Your chance to support work of Connect Norwich 

Churches and Christian organisations across Greater Norwich have been asked to consider supporting the newly-renamed Connect Norwich group in its work in building meaningful relationships within the local Christian community.

Here is the letter sent to potential supporters:

Dear Supporter,

We're excited to share the latest developments to the newly-named Connect Norwich (formerly Transforming Norwich) and invite you to be an integral part of this growing community.

Together we're like diverse plants blooming in a flourishing garden, each new addition enriching the whole with its colours. Your connection not only fosters meaningful relationships with fellow Christians but also fuels growth and understanding, through the cross-pollination of ideas. Supporting Connect Norwich will encourage and strengthen the unity of the Church, in sowing seeds of hope and nurturing relationships, as we flourish united in our love for Christ and commitment to his mission.

Connect Norwich is a group of Christian church, organisational and charity leaders partnering together in the gospel, on the basis of shared mission, friendship, values and beliefs; for the purpose of facilitating and encouraging good relationships between Christian leaders, their churches and organisations.

During the last year we have heard from Rev Mark Elvin about refugee work at Bowthorpe Church Centre, Phil Gazley from Peace Catalyst International, theatre ministry from Rev Dean Ackrill at St Cuthbert’s, Craig Deal and Marc Lillystone from Gateway Vineyard, RCCG church leader Pastor Jonathan Onyeme, The Ven Keith James, Archdeacon of Norwich and Rev Matthew Hutton (Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk).

It is always encouraging to meet up with other brothers and sisters in Christ and to encourage, strengthen and pray together. We recently rebranded the group to more accurately reflect our purpose and mission.

Our purpose, this year, will primarily be achieved through the following activities:

1. Connect Norwich Steering Group: this team will consist of up to 12 church (min of 8), charity or organisational senior leaders from the Greater Norwich area. This team will be responsible for the organising and administration of the meetings and helping guide some of the communication to the Christian community through Network Norfolk.  Any member of Connect Norwich can recommend a senior church or Christian organisational leader to become part of the Steering Group.

2. Hosting Leaders lunches: the aim of these is to provide a context for existing friendships to deepen and new friendships to be made. At each lunch, someone will speak briefly with the aim of encouraging leaders and/or provoking us to mission. It has been found that through friendships made in this context a number of shared initiatives have come about.

3. Communicating primarily through Network Norfolk: the aim of this is to communicate to Christians around the Norfolk area, promoting the events and activities of local churches, Christian organisations and charities.  Network Norwich also hosts the www.connectnorwich.co.uk  website 

4. Giving from local churches and organisations: The money that comes in will be used in four ways. 

• Helping fund the lunches and paying for speaker expenses and gifts, 
• Helping to support the running costs of Network Norfolk,
• Administration costs for Connect Norwich, and 
• Any leftover will be given away to an agreed upon charity, church or project in the city for the purpose of mission.  

There is not a set membership fee but we would encourage each member church or organisation to give motivated by grace, to support the work of Connect Norwich. As a guideline to giving, if 20 churches gave £150 each, the annual costs would be covered, but we appreciate that some churches are able to give more while others give less.

None of this is without the generous support of local churches and organisations who are passionate about unity and are willing to give generously in time and money to make it happen. We understand there will be lots of demands on limited resources at this time, but we hope that you will feel that this modest suggested donation is an incredible investment in our shared ministry.

We hope churches, organisations and individuals are encouraged and equipped through the work of Connect Norwich and will continue to support us in the coming year.  
 
Blessings, Connect Norwich Steering Group:
Nick Blanch – Youth for Christ
Toby Skipper – King’s Church
Craig Deal – Gateway Vineyard
Keith Morris – Network Norfolk
Trevor Pimlott – Soul Church
Debbie Pearson – Salvation Army
Tim Yau – Sprowston and North Norwich Team Ministry
 
You can make a donation via BACS to account: Transforming Norwich, sort code: 20-62-53 a/c no: 90674117

To send a cheque please contact Anna Heydon at: connectnorwich@networknorwich.co.uk
 
Pictured above is a recent Connect Norwich leaders meeting.