Church’s online presence has helped it grow at a record rate

A church’s online presence has helped it grow at a record rate and attract more people to help the community. The church serving Haverhill and Withersfield has gone from strength to strength with more people wanting to spread the word following the impact of the pandemic.

St Mary’s Church, reached out to fill a gap when the pandemic struck and now it is reaping dividends with more men and women signing up to commit to helping others.

A total of 17 men and women were present for a confirmation service attended by Bishop Martin, the most to be confirmed at Haverhill in one service for 34 years.

Bishop Martin said: "Confirmations seem to be booming in Suffolk, as we can see from the confirmation of 17 wonderful people at St Mary’s in Haverhill. The confirmation service is the completion of a person’s baptism, especially when they are baptised as infants and their parents and godparents make their faith promises on their behalf. People, young and old, are prepared for confirmation through a course of teaching about the Christian faith and how it is lived out. The parish clergy usually provide the preparation and anyone interested in finding out more should contact the clergy at their local church. I am struck that the number of people offering for confirmation this year.”

Bishop Martin also licensed the Revd Wendy Norris as an Associate Priest in the Benefice of St Mary’s Haverhill and Withersfield. She has been Assistant Curate for two years and her career includes working as a Capital Markets Lawyer in London and Jersey.

The Revd Max Drinkwater, Priest in Charge for three years at Haverhill and Withersfield, said: ‘‘One of the things I am really pleased about is that we have some candidates who have come through from our missional activity on a Friday. ‘We run a whole day of activities on a Friday which includes a coffee morning, informal worship at lunchtime, a community hub for a local charity in the afternoon and a hot meal for families in the evening. We have people who have come as a guest to the meal, started volunteering, attended worship and are now seeking confirmation. ‘Another strength is our online presence, which has attracted people in the local area. It gives people the option to engage in worship in a way that helps them to encounter God. Many people don't choose one or the other, but use both online and in person worship at different times.’’

Photo credit: Keith Mindham.