Christ Church Woodhouse and local school, Christ Church Academy, have been forging links with two new community initiatives.
Last month church and school held their first Christ Church Community Afternoon – a coffee afternoon when parents, staff and church members can meet informally together followed by worship in the school hall with the children.
And the second initiative is the Christ Church Academy Sunday Worship when morning worship is led by the pupils and staff. The first Sunday worship saw more than 170 people gather together with the Archdeacon of Halifax, the Venerable Anne Dawtry and the Mayoress of Kirklees and local councillor, Coun Jean Calvert.
The vicar, Revd David Carpenter, said it was important to reach out to the community and the school and the church had been working hard to find a way to come together that was fun and prayerful at the same time.
The school featured the first Christ Church Community Afternoon in its school magazine:
Tuesday 4th November welcomed our very first ‘Christ Church Community’ afternoon. It was a wonderful opportunity for parents, carers, staff, governors and members of the Church community to come together for afternoon tea. Cakes and scones were enjoyed by all and I must say, there was a lovely atmosphere in the dining room and a real sense of community spirit. Afternoon tea was followed by whole school Collective Worship in the main hall led by Reverend David. As always your wonderful children led the singing with their favourite hymns and songs. A big thank you to everybody who came along and for your support in embracing the opportunity to strengthen our links with the Church and for your donations to the ‘Water For Life Project’ in Tanzania; £37.00 was raised as a result of your generosity. Parent, Kay Shapland was the winner of our ‘Afternoon Tea’ hamper.