This November, Heath Evangelical Church will mark a very special milestone—125 years of God’s faithfulness. Preparations are well underway, and we are encouraged by the enthusiasm and unity within the congregation as we look forward to celebrating together.

A United Effort

In recent weeks, the Church Council carried out a survey to gather ideas and volunteers. The response was remarkable: 51 people replied, and every planned event now has both organisers and helpers in place. God has provided abundantly, and we praise Him for a congregation eager to serve.

Two main planning meetings and a number of smaller gatherings have already taken place, resulting in initial plans for fellowship meals, exhibitions, memory-sharing events, decorations, outreach initiatives, and, of course, the main Sunday services.

Who’s Leading What

Several members have kindly taken responsibility for different parts of the weekend:

• Pastor Wyn Hughes – Sunday morning service

• Pastor Nathan Munday – Sunday afternoon service and editor of a special Olive Branch edition

• Ruth Best – Choirs on the Sunday

• Paul O’Brien – Saturday breakfast (all welcome not just men)

• Sarah Lloyd – Fellowship lunch

• Hywel Swann & Nick Davey – Exhibition of church history (with themes including missionaries, ministers, revivals, international students, and more)

• Keith Batstone & Kerry Orchard – Memory-sharing interviews

• Children’s activities – Plans in progress

• Maddy Dutkowski – Decorations

• Joel Williams – Leaflets, posters, and invitations for the community

• Alasdair Denton – Digital photo gallery

We give thanks to God for raising up leaders for each of these areas.

Collecting Memories and Materials

The exhibition will be a central feature of the anniversary. Alongside archived materials from earlier years, the team hopes to gather photos, documents, and recordings from the last 30–40 years of church life.

If you have items to contribute, please either:

• Hand them in to Ann Clee in the Church Library (Lecture Hall). She will make a record and arrange for items to be returned in due course.

• Or upload digital photos and documents at churchgallery.org.

Even if you’re not sure something is relevant, please share it—every contribution helps build the story of our church family.

Any questions about the anniversary can be directed to Hywel Swann, Ian Yang, or Alasdair Denton.

Outreach and Invitation

The anniversary is not only a time to look back with thankfulness but also to look outward with hope. Plans include invitations to the local community, leaflets with a free coffee voucher redeemable at one2two (our bookshop and café), and displays about the church’s current ministries. Some of the exhibition will remain in place after the weekend, and contact will be made with local schools to encourage visits.

Programme Highlights

• Saturday 15 November

  • Breakfast and evangelistic talk

  • Exhibition introductions

  • Memory-sharing interviews and testimonies

• Sunday 16 November

  • Morning service (Pastor Wyn Hughes)

  • Fellowship lunch

  • Afternoon service (Pastor Nathan Munday)

Full details will be shared nearer the time. However, in the meantime please book your place at our special meals - Saturday breakfast and/or Sunday lunch using https://heath-church.org/anniversary/

A Call to Prayer

As we prepare, please continue to pray:

• For revival—that the Holy Spirit’s power will be at work in every part of the events.

• For God’s glory—that Christ would be honoured and made known.

• For wisdom—for all those organising and leading.

• With thankfulness—for the unity and enthusiasm of the congregation.

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers [and sisters] dwell together in unity.”(Psalm 133:1)