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Update – October 2020
As we move towards the winter months there is every indication that the Covid restrictions are only going to get tighter. In view of this I want to encourage us all to keep focussing on what we can do rather than what we can’t do. I know there is a weariness with online meetings which can feel overwhelming at times, especially Zoom. Yet let’s not lose heart. If we are growing weary, let’s take Jesus up on his offer, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Despite the challenges there are many things that we are not restricted from doing. All of us can continue to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. All of us can fix our eyes on Jesus. All of us can be filled every day with the Spirit. Only as we do this can we show God’s love to those around us. All of us can find ways of connecting with others. Even though we all miss being together on Sundays at the MBC and in Kings Worthy we are still able to gather in smaller groups. Whilst the Government’s ‘rule of six’ may yet change, Jesus’ ‘rule of two or three’ (Matthew 18:20) won’t! In the smallest group of people that can gather in his name Jesus promises he will be present. When we meet with other believers we are being church. We are still encouraging small distinct groups of people to use the MBC whilst complying with government guidance. Currently the youth, our students, some small groups and Freedom in Christ, are using the MBC for gatherings of up to around 30 people. Let’s continue to be creative in doing things we are allowed to do at the moment and take initiative with those around us both inside and outside the church. I am so grateful to God for each and every one of you. With much love and grace Steve
14. Oct 2020
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Update – October 2020
As we move towards the winter months there is every indication that the Covid restrictions are only going to get tighter. In view of this I want to encourage us all to keep focussing on what we can do rather than what we can’t do. I know there is a weariness with online meetings which can feel overwhelming at times, especially Zoom. Yet let’s not lose heart. If we are growing weary, let’s take Jesus up on his offer, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Despite the challenges there are many things that we are not restricted from doing. All of us can continue to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. All of us can fix our eyes on Jesus. All of us can be filled every day with the Spirit. Only as we do this can we show God’s love to those around us. All of us can find ways of connecting with others. Even though we all miss being together on Sundays at the MBC and in Kings Worthy we are still able to gather in smaller groups. Whilst the Government’s ‘rule of six’ may yet change, Jesus’ ‘rule of two or three’ (Matthew 18:20) won’t! In the smallest group of people that can gather in his name Jesus promises he will be present. When we meet with other believers we are being church. We are still encouraging small distinct groups of people to use the MBC whilst complying with government guidance. Currently the youth, our students, some small groups and Freedom in Christ, are using the MBC for gatherings of up to around 30 people. Let’s continue to be creative in doing things we are allowed to do at the moment and take initiative with those around us both inside and outside the church. I am so grateful to God for each and every one of you. With much love and grace Steve
Update – July 2020
These are extraordinary days that we’re living in. We’re now nearly four months into lockdown, and only now is this lockdown starting to ease. We’re hearing news that two families can now meet together in one house, as long as they socially distance. I hope that you’re enjoying that; I hope that you’re enjoying spending time with family, friends and neighbours. But maybe that’s the way forward, in terms of Hope Online. Maybe for Hope Online on a Sunday, you can gather with one other family and worship together. What a great thing to do that would be! As a church, we are looking to open our building. We’re looking to be able to have small meetings and gatherings in the Middle Brook Centre, but we’re having to work through all the details and the implications of that. The city is opening up. All sorts of businesses are starting to re-open. I’m involved with Street Pastors; Street Pastors are back on the streets in the nights, the night-time economy of Winchester, which is great. But in terms of church, gathering together on a Sunday at our Hope Central and Hope North sites, we are not going to be doing that before September at the earliest. But we are so looking forward to being back together – and it won’t be long! With much love and grace, Steve Chick
Coronavirus Update
Dear All, We are now in the fourth week of the UK lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic. At this moment in time none of us quite knows how long this current situation will go on for nor do we know how the country will transition back into a more normal rhythm of life. As Elders we are continuing to pray for all of you, in particular your continued physical health and well-being during these most challenging of times. We are also praying for all those in authority who are having to make incredibly difficult decisions as well as for our NHS and the many volunteers/key workers who are doing such an amazing job. Whilst we have suspended all our actual meetings I am grateful for the teams of people who have been working hard over these last weeks to enable church life to continue albeit virtually. I hope you have found all that we have been providing through Hope Online, Hope Kids, our youth work, etc. encouraging. I know it is not the same as