Histon’s Fresh Expression

A Church’s vision to be at the heart of the community has led to the development of a fresh expression of Church known as Essence, according to Revd James Blandford-Baker, Vicar of St Andrew's, Histon.

St Andrew's is in a village just to the north of Cambridge and has an average Sunday attendance of about 250. Essence is a community, meeting on Wednesdays, which began three years ago in an attempt to offer mothers a space to explore their spirituality.  It has led to dramatic growth.

It is regarded as a classic fresh expression of church  (www.freshexpressions.org.uk/about) where new ways of being church exist alongside traditional forms of church going.

People talk naturally and honestly, sharing their stories and engaging fully with the Christian story. 

The focus is not on passing on a 'package' of Christian beliefs but seeking to engage with the questions that people bring.  

James explains: “The aim was to build a congregation for the unchurched and dechurched. This was expressed by clearly saying to the PCC that it was not the purpose of Essence to get people to come on Sunday. The vast majority of people don't come on Sundays and do see Essence as their 'church'.”

He added: “Essence runs on a Wednesday morning, beginning at 9.15 with coffee and croissant as people arrive and settle their babies in the crèche (run by a team from St Andrew’s). At 9.45 is the input and discussion time. With visitors every week it is essential to rehearse the ethos of Essence at the start. At 10.30 there is a break for tea and coffee and then at 11 move upstairs for quiet space, ending at 11.30.” 

Essence is a constantly changing group as mothers come for a time and then return to work and as new people join.

The group is very open - men have been known to attend, and those who come cover an age range from the very young to those in their 80s. Attendance including children is around the 40 to 50 mark each week.

28th June 2011