Camaraderie is still strong after 50 years – News

MEMBERS of Barnard Castle’s Christian Fellowship offered shoppers more than just a friendly chat and a biscuit when they took over a stall in the market last week.

They offered the opportunity to join them at their weekly meetings.

Denise Dent, a member for 48 years, said: “We’ve been here for 50 years but a lot of people don’t know we’re still here or what we do and that’s why we decided to try . and raise awareness by organizing a market stand.

The Fellowship, founded 50 years ago by Pastors Lewis and Ruth Staley, has had many homes. It began with services at Bluestone Farm before securing premises at Commercial Yard, but moved to the United Reformed Church, in Hall Street, before its closure. Services now take place every Sunday evening at 6pm at St Mary’s Parish Hall, Newgate, with midweek prayer in the hall’s Guild Hall at 7.30pm.

Ms Dent added: “We still have around 20 members and we meet every week. We have speakers and pastors coming.

During the pandemic, when lockdown restrictions prohibited groups of six or more people from meeting, the Fellowship embraced modern technology by hosting services on Zoom.

Ms Dent said: “It kept our church going and it was thanks to Pastor Adam (Staley) and his wife Sue and especially their children Briony and Johnny, who had the expertise in technology . »

Ms Staley added: “A lot of people don’t know who we are and it was Denise and John’s idea to run a stall to raise awareness of the church and let more people know we are here .

“We are a non-denominational, independent evangelical church.

“We support many missionaries abroad and children’s homes abroad. »

She added: “We are just regular people providing a place where people can come as they are and learn more about God.

“Many people today worry about their physical and mental health, but do not care about their spiritual health. If they got it right, then the other two fall into place.

For more information about the church, visit www. bccf.co.uk