being together but I trust you have found it helpful in keeping connected. We will be continuing to keep you all updated with what is happening over the coming days and weeks so please keep checking online for updates including prayer requests. You will remember I recently quoted another Newfrontiers church leader who said, “For years, the church in the West has measured its health by the number of people it gathers on a Sunday. Jesus’ barometer of health was different. Do you love one another? In the coming months, with all that we are facing, we’ll need to re-discover what this really means.” Through Hope Care we have been working to put in place way a way we can practically show the love of God. If you or someone you know is need of help or support please contact us at care@hopewinchester.org. I also want to encourage us all to keep in touch with those around us. These days may be challenging but they also give us opportunities for the gospel. I am trusting that God will open doors for many to be able to explore questions they have about faith through our online Alpha. Thanks for all your love and continued support. Please continue to seek God and pray for the church. With much love and grace, Steve ChickOn behalf of all the Elders
Coronavirus
MESSAGE FROM STEVE CHICK TO ALL AT HOPE CHURCH Dear All, I am writing on behalf of the Elders following the Government advice late yesterday afternoon which is clear and unequivocal about stopping all non-essential meetings and gatherings. We have made it clear in recent weeks that we will be following Government advice. In view of this I believe the right thing is for us to suspend all church meetings with immediate effect. This situation is unprecedented but in the context of what the Government has advised there is no other option. We are working to put in place new ways to bring biblical truth, provoke faith and stir up worship and prayer in what is uncharted territory for us as a church. We will be endeavouring to communicate well with you all in the coming days. Please be looking online for updates from us as to how we intend doing this. As another Newfrontiers church leader recently said, “For years, the church in the West has measured it’s health by the number of people it gathers on a Sunday. Jesus’ barometer of health was different. Do you love one another? In the coming months, with all that we are facing, we’ll need to re-discover what this really means.” These days may be challenging but they also give us opportunities for the gospel. Please continue to seek God and pray. With much love and grace, Steve ChickOn behalf of all the Elders
Hope Beyond The Grave
Holidays, chocolate eggs with the occasional rabbit thrown in for good measure have by and large obscured the rich meaning of Easter. This is why for most of us Good Friday is good without us ever appreciating the reason for that. Inevitably we all come to realise life is too short with most of us preferring it didn’t end. Into this vacuum the Bible sounds the comforting message that there is hope beyond the grave. It records an extraordinary statement made by Jesus: ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.’ Millions of people over the centuries have put their trust in what he said. Why? Especially when, bizarrely, not many months after making this promise he himself died, crucified on a Roman cross. Jesus’ words were and still are the most profound ever spoken. People who heard him in the flesh simply said, ‘No one ever spoke the way this man does.’ If his words in life were significant then how much more his words in death. Jesus was on the cross for some six hours and the four Gospels record what happened and what he said. He didn’t say much – not surprising in the light of what he was going through – but the seven things he did say hold answers to the questions that both life and, more importantly, death pose. The more time we spend contemplating what he said, the richer in meaning we will find his words. Our Easter Through Art exhibition is an opportunity for us to take time out to reflect on Jesus’ seven cries from the cross. Sometimes we need to make space to be quiet to give ourselves time to think about things that really matter. Why don’t we come and explore what happened that first Good Friday? Allow the artwork and thought provoking reflections to give us an insight into all that Jesus promises. Come and be amazed at the wonder of what Easter represents. As we do we will begin to appreciate afresh why Easter Friday really is good. Much grace, Steve
One Church, Two Sunday Venues
As of Sunday 3rd March we are a multi-site church – one church with two Sunday venues – Hope North and Hope Central. Our drive to multi-site is not ‘empire-building’. It is based on clear convictions, supported by significant prophetic words, that God is calling us to ‘Make Room’ for more people to encounter his grace among us, and to ‘Get Ready’ for him to do something new among us and in our city and surrounding areas. As prophesied, there are many signs of new life emerging – and more to come. The challenge of this exciting time, whichever site you’re committed to, is to find out, with God’s help, what part you can play. Everyone has a unique contribution to make, so let’s serve like Jesus! We are marking the birth of Hope North and Hope Central with a weekend of celebration starting with a church Ceilidh (barn dance to some!) on Friday evening, 1st March. It’s a great opportunity to be together – young and old – to have some fun and to enjoy this special moment. So don’t miss it! Then on Sunday 3rd March it’s our multi-site birthday party. For our first meetings we have Steve Petch from Welcome Church Woking as our visiting speaker and we are expecting God’s rich blessing. We’re praying for joy in heaven and on earth and, of course, there’ll be balloons, birthday cake and goodie bags! Everyone’s Invited 🙂 As we launch into this new and exciting season our theme through March and April will be ‘Everyone’s Invited.’ On Sunday mornings we will start with Jesus’ parable about a wedding banquet (Matthew 22:1-14) which so clearly shows God’s open, generous heart for people, before having lunch together at both sites after the meetings. Over the following weeks we’ll explore God’s heart in action. We want the whole church to catch afresh something of God’s heart for those who don’t yet know him. It’s not just about inviting people to meetings – though our Sundays and Alpha evenings are great opportunities. It’s really about a greater challenge of invitation – to open up our hearts, our lives, our homes, our diaries to others in the same way that God opened his heart to us. To emphasise this priority we’re calling Sunday 24th March ‘Making Room Sunday’ where we will be finishing our meetings early to give us all some extra time to ‘make room’ for neighbours or friends in some way. Maybe for a walk or a cuppa or even Sunday lunch? So why not get planning who, what and where! Thank you Finally, as elders, we want to acknowledge the work that has got us to this point – and which will be needed going forward. We are so grateful to all of you who are embracing change, taking on new responsibilities, giving time, money and talents in the service of this vision to partner with our Great King in the expansion of his Kingdom. We look forward to increasing fruitfulness, more transformed lives and great joy! Jonathan Lloyd
‘Through’ by Steve Chick
Death, not space, is the final frontier. It takes no prisoners. There is no reprieve for good behaviour. Money can’t buy a way out. Its shadow looms over all humanity. Shrouded in mystery, the thought of it leaves most of us overwhelmed with fear. If the short-sighted solution is not to think about it, is there anyone who has faced death, lived to tell the tale and can show us the way through? For centuries the words of one man have given lasting hope to all those facing the ultimate challenge that death poses. His name is Jesus. The Bible says that God sent him to set free all those who were overwhelmed by their fear of death. He claimed that anyone who put their trust in him, and in what he said, would never die. Over the centuries, since he made that promise, millions of people have taken him at his word. Can we? Were they right to do so? Especially as, bizarrely, not long after he made that statement he himself died, crucified on a Roman cross! My conviction is yes. In the six hours it took for him to die, Jesus didn’t say much. Yet what he did say was profound. His seven ‘cries from the cross’ provide answers to mankind’s deep need for forgiveness, security and belonging. They fill the human heart with confidence, that when we close our eyes on this life God will take us home. To prove that he meant what he said Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus’ cries from the cross offer lasting hope to all who look to him. They were, and still are, famous last words! ‘Through’ by Steve Chick Order now at www.kevinmayhew.com/through.html
The Best Is Yet To Come
This sound bite summarises Jesus’ first miracle in the Gospels when he changed water to wine. It has also been my experience of the Christian life as I have followed Jesus through the ups and downs of the last three decades. Over the years God has made similar promises to this church many times and in all sorts of ways: ‘You will double and double again’; ‘A river of blessing will river flow out from the Middle Brook Centre down to the west and south, bringing life’; ‘Get ready there is going to be an out pouring of God’s glory in Winchester and Kings Worthy’; ‘Many signs of new life will start emerging in the near future.’ God has spoken. We have heard his voice. Now is the time for us to take a step of faith. This is why Hope Church is going multi-site in March. It means we will remain one church with two Sunday venues. The reason is all to do with making room for more people to be able to encounter the grace of God among us. Moving to two staggered Sunday morning meetings, at what will become Hope North and Hope Central, will be challenging and exciting at the same time. As Malcolm Kayes recently reminded us, to make this work everyone will need to serve like Jesus. This change will impact us all but it also means we all have a part to play. So as we look forward to the launch on Sunday 3rd March let’s all be ready to play our part and remember the best is yet to come! Much grace, Steve
Hope Church North-Site
As Jesus walked amongst us he demonstrated a whole new way of living. He taught us to love God. He taught us to forgive, to be thankful, joyful, kind and generous… He inspired us to look outwards and to love our neighbours whoever they are. We want to follow his example. By loving people unconditionally, the way God loves us, we demonstrate they are of infinite value. God is all about people. The Gospel always provokes us to make space so more people can be impacted by Jesus’ message of hope. This message is for everyone… all ages… from all sorts of backgrounds… for all who God will call! It’s why we are called HOPE Church. In recent years we’ve seen God-given momentum as we’ve become more fruitful across many areas of church life. We are grateful to God for growth and are enjoying the practical challenge this brings, however we anticipate space on Sunday mornings to be a real issue as we move forward which has prompted us to consider how we should respond. Please make sure you pick up a copy of our Hope Church North-Site ‘The Story So Far’ to find out more about our plans or CLICK TO READ ONLINE. “Our desire is to build a grace-filled community of Jesus followers bringing good news to Winchester & beyond…” Much grace, Steve
