Thorpe-le-Soken is an attractive village in north east Essex not far from Frinton and Clacton. There has been a Baptist church here for more than 250 years.
Part-time pastor Rev Aubrey Cardy has been at the church since February 2023 initially for two years. He is supported by part-time community worker Michelle Pratt who joined in November 2022, and the church has a strong leadership team of four deacons.
This small church of local people is a warm and loving fellowship with a good range of ages represented. After a difficult period over the past few years and reduced attendance, the church is now bouncing back and seeing a strong increase numerically with about thirty present on Sundays, together with spiritual growth too.
Aubrey preaches and leads the service on two Sundays a month. On one Sunday in the month there is café church, led by community worker Michelle Pratt, with an opportunity to sit around tables, discuss and learn together, across age groups. The time usually includes a short thought, some sung worship and fun activities. On the final Sunday(s) in the month there are guest speakers which often include members of the fellowship.
There is also a wide programme of weekday activities with messy church, a mother and toddler group and Cameo (come and meet each other), a church/community group who meet for soup and fellowship. There is a fortnightly evening home group and a fortnightly mid-morning Bible Study group. And the church is hoping to start a dementia group soon.
There has been massive house-building and new estates all around the village, so the challenge is how to reach those who have move in and identify how to bring God’s kingdom to the wider community.
Please pray for:
3rd November 2024
27th October 2024
20th October 2024