Vision and Values
We are an active and caring Christian community that has stood at the centre of East Grinstead for almost a thousand years. We look forward to welcoming you here!
Our vision is to share the love of Jesus with East Grinstead, that we each are transformed into the image of Christ, that in this community we know a deep sense of belonging and that together we would bear fruit that blesses our town.
We stand on the shoulders of the wonderful things that have happened here in the past and look forward with expectation for all God has planned for us.
We’d love you to join us in this vision to bless East Grinstead. Please read more about how our past informs our future mission.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Luke Whiteman
Our Vision
Belong, Be Transformed, Bear Fruit.
Our Values
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The history of our town shows a remarkable streak of welcome. After the Second World War, we welcomed many RAF pilots with life-changing injuries as they received cutting-edge plastic surgery at the local hospital. They were called the Guinea Pig Club, and our town provided a warm welcome for these men, many of whom looked different because of their injuries.
As a church we seek to welcome all, regardless of difference, in this inspiring way.
As we welcome the outsider, we pray that we will draw together a group of people who know asense of belonging at our church.
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John Mason Neale is a particular hero of the church, a man who challenged the status quo and encouraged people to worship God in a new way. He wrote songs, set up religious orders and encouraged people to come close to God.
The church building is an inspiring place, and many people describe feeling close to God there, both during services and when sitting quietly in a pew during the week.
As people encounter God, we know they will be changed. We pray that we are a place where people are transformed.
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Outside our church stands a memorial to three martyrs who were burned to death for their faith. They were locked up in the town centre and told if they recanted, they wouldn’t be killed. But they didn’t, and as the memorial outside says – they were faithful until death.
We long to keep this long tradition of faithfulness to God for the good of our town. As we are faithful, we pray we will see fruit in ourselves, our church and our town.
How our past informs our future…
History
What we believe
THE NICENE CREED
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father.
God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again, in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Amen.