work here and a great joy!
I am really excited by what God is doing as we see evidence of Him moving in people's hearts and lives. It is a great privilege to be involved in God's work here and a great joy!
Revd Lorna Bantock on Social Media:
Other Church Leaders:
Revd Lorna Bantock, Minister
Leadership Photos
Minister Revd Lorna Bantock
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Administration
Admin Name:
Admin Position:
Admin Address:
Phone:
Fax:
Admin Email:
Mailing Address
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On site or on street on Sundays
Witham United Reformed Church Service Times
Family Worship 10:30am Sunday
This is a relaxed service where all are welcome, with praise, singing, prayer and listening as the Bible is read and the Word of God taught. Bibles are provided at the door and the singing is led from the overhead screen. Refreshments are provided in Meeting Point after the service as a good opportunity for the church family and visitors to meet more informally. After the service an area in the church is set aside for quiet prayer either individually or with somebody who will be there available for you.
A Hearing Loop and large print service aids are available.
Evening Worship 10:30am Sunday
This service is usually a more meditative service, but the fourth Sunday in the month is our E-quip service at the early time of 5:30pm.
Messy Breakfast 9:00am every third Sunday
Messy Church at breakfast time! Held on the third Sunday of the month 9:00-10:00am. This is primarily aimed at young families. We have a free breakfast for the whole family to join together, followed by a short service. The service is lively and noisy with singing, instruments, craft and story telling. Learn about God in a relaxed, child friendly way. Do come and join in.
E-equip 5:30pm every fourth Sunday
E-quip is a new monthly contemporary worship service meeting on the 4th Sunday of each month at 5.30pm. Come and enjoy a time of worship and teaching.
Communion
Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday morning and the third Sunday evening in each month.
It's been more than 6 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
This is a relaxed service where all are welcome, with praise, singing, prayer and listening as the Bible is read and the Word of God taught. Bibles are provided at the door and the singing is led from the overhead screen. Refreshments are provided in Meeting Point after the service as a good opportunity for the church family and visitors to meet more informally. After the service an area in the church is set aside for quiet prayer either individually or with somebody who will be there available for you.
A Hearing Loop and large print service aids are available.
Evening Worship 10:30am Sunday
This service is usually a more meditative service, but the fourth Sunday in the month is our E-quip service at the early time of 5:30pm.
Messy Breakfast 9:00am every third Sunday
Messy Church at breakfast time! Held on the third Sunday of the month 9:00-10:00am. This is primarily aimed at young families. We have a free breakfast for the whole family to join together, followed by a short service. The service is lively and noisy with singing, instruments, craft and story telling. Learn about God in a relaxed, child friendly way. Do come and join in.
E-equip 5:30pm every fourth Sunday
E-quip is a new monthly contemporary worship service meeting on the 4th Sunday of each month at 5.30pm. Come and enjoy a time of worship and teaching.
Communion
Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday morning and the third Sunday evening in each month.
It's been more than 6 years since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
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Worship Languages
English
Dress Code
No code - all equally welcome
Sunday School / Children and Youth Activities
Under 12s:
Sunday:
Creche (0-3)
Junior Church (3-11)
Thursday:
Juice (5-11 club)
Creche (0-3)
Junior Church (3-11)
Thursday:
Juice (5-11 club)
Under 18s:
Sunday:
K-OS (11-14)
JAUL (15-18)
Ignite (11-18 youth group)
Wednesday:
Milkshake (11-18)
Thursday:
FUSE (11-18)
K-OS (11-14)
JAUL (15-18)
Ignite (11-18 youth group)
Wednesday:
Milkshake (11-18)
Thursday:
FUSE (11-18)
Local outreach & community activities
Wednesday Concert, Child Contact Centre
Other activities & ministries
Afternoon Film, Afternoon Tea, Carpet Bowls, House Groups, Friday Fellowship
Special Needs/Accessibility
Wheelchair-friendly; hearing loop; large print
Prayers and Hymns
Main Bible:
Good News Bible
Hymns and Songs:
Mission Praise
Other information
Average Adult Congregation:
150
Average Youth Congregation:
30
Additional Info:
United Reformed Church Witham Photos
Witham United Reformed Church - Witham, Essex
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Witham United Reformed Church History
The story of Witham United Reformed Church
Our church has an interesting history! Our roots lie in the ‘Dissenting’ movement which grew up after the English Civil War when people risked prison for daring to worship in ways other than that of the Church of England. The first leader of the ‘Non-conformers’ in Witham, the Rev. George Lisle, ended up in Colchester prison for holding unlawful meetings. The passing of the Toleration Act of 1689 allowed freedom of worship and by 1715 the non-conformist community had accepted Congregational principles and decided to go forward in faith and build a meeting house in Newland Street. This Meeting House was enlarged over the years but was eventually demolished and replaced by the present building in 1840.
In 1972 the Congregational Church joined with the Presbyterian Church to form The United Reformed Church and Witham became part of this wider fellowship.
By the 1980’s it was apparent that the layout of the church building restricted both the worship and activities. So in 1985 the sanctuary was remodelled to give better access and more flexibility yet keeping the integrity of the 1840 design. This made it more usable not only for worship but also for occasional concerts and other events.
While the sanctuary now reflected the desire of the congregation to go forward into the twenty first century, the rear halls were still Dickensian. So in 1995 another step of faith was taken to demolish and redevelop the rest of the site. We had a vision of a centre that would encourage people to come in and of uses that served the needs of the wider community.
The Centre now allows us to be open and accessible for much of the week and to accommodate many activities, either church based or run by local groups.
Our church has an interesting history! Our roots lie in the ‘Dissenting’ movement which grew up after the English Civil War when people risked prison for daring to worship in ways other than that of the Church of England. The first leader of the ‘Non-conformers’ in Witham, the Rev. George Lisle, ended up in Colchester prison for holding unlawful meetings. The passing of the Toleration Act of 1689 allowed freedom of worship and by 1715 the non-conformist community had accepted Congregational principles and decided to go forward in faith and build a meeting house in Newland Street. This Meeting House was enlarged over the years but was eventually demolished and replaced by the present building in 1840.
By the 1980’s it was apparent that the layout of the church building restricted both the worship and activities. So in 1985 the sanctuary was remodelled to give better access and more flexibility yet keeping the integrity of the 1840 design. This made it more usable not only for worship but also for occasional concerts and other events.
While the sanctuary now reflected the desire of the congregation to go forward into the twenty first century, the rear halls were still Dickensian. So in 1995 another step of faith was taken to demolish and redevelop the rest of the site. We had a vision of a centre that would encourage people to come in and of uses that served the needs of the wider community.
The Centre now allows us to be open and accessible for much of the week and to accommodate many activities, either church based or run by local groups.
Witham United Reformed Church Historical Photos
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Help my unbelief
Dear God, help my unbelief. When I'm in pain, I forget that you care about me. I forget that you have helped me through my trials. I forget that you hold me in your arms to keep me safe. I forget that you are feeling my pain with me. I forget that you love me, I forget that I am important to you. Show me your presence - let me feel your enveloping love. Heal my hurting soul. Thank you for staying with me even in my unbelief.
Witham United Reformed Church listing was last updated on the 23rd of September, 2018
