REV TIM WATSON: '˜Together we can work out what the church should look like'

The pioneer minister of Leesland is setting up a church for people who don't do church
The Rev Tim Watson, outside the Leesland C of E Infant Schools in Gosport. He is setting up a new church.The Rev Tim Watson, outside the Leesland C of E Infant Schools in Gosport. He is setting up a new church.
The Rev Tim Watson, outside the Leesland C of E Infant Schools in Gosport. He is setting up a new church.

We’re hoping to start a brand new church in Gosport!

When you read that sentence, you might well ask yourself, ‘why does Gosport need another church?’ That’s a good question.

I think the answer comes from asking what motivates the launch of this new church community.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And the answer to that is that it is a love for God and a love for our local community that is behind it all.

On the afternoon of Sunday, February 25, Leesland Neighbourhood Church will meet for the very first time.

Based in the Leesland and Ann’s Hill area of Gosport, the church is being established to serve the local community.

My hope for Leesland Neighbourhood Church is that it becomes church for those who don’t really do church, for those exploring faith and for those interested in faith – but tired of religion.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It has come out of the pioneering work that I’ve been doing in this area, but there is a small group of others behind it too.

As a church we are going to eat together, we’re going to pray together, and together we are going to explore what church might look like for the Leesland and Ann’s Hill community.

When we meet, between 4.30pm and 5.45pm each Sunday, we will be sharing a family-friendly meal, having conversation and getting involved in a creative act of worship.

As a church, we will have a focus on serving our local community alongside the people of our neighbourhood.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

We will be focused on helping faith and creativity flourish.

This new church is not starting with a grand vision statement, or claiming to have all the answers.

Rather, Leesland Neighbourhood Church is being established to be a place where together people can work out what might best serve the local community.

Does Leesland need a film club? A community picnic? Litter-picks? Together we can work out what a church in Leesland might look like.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As this new church starts out we’ll be meeting at St. Faith’s Church, on Tribe Road if you’d like to join us on Sunday for our big launch.

Leesland Neighbourhood Church is part of St Faith’s Church, Tribe Road, Gosport.

Contact Rev Tim Watson on (023) 9243 9737 or e-mail [email protected].