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Weekly Prayer Focus: Christ Church, Ipswich

Week 28

Christ Church is in the town centre of Ipswich. The church is a United Reformed Church and Baptist Local Ecumenical Partnership which was formed in 1978. They are a welcoming, inclusive community in which they hope that all can experience the love of God. They aim to be a church that shares this love with others, cares for each other and challenges injustice whenever it can. The Revd Neil Coulson has been Christ Church’s minister since 2018 and serves the church alongside a large team of gifted Deacons.

Christ Church folk gather for worship on a Sunday morning from all across Ipswich. The worship tends to be mostly within the traditional and liturgical style. They are blessed to have an excellent organist in Stephen Hogger. For the children and young people, there is always Junior Church, Café church or a service for all ages. During the week, activities include three fellowship and Bible Study groups, a toddlers group, called Tots Plus, and Thursday Forum, which is a weekly lunchtime event with a low-cost meal and guest speaker, which is open to all. The church regularly supports a range of other local and international charities through fundraising events, special services and speakers and other opportunities to give. Rooms within the church buildings are hired by a range of different organisations.

This April, following a long period of reflection and discussion, Christ Church decided to register their buildings to conduct same sex marriage. This was an important decision for them and very much aligns with their values and ethos as an inclusive church. In 2019, Christ Church decided to become an ‘Eco Church’ and last year, we were delighted to receive a ‘Bronze award’ from A Roche’s Eco Church project. Just last month we installed PV panels on our school rooms as part of our continuing Eco Church journey.

Thank you for praying for Christ Church. Please pray for:

The guests they welcomed from the community to our Holiday at Home event. They hope they enjoyed the activities, friendship and food and will continue to sense God’s love and care for them.
The Tots Plus and Thursday Forum and those who attend them from the wider community.
The continuing journey as an inclusive and environmentally responsible church.
Those within the church family who for different reasons are unable to join for Sunday worship and other regular activities.