Later in the year we will be marking another event in the life of St David’s Church as we give thanks for the 75th anniversary of the church. In the 1930’s the land to build a Church and Vicarage was donated by Lord Salisbury.
The building of St. David’s was a remarkable thing to occur, because given the time when it was built, it is a wonder that it was ever completed. Later in the year we will be giving thanks for the 75th anniversary of the church which was completed in 1940, and it’s worth remembering something about that. It is believed that St David’s Church was the only church, in the Diocese of Liverpool to have been built in the Second World War. Think for a moment what an incredible act of faith that required in the people responsible for making that decision. Europe had been overwhelmed by an unspeakable evil; the nation’s very existence was in doubt; members of the Armed Forces were going into a theatre of war, from which they were uncertain if they would ever return. But this church was built, at a time of national crisis and international uncertainty. It was a great act of faith in the future, and in the one in whom all our hopes and prayers are vested and who in the constant flux of change, remains unchangeable.
Whilst it is nice to have a history, we at St. David’s know that, if we are to meet the challenges of the 21st Century then we have to move forward. With this in mind the congregation are looking deeply into how we function.
We want to listen to the local community as to how we can best serve you, already we have the Friday Cafe which many residents attend and also Messy Church aimed at ‘family’, to name but a few things that we are doing to be a more integral part of the local community.
The model of a church that many readers may have known in the past is changing. Facing the challenges of 21st Century life is very different to that faced by those who built the church and houses in much of the parish. The differing demands on us, as well as for instance financial demands can lead to the ‘juggling ‘of how we spend time with both family and friends.
In the past, church has been a place of meeting for communities as well as a place for baptisms, weddings and funerals. The church registers of weddings and baptisms show a rich picture of the community of St David’s Parish.
With the diversity of life today, changes have needed to have been made, undoubtedly many of us would probably admit that we find change challenging and indeed may even want to resist it.
But where is the focal centre of the local community? Unlike many other areas of Liverpool we do not have a purpose built community centre and with the demise of many pubs there seems to be a lack of facilities for a meeting place.
In a recent sermon, Rev Robert Williams, said.
“…that ministry and mission will change and develop from what it is now, is not in doubt, it will continue to change and develop to meet the needs of the people and communities it serves and to make Christ known to those who as yet don’t know him.”
You have received ‘The Messenger’ as you live in the locality of the church. We are asking for your points of view not only on how these buildings can best serve today’s local community but on what sort of activities could be of benefit.
People in this geographical area, were pioneers when they had the vision and fortitude to build St David’s church as a Christian focal point within what was a much smaller community.
I wonder what would be your dream for this area?
Please do think about our community and what is needed. Come along on a Tuesday evening between 6pm and 7pm to the Gladstone Hall and share your ideas and thoughts with one of the clergy.
I encourage you to think of ways that we could capture that ideal again of being community.
There is no doubt that ‘on our own we can’t – together we can’.
(This article by Rev’d Sally Mason was originally published as part of St David’s Messenger in June 2015)