Ardleigh Christians Together 

The Ardleigh Fellowship group started in May 2016, meeting on the second Wednesday of each month in the Methodist Church Hall. People from the three main denominations in Ardleigh have attended. The emphasis was on Bible study, praise and prayer. During one meeting, the focus came clearly onto the Great Commission, Matthew 28. Those present were inspired to think about reaching out, and to look outwards for opportunities to provide ministry.

This resulted in the formation of Ardleigh Christians Together, a group working together with a shared faith and desire to reach out with the good news of the Christian faith to the people of Ardleigh and surrounding area. ACT was a formally constituted Churches Together ecumenical group between Anglicans and Methodists in Ardleigh.

The group worked together at projects like have a presence at the Boot Fair, litter picking, prayer walks.

Post Covid the Roman Catholic congregation did not return for Sunday Services and the Methodist Church closed down.

However we do still enjoy meeting together on the second and fourth Monday of the month at Ardleigh Parish Church at 6.30 for a time of prayer, praise and time with the Holy Spirit. This group is hosted by the Living Stones group and all are welcome to join us.
















Our vision for 2019 is shaped by the verse - Matthew 9:36
'When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.'

If you would like to join the team please contact the office

 

Parish Visiting
Cards were printed to be dropped through the doors of Ardleigh residents, with a question  we are listening to you, is there any way that we can help you? What do you think our village most needs? Three teams of two persons have done some limited visiting, by delivering the cards then doing a door knock follow up within two weeks. This has been done with Parish Council knowledge and support.


Litter picking
The first organised litter pick took place in October 2018. The Parish Council and TDC provided litter pickers, hoops and bags, with subsequent disposal of the collected waste. Roalco and SRC donated some hi-vis jackets. Over 20 bags of litter were collected, plus car parts, an old bike and other items, by the 9 volunteers.


Joint services
These take place very 4 months, hosted by the Methodist Church and St Mary's C of E church.The denominations share the responsibilities of teaching, preaching, prayer ministry and organising. There is fellowship after each service with light refreshments.
 













































Church at Boot flowers given out on Mothering Sunday




Parish Visiting

Cards were printed to be dropped through the doors of Ardleigh residents, with a concept of we are listening to you, is there any way that we can help you? What do you think our village most needs? Three teams of two persons have done some limited visiting, by delivering the cards then doing a door knock follow up within two weeks. This has been done with Parish Council knowledge and support. Currently, this ministry requires more teams and needs to determine what it is hoping to achieve.




Litter picking

The first organised litter pick took place on 13th October 2018. The Parish Council and TDC provided litter pickers, hoops and bags, with subsequent disposal of the collected waste. Roalco and SRC donated some hi-vis jackets. Over 20 bags of litter were collected, plus car parts, an old bike and other items, by the 9 volunteers.




Joint services

Three evening services have now been held (2018/2019) in the Methodist Church, and each has been well attended. It is proposed to hold three services each year in May/June, Oct/Nov and Feb/March. The next service is at Pentecost, 9th June 2019, 6pm.

The denominations share the responsibilities of teaching, preaching, prayer ministry and organising. There is fellowship after each service with light refreshments.The Ardleigh Fellowship group started in May 2016, meeting on the second Wednesday of each month in the Methodist Church Hall. People from the three main denominations in Ardleigh attended. Emphasis was on Bible study, praise and prayer. During one meeting, the focus came clearly onto the Great Commission, Matthew 28. Those present were inspired to think about reaching out, and to look outwards for opportunities to provide ministry.

This resulted in the formation of Ardleigh Christians Together, a group of mainly three denominations, Anglican, Catholic and Methodist working together with a shared faith and desire to reach out with gospel truth to the people of Ardleigh and surrounding area. A constitution was agreed - see the five main objectives. Public liability insurance was also put in place. Various initial suggestions were made:

Church at the Boot.

Resulting from the initiative and request of James Blyth, proprietor of the Ardleigh car boot weekly event held on Sunday mornings. The first ACT team was present on 22nd July, 2018 and for most weeks until 4th November, a team was on site. This was usually from 8am to 12 noon. It is best described as a prayerful presence ministry which has resulted in various contacts and requests. A team member log has been kept each week - see summary. During a meeting with James Blyth, he confirmed his ongoing support for this ministry. The new season starts again in March 2019.

Our vision for 2019 is shaped by the verse - Matthew 9:36'When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.'


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Church at Boot flowers given out on Mothering Sunday

 

Parish Visiting

Cards were printed to be dropped through the doors of Ardleigh residents, with a concept of we are listening to you, is there any way that we can help you? What do you think our village most needs? Three teams of two persons have done some limited visiting, by delivering the cards then doing a door knock follow up within two weeks. This has been done with Parish Council knowledge and support. Currently, this ministry requires more teams and needs to determine what it is hoping to achieve.

 

Litter picking

The first organised litter pick took place on 13th October 2018. The Parish Council and TDC provided litter pickers, hoops and bags, with subsequent disposal of the collected waste. Roalco and SRC donated some hi-vis jackets. Over 20 bags of litter were collected, plus car parts, an old bike and other items, by the 9 volunteers.

 

Joint services

Three evening services have now been held (2018/2019) in the Methodist Church, and each has been well attended. It is proposed to hold three services each year in May/June, Oct/Nov and Feb/March. The next service is at Pentecost, 9th June 2019, 6pm.

The denominations share the responsibilities of teaching, preaching, prayer ministry and organising. There is fellowship after each service with light refreshments.

John Goldsbrough, 24/04/2019