Christmas came early for Christians Together In Calderdale whose dream to own their own building so they can extend their vital work with those most in need in Halifax are a step closer thanks to Calderdale Council.
Now Christians Together in Calderdale plan to extend the Food and Support Drop In run from Ebenezer Methodist Church and create a “pay as you are able” café to offer more help to the communities they serve after the council gave them the building on a peppercorn rent.
Linda Maslen, a member of Christians Together In Calderdale said: “We are delighted that the council have given us the building on a substantially reduced rent to be able to offer far more to the community that we serve. As well as extending the foodbank we hope to be able to create a cafe that is run on a 'pay as you are able' basis and start to offer more support groups to serve our people here.”
And they had a very special guest last weekend, when they welcomed the Diocesan Bishop, the Rt Revd Nick Baines who joined the Saturday Gathering to baptise a family of three and on hearing the news, blessed each floor of the new building.
Bishop Nick wanted to find out more about Saturday Gathering which is a Fresh Expressions of church which has grown out of the Halifax Food and Support Drop In.
Linda explained: “The first Saturday evening saw a small group of new disciples come together to eat, share stories and worship with a handful of volunteers.
“These were completely new believers taking their first steps in faith.
“Now most Saturdays we see over 70 people gathering together and since January this year we have seen 48 people baptised at Saturday Gathering.
“It is very different to a Sunday service in a parish church, people come and go, there is always background noise and our children are in the midst of the gathering doing craft activities and the like.
“It’s a beautiful mess,” she added.
After the baptism of Jon, Poppie and Reuben the church broke for dinner and Bishop Nick shared in a two course meal where people gathered swap stories.
Until 6th December the group had rented space in the former Methodist Church and now Calderdale Council has given them the old parish building next door to further develop the work they have been doing with the marginalised of the town.