Christ Church Ware
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[edit] Church History
Formed out of the ancient parish in 1850, 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 Gospel 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.
[edit] Facilities
There is a large voluntary aided Church school 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.
[edit] The Church At Present
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 Victorian 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 full time Minister for Youth (Mrs Madeleine Albert); 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 hymns and songs. 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.
At 6:30pm the service is again band led with an emphasis on praise, teaching and response . This draws in a number of younger members of the congregation who fully participate in the planning and leading of the service. The church is increasingly using power point presentations, and video projection for words and images. Its intention is to make greater use of such resources at all their services.
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.
