forwardinfaith.com		 St Luke the Evangelist, Gillingham
A FORWARD IN FAITH PARISH



Welcome!


 

Welcome to St. Luke's Church, Gillingham, a large red-brick Edwardian church in a typical backstreet parish, home to a small and friendly congregation trying its best to be the Body of Christ in this part of the Medway Towns. Our people are from all walks of life, and of all ages - children and young people (and any students who might prefer a more traditional form of worship) are especially welcome, and are encouraged to take an active part in the services.  There's usually about 25-35 of us in church on a 'normal' Sunday morning (with a few more on major Festivals), so there's always plenty of room for visitors and newcomers.  Our parish extends from Corporation Road in the east to Mill Road in the west, and from the north side of Saunders Street to the riverside (including the new Liberty Quays and Victory Pier developments!), so if you live in this area, we are your local Anglican parish church.

St. Luke's celebrates and preaches the Incarnation. Jesus Christ is Emmanuel - 'God with us', and it is this faith in Christ, God made man, crucified, risen, and alive today, that lies at the heart of our parish life.

An historic faith, but one which is informed by a twenty-first century world view.

St. Luke's is firmly rooted in the Catholic tradition of the Church of England and has been since the parish was formed over 100 years ago.  In more recent years, Resolutions A, B and C have been passed and we are under alternative episcopal oversight, but we are committed to being an integral part of the Church of England, and to maintaining its work and witness in our parish, and are glad to have the active support of our Diocesan Bishop, James.

We are animated, nourished and sustained by the sacraments, the scriptures, and the living traditions of the church in prayer and the liturgy.  From our limited resources (in human terms) we try to help meet the changing needs of the people in this area.  You don't have to be a member of our church to get our attention - we have always been here for you and for the community.  Our ministry extends beyond our members, both in happy times (christenings and weddings) and in difficult times (illness or death).  Call on us if we can be of any help to you!

Please pray for us and for our parish - parts of which are among the poorest and most socially-deprived areas of the Medway Towns - that we may continue to testify to the power and love of the Risen Christ, both in our lives as individuals and in our corporate life as a community of faith.

Baptisms

Holy Baptism (or christening) is the way we become members of the Christian family, the Church - there are other ways in which this can happen, but this is the formal way, given to us by Jesus himself. It is a Sacrament, a visible sign (the pouring on us of water) given us by Jesus with the words by which God gives us his grace, or power:  'I baptise you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.'

At the baptism of the young, parents and godparents promise that they will bring up the child as a Christian.  Each child requires three godparents, who must have been themselves baptised (though not necessarily in the Church of England!).  By custom, two should be of the same sex as the child, and the child's parents themselves can also act as godparents if necessary.

If you would like your child's baptism to take place at St. Luke's, we suggest you come to our 1030am Sunday service to meet Father Paul and the congregation, and see what our worship is like.  We often have babies and young children in our church, so please bring them along - they will be very welcome.  If you can't come to that service, call in at the Church any Saturday morning between 10am and 12 noon, or else give Father Paul a ring on 01634 576197.

Baptism can be held during the 1030am Sunday Mass, or else as a separate service at 12 noon on a Sunday (when there are usually some of the regulars around to help welcome you!).