Christian Community

A question that does come across my path every now and then and makes me stop and think is: do we really need church? This question often comes from someone who hasn’t been to church in a while and a fairly unique occupational hazard that I have is that people often feel that they need to confess to me the reasons why they haven’t been to church in a while. As an aside, this does make me feel a tad uncomfortable as no one needs to justify anything to me!

So, do we really need church? Is it easier just to pray and worship God in your own way on your own? Do we need to gather, every Sunday and sporadically throughout the week to know God better? I think these are good questions.

Over the last 4 weeks a small group of us on a Monday have gathered together for the Lent group. A brilliant course written by our very own Stephen Spencer where we have been reading the Bible together and reflecting on different journeys of faith. This, of course, has led to reflecting on our journeys of faith and what pointers or ‘waymarks’ have helped us keep the faith and different journey points. These weekly gatherings have been simple and yet powerful. I can honestly say they have been the highlight of my week. All we do is read the Bible together, share what has jumped out to us and then share as much as we want about our own lives and journeys. But in the sharing, in the honesty, in the laughing, in the caring, God’s Holy Spirit has been breathing over our words and conservations and transforming into something much more profound. This small expression of a Christian community has been Church and I feel closer to my brothers and sisters and God as a result.

This question of: do we really need church? Came to me again this week and I thought of the Monday Lent group and felt more confident than I ever have in answering ‘yes’. The Bible mentions a lot about the importance of gathering together, I think something happens when we do that goes beyond our understanding. It echoes something of family, of the joy of ‘being with’ others, of rejoicing when somebody is rejoicing and mourning when someone is mourning. Is it always easy? No. I think we can all testify to that! And I do understand why some people find it easier to find God away from Church. And yet, when we are gathered together we mirror something of the diverse, unique and communal God that we worship. It reminds us that we are body and when we are together we are a richer expression of God’s kingdom.

It is on my heart to look at the importance of the ‘gathered’ expression of our church community. This includes Sunday, but it also strikes me that the mid-week smaller groups are just as important. Having a moment where we can share, pray for and be prayed for, to listen, to input, to journey with others enables us in our faith. I will be sharing more on this in the coming months!

Laura Verrall-Kelly

< Older Post

Newer Post >

More blog posts

Sermon on Sunday,10th August 2025

By matthew.buckmaster • August 10, 2025

Preached by the Revd Laura Verrall-Kelly, Associate Vicar

Interregnum Information

By Laura.Verrall-Kelly • August 7, 2025

Keeping You Updated During the Interregnum As I prepare to go on maternity leave at the end of August, I want to share some important updates regarding our Sunday Services and communication during the Interregnum period. We’ve taken time to consider what is sustainable and meaningful in this season of transition, and while some of the changes have been difficult, they are intended to ensure we can continue to worship together well. Service Changes 8am BCP Eucharist We’ve made the difficult decision to pause this service during the vacancy, following a PCC vote (with 3 votes against). This is due to the limited availability of clergy to cover two Eucharist services on a Sunday. We’re grateful that this decision has allowed us to secure strong cover for the other services. If you’re looking for an early service, the Cathedral offers Morning Prayer at 7.40am and BCP Eucharist at 8am. This change to the 8am will happen from the beginning of October. Mattins & Evensong These will continue with support from a growing team of Lay Leaders. If you're interested in helping lead, please speak to Simon Goodman. Please note: bespoke online orders of service will no longer be produced weekly. Instead, we will use a standard booklet and hymn book in church. Online viewers will receive a standard order of service plus a document with Bible readings and hymns. 10.30am Sung Eucharist Some small changes are being made to simplify things for visiting clergy: Notices will be read by a Church Warden, Duty Warden or Church Representative Communion distribution will return to queue formation A Gradual Hymn will replace the Responsorial Psalm - there is simply not the resource to produce a weekly or termly Psalm hand out in church. We’ll use a standard “Eucharist during the Vacancy” order of service (in booklet form), with hymn books provided in church. As with other services, online resources will mirror this setup. These changes to the 10.30am will happen from the 17th August. Christingle Service Due to the scale of this service and the planning it requires, we’ve made the difficult decision to pause it this year. Without full-time clergy to oversee preparations and lead the service, we don’t believe we can deliver it safely or well. We know this will be disappointing, but this service will be back. Ongoing Communication Thanks to Chris Duncan and Sam Love, we will continue to send out a weekly email during the Interregnum. I’m very grateful to both of them for stepping up to support in this way. We know some of these decisions may not affect everyone, while others may feel them more deeply. We don’t expect universal agreement, and that’s okay — your questions and thoughts are welcome and valued. All we ask is that feedback is offered with kindness and respect for those who have worked hard to make these plans in a short space of time. Thank you for being part of this community and for your ongoing support as we navigate this together.