Christ Church Ware
Encyclopedia
Christ Church is a large and active church in the Hertfordshire
town of Ware. Its parish covers the East and South sides of the town.
to every generation and meeting the pressing social, economic and physical needs of the people of the parish
. The needs of the town may have changed 150 years later, but its desire to serve Christ in the community has not diminished. Today it has a growing ministry to young people, families, single parents, the bereaved and men.
and excellent relationships with a large secondary girls’ school in the parish. It is also in partnership with Emmanuel Shared Church, an Anglican Baptist Local Ecumenical Project, which meets in a school in the north of the parish. Mission plays a significant part in the life of the church and it supports 14 mission partners and their children in this country and across the world.
church in the future. To serve the needs of the congregation Christ Church has two full time clergy
(Rev David Proud & Rev. Peter Ould); one non-stipendiary minister (Rev. Paul Watson); a Community Outreach Worker (Mrs Alison Jackson); five readers and a full time administrator (Mrs Mara Hougham), along with a large number of voluntary workers.
With three services on most Sundays the church is able to offer a broader range of styles and ample opportunity for using spiritual gifts.
The 9:15am service is a more structured service, led by organ
and piano
, and using a mixture of hymn
s and song
s. The congregation at this service are committed, enthusiastic and appreciative of its gentle formality. It is growing in numbers and they are seeking ways to assist this growth and develop the quality of the worship.
The 11:00am service draws a wide age range and does attract the families. Music is led by a number of worship
bands. Hymns are more the exception here. Children’s Church runs during the service though the service is finished altogether.
Relationships with the other churches in the town are excellent, with growing commitment to share resources and to work together on projects. They have begun to hold services in the town where the Christians of all denominations can unite in worship. Christ Church is part of the Anglican Deanery
of Ware and Hertford
and together it is seeking to remove the traditional barriers between local parishes and share in the task of mission.
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
town of Ware. Its parish covers the East and South sides of the town.
Church history
Formed out of the ancient parish in 1858, Christ Church now serves half of the town of Ware. (Latest census figures put the town’s population at 17,000). Traditionally evangelical, it remains firmly attached to its historical roots whilst being very open to the rich influence of the Renewal movement. The intention of the men and women who built this church was for Christ Church to be active in the town of Ware, bringing the GospelGospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
to every generation and meeting the pressing social, economic and physical needs of the people of the parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
. The needs of the town may have changed 150 years later, but its desire to serve Christ in the community has not diminished. Today it has a growing ministry to young people, families, single parents, the bereaved and men.
Facilities
There is a large voluntary aided Church schoolSchool
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
and excellent relationships with a large secondary girls’ school in the parish. It is also in partnership with Emmanuel Shared Church, an Anglican Baptist Local Ecumenical Project, which meets in a school in the north of the parish. Mission plays a significant part in the life of the church and it supports 14 mission partners and their children in this country and across the world.
The church today
It has a large and motivated congregation (300+ adults and 140+ children and young people on the books) and excellent facilities with modern halls. The complex is used heavily during the week, largely by church run groups. Upstairs there is a suite of rooms which are primarily for the young people's groups. It is their intention to address the physical limitations of our VictorianVictorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
church in the future. To serve the needs of the congregation Christ Church has two full time clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
(Rev David Proud & Rev. Peter Ould); one non-stipendiary minister (Rev. Paul Watson); a Community Outreach Worker (Mrs Alison Jackson); five readers and a full time administrator (Mrs Mara Hougham), along with a large number of voluntary workers.
With three services on most Sundays the church is able to offer a broader range of styles and ample opportunity for using spiritual gifts.
The 9:15am service is a more structured service, led by organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
and piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, and using a mixture of hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
s and song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
s. The congregation at this service are committed, enthusiastic and appreciative of its gentle formality. It is growing in numbers and they are seeking ways to assist this growth and develop the quality of the worship.
The 11:00am service draws a wide age range and does attract the families. Music is led by a number of worship
Worship
Worship is an act of religious devotion usually directed towards a deity. The word is derived from the Old English worthscipe, meaning worthiness or worth-ship — to give, at its simplest, worth to something, for example, Christian worship.Evelyn Underhill defines worship thus: "The absolute...
bands. Hymns are more the exception here. Children’s Church runs during the service though the service is finished altogether.
Relationships with the other churches in the town are excellent, with growing commitment to share resources and to work together on projects. They have begun to hold services in the town where the Christians of all denominations can unite in worship. Christ Church is part of the Anglican Deanery
Deanery
A Deanery is an ecclesiastical entity in both the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England. A deanery is either the jurisdiction or residence of a Dean.- Catholic usage :...
of Ware and Hertford
Hertford
Hertford is the county town of Hertfordshire, England, and is also a civil parish in the East Hertfordshire district of the county. Forming a civil parish, the 2001 census put the population of Hertford at about 24,180. Recent estimates are that it is now around 28,000...
and together it is seeking to remove the traditional barriers between local parishes and share in the task of mission.
External links
- http://www.christchurchware.co.uk/ Church Website
- http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/ DioceseDioceseA diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
of St AlbansSt AlbansSt Albans is a city in southern Hertfordshire, England, around north of central London, which forms the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans. It is a historic market town, and is now a sought-after dormitory town within the London commuter belt...