About Guisborough United Reformed Church
The Church Premises are situated in a prime location on the main street of Guisborough, a small market town with a population of 18 thousand. We see ourselves as a warm, friendly and caring family that offers a warm welcome to visitors. The current church and church hall were built in the late 19th century. The Church owns an adjacent property let as office space and a flat.
Our main act of worship is on a Sunday morning at 10.00am and the average congregation is 19 adults and 4 children. In the absence of a minister, services are conducted by visiting preachers. The lack of a minister had given opportunity for the involvement of willing and capable church members in leading worship. As a result, two ‘Guis Folk’ services are now built into the preaching plan each quarter.
A selection of hymnbooks, (Rejoice and Sing, Worship Today, Church Hymnary 4, Methodist, Mission Praise 1 and Junior Praise), are used, and we appreciate having both a good organ and organist, and the informality of our worship.
It is of importance that our young people are included in their time with us in worship. Children normally leave the service after 20 minutes and are led by a Montessori trained teacher who uses internet materials and “Godly Play” and 'Roots' material to nurture them in the faith.
Mission and Outreach
Thursday Coffee mornings and a monthly jumble sale are our regular links to the community. They show an open welcome to visitors and regulars alike, raising funds for church and chosen charities. This valuable link with the community is followed by a 30mins Quiet Time service, open to all.
The church has some involvement in the Guisborough Bridge Association which rents office space from us and aims to provide support in the heart of the Guisborough community. It was set up as a community project by Churches Together in Guisborough and organises activities for young and old. We host a Bridge Prayer Breakfast twice a year. Individual members of our church support the work of the Bridge Project in a variety of ways but we are still seeking other ways to be relevant to the local community. Two of our members represent the church on Churches Together in Guisborough.
Looking beyond our community, we are a Commitment for Life Church supporting Bangladesh and renew this commitment by using materials for an annual service.
Our main act of worship is on a Sunday morning at 10.00am and the average congregation is 19 adults and 4 children. In the absence of a minister, services are conducted by visiting preachers. The lack of a minister had given opportunity for the involvement of willing and capable church members in leading worship. As a result, two ‘Guis Folk’ services are now built into the preaching plan each quarter.
A selection of hymnbooks, (Rejoice and Sing, Worship Today, Church Hymnary 4, Methodist, Mission Praise 1 and Junior Praise), are used, and we appreciate having both a good organ and organist, and the informality of our worship.
It is of importance that our young people are included in their time with us in worship. Children normally leave the service after 20 minutes and are led by a Montessori trained teacher who uses internet materials and “Godly Play” and 'Roots' material to nurture them in the faith.
Mission and Outreach
Thursday Coffee mornings and a monthly jumble sale are our regular links to the community. They show an open welcome to visitors and regulars alike, raising funds for church and chosen charities. This valuable link with the community is followed by a 30mins Quiet Time service, open to all.
The church has some involvement in the Guisborough Bridge Association which rents office space from us and aims to provide support in the heart of the Guisborough community. It was set up as a community project by Churches Together in Guisborough and organises activities for young and old. We host a Bridge Prayer Breakfast twice a year. Individual members of our church support the work of the Bridge Project in a variety of ways but we are still seeking other ways to be relevant to the local community. Two of our members represent the church on Churches Together in Guisborough.
Looking beyond our community, we are a Commitment for Life Church supporting Bangladesh and renew this commitment by using materials for an annual service.
Leadership
In the absence of a minister, the four serving elders work hard to give leadership and maintain the day to day running of the church. They recognise the need to encourage spiritual growth in the members, to move them from being Christians to becoming disciples, perhaps through Bible Study Groups. Retired ministers at present lead Advent and Lent study groups.
There is good pastoral care across the congregation.
Stewardship of Resources
The Property Committee ensure that the buildings are in a reasonable state of repair and finances are relatively healthy, thanks to the expertise and diligent work of the Treasurer.
The Future
We are facing the issues of many congregations in coming to terms with the need to be a missionary congregation without a full-time minister but with a very small number of willing and active members. There are some with vision and enthusiasm to grasp the nettle, to consider needed changes, to make worship more relevant to children and the un-churched community, and to be more community engaged and more outward looking.
Statistics
{Pre-Covid]
Number of members 21 / Number of elders 4 / Number of children 10 / Baptisms in last five years 5 / Number of friends 15 / Marriages in last five years 3 / Number housebound 2 / Funerals in last five years 5
In the absence of a minister, the four serving elders work hard to give leadership and maintain the day to day running of the church. They recognise the need to encourage spiritual growth in the members, to move them from being Christians to becoming disciples, perhaps through Bible Study Groups. Retired ministers at present lead Advent and Lent study groups.
There is good pastoral care across the congregation.
Stewardship of Resources
The Property Committee ensure that the buildings are in a reasonable state of repair and finances are relatively healthy, thanks to the expertise and diligent work of the Treasurer.
The Future
We are facing the issues of many congregations in coming to terms with the need to be a missionary congregation without a full-time minister but with a very small number of willing and active members. There are some with vision and enthusiasm to grasp the nettle, to consider needed changes, to make worship more relevant to children and the un-churched community, and to be more community engaged and more outward looking.
Statistics
{Pre-Covid]
Number of members 21 / Number of elders 4 / Number of children 10 / Baptisms in last five years 5 / Number of friends 15 / Marriages in last five years 3 / Number housebound 2 / Funerals in last five years 5
| Short History of Guisborough URC.pdf |
