What is NightChurch?
NightChurch is hosted by Christians from a wide variety of churches in the Chester area.
Sacred Space
We answer the need for a place that says ‘you’re safe here’ and that speaks, somehow, of the life of God. In NIghtChurch, all are welcome. We gather with no agenda other than to be sensitive to the voice of God.
…where everyone
Night Church is for everyone. Many people on a night out will visit us, along with those who work and live in the city centre. We meet the homeless, business-people, the poor, the wealthy, the vulnerable, the weak, the strong, revellers, addicts, stag/hen parties. There are those who we see once and probably never again, and those who return and begin to belong.
…is welcome
Night Church serves a practical need, in providing safety and shelter. Yet so do many other places – this doesn’t make it remotely unique. Rather, it provides a place which, without passing judgement, stands in stark contrast to the general ethos of noise, instability and superficiality prevalent (but by no means universal!) within the city’s night-culture. It provides a place for people to grieve, to laugh, to ask questions, to re-discover a language to speak of things hitherto hidden deep below the surface.
Our values and beliefs
We are Christians from a wide variety of Churches in the Chester area. We come together to see God’s presence in the City Centre at night, serving and supporting those working in and enjoying the night time economy.
What we believe
We are held together by our common faith expressed through 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.
Our values
Night Church has as its foundation this common faith and it is then expressed through core values that shape our way of being (or living): our thinking, our words and our actions.
Embracing a Deep Spirituality
We believe that our Christian witness is as much to do with who we are in God as it is with what we do. We seek to be people of prayer, peace, healing and reconciliation and to share this with others. We seek the presence of God first and foremost: God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Creating Safe Spaces
We look for opportunities to help others feel secure, valued, and listened to; a place where they can begin to find themselves and a sense of purpose.
Called to Simplicity
Our dependence in all things is on God and we seek not to over-complicate what we do. It’s God’s mission, – we just ‘put the kettle on’ and see what he does.
Committed to Inclusion
In keeping with our understanding of God’s generous love for all people, that God is in all things and all people, everyone is welcome and accepted in Night Church. We have a deep compassion for those who feel excluded and recognise that some people feel excluded by the Church.
Living with the Questions
We do not try to persuade people what to believe or provide easy answers to difficult questions. We seek to have humility and honesty when dealing with the complex questions of life and faith. We seek to live with the vulnerability that not knowing the answers brings.
Dedicated to Transformation
As a community of Christians we are committed to social justice, equality, and freedom. We have a heart to see change for people, particularly: the vulnerable, the poor and oppressed, the grieving and the marginalised. We seek to bring practical help, community connections and spiritual hope.
Working for Peace
We believe that the Christian message is one of peace: for individuals, relationships and communities. We seek to be used by God as channels of His peace.
Celebrating Unity in Diversity
We are from a broad spectrum of Christian traditions; we celebrate this diversity and the wonderful creativity it brings in people. We value our unity and so we seek to be respectful and to listen to the views of others without passing judgement. In living out these values we seek to be a place of hospitality to all.
