A new Place of Welcome has been launched at St Hilda's church in Halifax.
Places of Welcome is an initiative being developed by the Church Urban Fund’s Together Network and has been adopted here in the Diocese of Leeds. It is a growing network of hospitality where people feel safe to belong, connect and contribute. With now over 280 venues across the UK each Place of Welcome is unique and can take place in a variety of different venues including churches, community centres, libraries, Mosques, temples and other community venues. They offer somewhere people can go for a friendly face, a cup of tea and a conversation when they need it.
Although there are over 280 Places of Welcome nationwide, this is a new scheme for the Huddersfield Episcopal Area and St Hilda's is the first church to join the network of hospitality.
Revd Caroline Greenwood, vicar at St Hilda's, said "Our Place of Welcome has been the relaunch of an existing coffee club. A mixture of people attend our church and live within the local area. We want to embed ourselves in the community, reaching out to those who now live near by and providing a welcoming space for those who may be new to the area, particularly as there is quite a large migrant community."
"We provide free tea, coffee and cake and plenty of conversation and if anyone wants to, they can also help us knit prayer blankets which we make and give to those in need."
The Place of Welcome at St Hilda's church will be open weekly on Wednesdays from 2.00pm until 3.30pm.
For more information about Places of Welcome please follow this link or if your church would like to enquire about joining the Places of Welcome network please email placesofwelcome@wellspringstogether.org.uk