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What we Believe

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We believe we should share the good news about Jesus, equip people in their faith journey and help them live out their faith in the world.

From the earliest days of the Church, Christians developed short, simple summaries of the faith. These short statements became known as creeds.
 

The word ‘creed’ comes from the Latin word credo, meaning ‘I believe and trust’.


Two creeds in particular were developed in the early centuries of the Church, which have remained important to the Church and are regularly used in our worship today.

People who were preparing for baptism in the early centuries of the Christian Church learned a short summary of what Christians believe. One version became accepted as the Apostles’ Creed, because it was thought to include the essential teaching of the 12 apostles, Jesus’ earliest followers. It was into that faith of the apostles that Christians were, and are, baptized.

The Apostles’ Creed is therefore a summary of what the Church teaches, and of what Christians together believe, rather than a detailed statement of individual and personal belief. Saying the Creed binds Christians together as a believing community, across different traditions and practices.

As we say the Creed, we join Christians past and present, and from all over the world, in proclaiming our common faith.
 
The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.



The Nicene Creed


The Nicene Creed is a more detailed summary of what the whole Church believes about the great doctrines of the Christian faith. It begins with the statement: ‘We believe …’ The Nicene Creed uses the same threefold structure as the Apostles’ Creed but goes into more depth and detail. It was first adopted at the Council of Nicaea in AD 325 by a gathering of bishops.
Read 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.


'Great is the Lord and highly to be praised;
his greatness is beyond all searching out.
One generation shall praise your works to another
and declare your mighty acts.'

Psalm 145.3-4
 
Glenys
Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello 

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning.

Where and When

First Sunday of the Month
On the first Sunday of the month we gather for our united service held at Balsham church at 10:30am.  There is always a children’s church provided during each of these united services. Music is led by a choir, organ and music group.  There is also an Evensong on the first Sunday held at Little Abington church at 6pm. 

Second Sunday of the Month
On the second Sunday there are Communion services at Hildersham, Great Abington and West Wickham.  There is morning worship at Balsham and Weston Colville and a café church at West Wratting at 4pm.
 
Third Sunday of the Month
On the third Sunday there are Communion services at West Wickham, Balsham and Weston Colville, morning worship at Little Abington and café church at Hildersham at 4pm.
 
Fourth Sunday of the Month
On the fourth Sunday there are Communion services at Great Abington at 8am and West Wratting at 10:45am, a breakfast church at Great Abington from 9pm and an Evensong at Hildersham at 6pm. 

Where there is a fifth Sunday there will be a communion at [  ] and [  ]; and morning worship at [ ]

This pattern of services, however, will vary in the weeks prior to Christmas and Easter and details about these services will be on our website, in parish magazines and on church noticeboards. 


images: Services

What about my children?

Children are very welcome at all of our services but there are services where there is particular provision for them. 

On the first Sunday of every month we gather for our united service held at Balsham Church and during the service children and adults have the opportunity to continue exploring faith and the bible in the church hall. They then return in time to receive communion.

At West Wratting Café Church on the second Sunday of each month always begins with a child-friendly talk.  After this an invited speaker will give a talk to adults – and any children who wish to remain - in one part of the church, whilst children-friendly activities are led in another part of the church.

The Hildersham Café Church on the third Sunday of each month is an intentional all-age gathering where we engage with faith and scripture in a creative, informal way, including discussion and both ancient and contemporary hymns.  Children always play an important part in the readings, discussions and reflections.

The Abington Breakfast Church on the fourth Sunday of every month is also an all-age gathering where, after a shared breakfast, we listen to a story, engage with prayers stations and crafts, and share in a time of prayer and reflection.  There is also a creche available at this service.

Each month there is a Children’s Church Council, which usually meets in Hildersham or Abington.  The CCC reflects on faith, the bible and contemporary life, help to plan themes and activities for Sunday services and enjoys discussion, crafts and sometime nibbles and drinks!

Our children’s provision is led by members of the church community who are DBS checked.

Children

Getting Connected


Church Groups

We believe that home groups can play a vital role helping churches and discipleship to flourish.  These groups usually meet in someone’s home for study, discussion, prayer and fellowship. We have many different home groups within the Granta Vale Churches, ranging from bible study groups to theological reflection gatherings to prayer groups.  If you would like to know anymore about any of these groups, please do contact either Iain or Jeanine for more information.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the Granta Vale Churches you can learn more about how on out Get Involved page. 

Get in touch with us to plan your visit
If you would like to get in touch with us before your first visit. Get in touch and we will contact you and answer any questions you have.
 
Name:
Telephone:
Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.
 

Leadership 

IM   No Photo icon
Rev Iain McColl - Minister in Charge   Rev Kathy - Minister
Rev Iain has been the minister in charge of the Granta Vale Churches since 2018. Before he was a minister in the Church of England he was a corporate and commercial solicitor in London and Bristol. He enjoys football, cycling and swimming, loves theology and history and spending time with his wife and children.   Leader Intro
 
We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at Granta Vale Churches.

Best Wishes

iain