STOP PRESS: With the new term upon us, our Sunday Afternoon Gatherings are back.
We start by focusing on our shared vision with the primary school: exploring our ROOTS, the PATH we follow, and our WINGS
We start by focusing on our shared vision with the primary school: exploring our ROOTS, the PATH we follow, and our WINGS
Sundays (and through the week!) with Pathfinder Church
Find us gathering on Sunday Afternoons during term time, with special events during Holidays and Festivals
3.30-5pm at The Pathfinder CofE Primary School, Northstowe, CB24 1AA [map]Pathfinder Church Northstowe brings together those of all ages and stages of life for interactive Sunday worship and through-the-week links with the primary school
We are an ecumenical church (with different traditions working together), led by Revd Beth and Revd Stephen - both Church of England priests, who love to draw on the riches of the Christian traditions as they seek to equip those of all ages to grow in faith and live this out in the places where we already are - the places God is calling each of us to make a difference.
Sharing with The Pathfinder CofE Primary School
"In our growing new town, we are putting down roots as an establishing school and church. Together, we seek to journey along the path, intentionally supporting and encouraging one another, sharing the adventure. As we welcome all to our special places of teaching, learning and worship; celebrating the strengths of all within our community, of all religious and none religious beliefs; together we hope to shape our new community and give Northstowe the wings to fly." - Parish-School Covenant
Both the Church and School draw our names from two great stories. We're locally rooted in the story of the Pathfinder Squadron who flew from the former airbase where Northstowe is being built - dropping flares to show the way. And we're named for The Pathfinder, Jesus Christ - the one who's leading us on this great adventure!
Our Sunday gatherings are just one part of our identify as Pathfinder Church. We are also part of the family at The Pathfinder CofE Primary School, all through the week, sharing their commitment to explore "the roots to grow, the path to follow, and the wings to fly".
Similarly, we are:
GROWING ROOTS
We are rooted in the stories of our lives and the people and places that matter to us; in God’s story; in how these stories interweave; in the ancient belief in God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit; and in a sense of belonging to the world-wide family of the church
FOLLOWING A PATH
We believe that, in Jesus, God has walked this earth before us, and that with Jesus as our companion and guide we can travel through life differently
LEARNING TO FLY
We believe that God’s Spirit uses us to make a different in the world. We’ll make mistakes along the way, but God will give us the strength and hope to keep going
Partnership in action
Through our Growing Faith project, we are working in partnership to develop "rooted" indoor and outdoor reflection spaces, and explore opportunities to deepen the overlaps for lived-out-faith across church, school and home. Revd Stephen spends two days a week serving whole school community offering chaplaincy. Some of the church serve as governors, some on Friends of Pathfinder School, and others commit to pray for the staff and pupils. Talk to us to find out more!Visit the events page to see what's happening across the whole Northstowe Church Network.
Here are some highlights for those who find their main home in Pathfinder Church:
Find us 3.30-5pm on Sunday Afternoons during term time in at The Pathfinder CofE Primary School for our regular Sunday Gatherings, or these special events. (Purple shows when we will be offsite)
- Sunday 6th October: our regular 3.30pm Sunday Gathering will conclude at 4.30pm to allow a whole network "Church Meeting 4.30-5.15pm)
- Sunday 20th October: Northstowe Church Network Ecumenical Celebration Service with Bishop, Regional Minister, & Moderator
- Sunday 10th November: Remembrance Sunday
- 10.40am Civic Remembrance by the Lake
- 3.30pm AFTERNOON TEA with Lantern Making
- Christmas events will be advertised separately - watch this space
- Sunday 29th December: NO NORTHSTOWE GATHERING (why not visit one of our sister churches?)
last updated 17th August 2024
What to expect at our Term Time Sunday Gatherings
We're not following a blue print for "how to plant a church". We're pioneering... praying, exploring, and sharing together as we respond to what God's doing in this place. So our worship style is emerging in response to the gifts each person brings, with deep roots into the various Christian traditions. So come as you are, walk with us for a while... experience church - but perhaps not as you know it!
Regular Sunday Gatherings
(3.30-5pm, Pathfinder School Hall during Term)
Most Sundays, we gather around tables in the school hall. We are deliberately intergenerational - we find that our worship and discovery is enriched through adults, children, and those at all ages and stages of life praying, exploring, and sharing together.As people arrive at 3.30pm, they help themselves to refreshments (available throughout), find a table, perhaps start a colouring... and join in with a conversation or activity on the theme of the day. Each table has a box of resources - feel free to use the playdoh, journal papers, post-it notes, whiteboards and bibles throughout. We often share family news during this slot.
At 3.40pm, we greet each other (often using sign-supported English), light candles, and refocus ourselves on God-amongst us.
