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Church Officers
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Linford Methodist Church exists to praise and worship God and to lead people to Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. We seek to proclaim the Good News in word and deed; to encourage holy living and Christian discipleship based on Biblical standards; to discover and use our God-given gifts as we reach out to the community with His love.
The Church in its setting:
The church premises are in Linford but serve an area which embraces four loosely-knit communities which make up East Tilbury and have a total population of around 6000. East Tilbury is a part of the borough of Thurrock which lies along the Thames estuary, east of London.
Sharing agreement with the local Roman Catholic congregation
For several years now we have shared our Church premises with the local Roman Catholic community who hold Sunday morning Mass in our Church at 09.00 am. prior to our own 10.30 service. This arrangement works very well and we have all made many new friends among the Catholic congregation. We have also shared our pianist with them for their services which attract a congregation up to a hundred strong.
1. Fellowship and Spiritual Growth
We regard the family nature of the church as vitally important. Though a relatively small group we support and uphold one another in worship and fellowship. A recently formed Bible study and prayer group meets to encourage spiritual growth and deepen understanding of Christian discipleship.
2. Pastoral Care
We believe that the church, through all its members, exists to care for the emotional and spiritual needs of its congregation, especially in times of trouble. We also have a calling to caring in the same way for those same needs in the community.
3. Worship
The pattern of our worship has, for a number of years, been all-age worship.. This gives diversity and richness to the worship which has led in turn to an enrichment of our church family life across the age groups.
4. Stewardship
We encourage all our members to respond to the call to serve God by using our gifts and graces in His service and for His Kingdom.
5. Outreach
Through existing activities, like the parent/toddler group, we reach into the community. We believe that the church should be noticeable in the community and we commit ourselves to sharing the Gospel. We have always tried to do this through ecumenical co-operation with St Catherine's Church of England with whom we have shared house groups and children's work on Good Friday.
Worship:
We meet at 10.30 on Sunday mornings for worship, which is All-age worship. The church family gathers for the opening of worship and then we split into groups - the younger age group meeting in Sunday School and the adults remaining in church for the preaching service. The closing of the service is shared together again and the young people are able to bring to us what they have been doing in their session.
Weekday activities:
Upgrading and
refurbishing the premises:
Opened for worship in 1900, the end of
the twentieth century the building was in need of thorough
modernisation. Now, fully refurbished, the premises are suitable for a church of the
twenty-first century. The service of rededication of the premises
and of the congregation took place on Saturday, 21st March, 1998.
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