What else happens at St. Christopher’s Church, Winfrith? (apart from services, weddings, baptisms and funerals)
Weekly prayer and Bible study group held on Monday afternoons. For more details group contact Giles or Sue Marsh - 01929400259
Ride and Stride, annual fund raising event in September for Dorset Historic Churches, the proceeds are split with the church. DHC help support churches in a variety of ways to maintain the church building. A worthy cause, keeps you fit and also very good fun. Walk the whole ten miles (or a shorter section?)
Regular working parties in the graveyards plus spring cleaning in church. Everyone welcome. Refreshments and chat available half way through!
Welcome box of biscuits and Parish Magazine given to new residents on behalf of the church
Open the Book/ Godly Play
These activities take place in our school and help to bring Bible stories to life by using drama and storytelling to help children under the message in the stories.
We believe the above events help us to live out our faith in a practical yet meaningful way.
Collection point in Lych Gate for Food Bank. Co-ordinators Sue and Pete Hyde transport the items to Dorford Baptist Church in Dorchester. A list of suitable items can be found on the lid of the box. £420 was donated to the Food Bank, this was money donated at three Christmas services.
Lay Led Services
As well as a clergy team we have four Lay Worship Leaders in the Benefice. They support the clergy in alternative services e.g. Café Church, Morning Praise, Christmas nativity plays, Carols around the tree, prayer vigils. A prayer vigil, held on 2nd March, raised £130 for the people of Ukraine.
We hope to return to weekly services in April 2023. At present we have three a month, two in church and one in the village hall. Help us become a thriving church.
Our popular Café Church takes place in Winfrith Village Hall on the first Sunday of every month at 10.45 am. Coffee and croissants are served at 10.30 am Everyone welcome, activities for children.
Good Friday - Walk of Witness
Carrying the cross as a silent witness. Do join us on Good Friday. Meet at the school and process to church, check the time in Parish Magazine. A very public experience which helps to convey the significance of Good Friday to the wider community.
Sponsorship – releasing children from poverty
The church and two families in the congregation sponsor three children in Africa via the charity ‘Compassion’. One lives in Rwanda, the other two live in Uganda and Kenya. Details on the church noticeboard if you would like to sponsor a child for £28 per month CompassionUk.org.
This is an extract from Hope’s letter to her sponsors. Hope is 7 years of age.
“Warm greetings to you! I greet you warmly. I am happy with the letter you have written to me. It has reached and pleased me so much. Thank you for the way you think about me. We are in the second term of the school year. We get a free day of Heroes on 1st February. I study well. I like to read and to follow my teacher. Thank you for the gift you have sent to me. It was equivalent to 57 094 Francs. We have used it to buy a goat and clothes. My family and I thank you so much. Love from Hope. Written by Mudenge, my grandfather.”