Parsons Heath is a suburb on the northeast edge of Colchester. Since 2016, the fellowship have been seeking new ways to be God’s church within their community, streets, homes and families. For Parsons Heath, this meant a stepping back from building-based activities and stepping out as witnesses and servants from their homes and workplaces.
COVID may have forced the fellowship at Parsons Heath to move from their ageing and restrictive building, but they took the bold decision to remain out of the building for the foreseeable future. The fellowship now meets via Zoom on Sundays and uses conventional and more interactive ways to worship God and support one another.
Twice weekly they gather for prayer. The fellowship sees this as a significant part of their calling. These times have an outward and missional focus, as they seek to live out God’s heart for others. Once a month the fellowship meets face-to-face at the manse. This encourages and builds community.
Alongside and supporting these goals is a ‘Link’ magazine. Initiated during lockdown, it is distributed to all church contacts. This helps keeping in touch with the housebound and a wider pre-COVID congregation.
The fellowship are also using innovative means to prayerfully serve those around them. A stand offering free apples from church members’ apple trees led to remarkable conversations, new contacts, and the sharing of faith.
Through deepening spiritual relationships, and a growing awareness of community needs, the fellowship at Parsons Heath are learning to bring God into their individual situations.
For prayer:
8th September 2024
1st September 2024
25th August 2024
