The Newland Avenue Church

The Newland Avenue Church is a church planting initiative that began from St John's Newland parish church back in September 2002. When Jesus Christ promised 'I will build my church' he wasn't talking about the buildings we tend to think of, but rather a gathering of people and that is what we are. 

Our remit is to investigate different ways of doing church in order to reach the people of Newland Avenue and its adjoining streets with the good news that Jesus Christ - the Son of God -  lived, died, conquered death for us and is now waiting in heaven for all who will receive his gift of forgiveness from God. It is receiving this gift that brings us into a new relationship with God and means that even in this suffering world we can start to live life as God intended it. And when you experience that, nothing else comes close!

We meet regularly as church, reading and discussing what God has revealed about himself in the Bible and working out the implications for the way we should respond. For us church is about a dynamic community who hold one thing in common - the fact that the God of the universe has made it possible for us to know Him, and that through the most outrageous demonstration of love in history - Jesus Christ dying on a Roman cross. It is the most important message that anyone could hear.

What's on in the Newland Avenue Church

The FUSE Schools Work
We are privileged to hold excellent relationships with two local primary schools: St Nicholas' and Sidmouth primary schools. We run weekly clubs, bi-weekly assemblies and occasional lessons in each.

FUSE Clubs
Anyone in years 3,4,5 or 6 can come to these hour-long, after-school clubs. Each child must have parental permission before they can attend which is recorded through reading one of our letters and returning the attached slip. Letters can be obtained from the school office and slips should be returned there. Each week there are activities and games, quizzes and challenges all of which are designed to introduce our theme which we take from the Bible. An exciting and fun way to learn how and why knowing Jesus is the best thing ever! 
This term we have been 'Time Travelling with Dr Luke' looking at his stunning record of the life Jesus Christ.  

FUSE Assemblies
Every term we are invited in to conduct Christian assemblies. These happen every fortnight and have been enthusiastically received by pupils and staff alike. Always engaging and interactive we have also been praised by OFSTED for this important part of our work. This term our theme has been 'Divine Fruits Unlimited' showing why Christians are to live such amazing lives.

FUSE Lessons
From time to time we run a series of lessons for years 5 and 6 that teach them the whole story line of the Old Testament of the Bible in words and handsigns, and utilising a wide range of teaching styles. It is a major achievement and is well worth seeing when we have the opportunity to demonstrate what has been learnt to the rest of the school... it takes just one and a half minutes! This aspect of our work was also singled out for praise by OFSTED - an inspector said of one particular lesson 'it bears all the hallmarks of good teaching'.  

Home Groups
We have two groups that meet fortnightly in a home to read and discuss the Bible and to pray. These groups are an ideal place for Christians to share with and encourage one another and to care for each other too.  

Christianity Explored
We've run this course recently for families. It is a series of 5 or 6 sessions which introduce the basics of the Christianity. The aim of these is to let the Bible speak for itself as we look at one of the eyewitness biographies of Jesus life. It is an ideal opportunity to find out about what Christians believe for the first time or perhaps as a refresher, and it is certainly the place to bring any questions you may have. We run Christianity Explored from time to time as a group activity (or a family activity) with each session offering a warm and friendly welcome. Please note that you will not be asked to pray or read aloud or do anything weird. We are also able to use this material on a one-to-one basis. Please contact us for more details.

Close encounters with Jesus
This serves as a follow-up to Christianity Explored, taking time simply to look at one episode in the life of Jesus, and specifically to see the difference he made to the people he met... and through His word, the Bible, to meet him today and begin a personal living relationship with him.

If you are interested in any aspect of Newland Avenue Church, please contact the St Johns office.