Thaxted is a town in north-west Essex, with several claims to fame, including a blue plaque to honour Gustav Holst – the British composer of The Planets – who lived in The Manse in the High Street. Also, Dick Turpin, in his pre-Highwayman days, is reputed to have had a butcher’s shop in the town.
Thaxted Baptist Church, in Park Street, occupies a Georgian building dating from 1832 and the new Fabric team is exploring ways to make the church building more attractive to outsiders. Although currently small numerically, the people have a deep love of God and people along with a vision for growth. Outsiders comment on how loved and welcome they are made to feel.
One of the church’s current leadership team, Jim Ford, is in the process of National Recognition and is acting as their minister, and with the dedication of the members and congregation, there is regular contact with the community, in addition to the church’s services.
A wonderful example of this is the church’s provision for people who have been bereaved. There is an opportunity to meet with others and to share support and experiences at a monthly coffee and cake morning. The church also shows its support for the residents of Thaxted’s old people’s home, where they lead a monthly Songs Of Praise service.
Other activities also include a monthly men’s breakfast, which features a short talk followed by a Q&A session, a weekly coffee morning which attracts a number of regular outsiders and the provision of quarterly craft mornings to the pupils of the local primary school. The School is looking to deepen its relationship with the Church.
Thaxted BC is also active in the town’s Churches Together group in association with the Anglican Parish Church and the United Reformed Church.
Prayer focus
20th October 2024
13th October 2024
6th October 2024