Our Exploration may include dramatic readings from the Bible (we love to use THE VOICE bible translation alongside the NRSV, reminding us that whenever we read the Bible we read it in translation.) There may also be contemporary input (perhaps through music, poetry, or video). These usually lead to free-flow exploration of various interactive stations. Families often visit these stations together, or children and adults from different households might find themselves working together. Some people may choose to sit in quiet reflections. Others may read some of the books, commentaries, and articles that we share. We make a point of sharing resources from a wide range of Christian traditions - we won't all agree with all that we read!
Afterwards, we gather back to share what we've been noticing. No one is required to speak, but we love hearing from those who want to share. These reflections then inspire our subsequent prayers and worship. On Holy Communion weeks, we will weave our Explorations into our Offering as we prepare to share in bread and wine: and encounter God around the Table.
Finally, just before 5pm, we share in a blessing for the week ahead. Everyone helps pack down the Table Boxes and put away the tables and chairs, while the team clear up the Stations and Hospitality.
Finally, just before 5pm, we share in a blessing for the week ahead. Everyone helps pack down the Table Boxes and put away the tables and chairs, while the team clear up the Stations and Hospitality.
Would you like to get involved in the hosptiality, setup, or packdown team? Have a word with Beth, Stephen, or Will...
How we share Holy Communion within Sunday Gatherings
We come from many different Christians traditions - and many of us our completely new to faith! So sharing in communion is both beautiful... and a little messy as we seek to honour each other well! We ask that all those taking part do so in line with their own position and heritage. For those new to all this, we encourage you to talk this over with us, and we love to offer blessings to everyone!
Afternoon Tea
half termly, in place of a regular Gathering - see Dates
3.30-5pm in the School Hall
Every half term, Pathfinder Church Northstowe host at afternoon tea that not only brings together those from across the Northstowe Church Network (those involved in Little Explorers, Compline, etc) but also our friends, neighbours, and those involved in other community groups. It is a joy to see those of all religious and non religious backgrounds simply spending time together. Often, we'll serve a seasonal treat - pancakes, hot cross buns - or scones and cakes.For many, this is simply a time to "hang out" and be. The tables have board games and colouring. The baby and toddler area is set up. And news is shared on the rolling screen.
Around the room, there will also be various activity and reflection stations. Some of these might be Prayer Stations or Exploration Stations from the recent Sunday Gathering series, or linked to an upcoming festival. Others will simply be for fun.
We always set up a "side chapel" as a quiet place where anyone can pause and reflect. And we oftne offer a simple poetic spoken communion service as an option, while other activities continue.
One of the main features of the Afternoon Teas, however, are the workshops. We're looking forward to another Afternoon Tea with Northstowe Arts running a Lantern Making workshop, ready to Light Up Northstowe this winter
Festivals
Festivals - with the whole Northstowe Church Network
We love to draw on the richness of tradition as well as the emerging patterns of our new town as we celebrate the big Christian festivals together.Our special Advent and Christmas events included Beer and Carols, Campfire compline on Longest Night, a Scratch Nativity, Midnight Campfire Communion, and a Christmas morning Breakfast.
Back in the Spring, Holy Week and Easter together. Every evening, we paused to pray Compline (some of us in person, others joining in from home), and to read the story day-by-day. On Maundy Thursday, we shared a special communion meal, eating Jacket Potatoes as we discussed the biblical stories and traditions. On Good Friday, we hosted a hot cross bun afternoon tea, and journeyed, as if with Joseph of Arimathea, to bury the cross at the heart of the Glade. Easter Sunday dawned as we proclaimed "Alleluia, Christ is Risen" as we lit the Pascal Candle by Bug Hunters Waters, before sharing bacon. And then our musicians led us in singing "Thine Be The Glory" as part of our intergenerational Easter Communion.
Part of the Family at The Pathfinder Church of England Primary School
We've a wonderful relationship linking the church and school. Pictured here are Revd Beth, Revd Stephen, Bishop Dagmar, head teacher Claire Eskelson, and some of last year's Worship Gang - a rolling group of year 5/6 children who help plan and deliver collective worship, sensitive to the range of religious and non-religious beliefs across the school community.
Pathfinder Church also support the school community at various key points in the term - such as bringing along the Deckchair Listening Project and offering First Day Coffee and Chat, or providing breakfast and a reflective start to the term for staff on their inset day.
From our church family...
“I find I’m talking to people at work about what we did on Sundays, thinking through different aspects as the week progresses. The focus of meetings is not on limitations - what we can’t, or shouldn’t, do - but on how knowing Jesus is the best, most liberating, gift the world offers. And at Pathfinder I feel like I’m being equipped and trusted to develop this relationship with Jesus myself.”
“Pathfinder is a beautiful community, in which there is space to explore our faith in exciting ways.
A great church for our young family!!”
A great church for our young family!!”
“Being part of a church community that is multidenominational is a blessing and how Jesus would have wanted us to approach our faith and the community. It's hard to come by a church that makes everyone feel so welcome with no level of judgement and a constant link and connection to the local community and other churches in the area. ”
Pathfinder Church Northstowe and the Northstowe Church Network are committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Safeguarding Officer. The Diocese of Ely’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our SO. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.
