We believe that everyone should have the chance to explore the Christian faith, ask questions and share their point of view – wherever they are in the world.

What is Alpha?

Alpha is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith, which City Gate Church are running at The Dip from Monday 17th September – Monday 19th November, 8.00-9.45pm.

Each talk looks at a different question around faith and is designed to create conversation. Alpha is run all around the globe, and everyone is welcome.  No two Alphas look the same, but generally they have three key things in common: food/refreshments, a talk and good conversation.

First up there’s

Food/Refreshments

Whether it’s a group of friends gathered around a kitchen table, or a quick catch up over coffee and cake, food has a way of bringing people together, building community and getting to know each other.. It’s no different at Alpha. Our sessions will start with tea, coffee, cake & biscuits!

Then a

Talk

The talks are designed to engage and inspire conversation. Usually around 20-30 minutes long, they will be given as a live talk. They explore the big issues around faith and unpack the basics of Christianity, addressing questions from Who is Jesus? and How can we have faith? to Why and how do I pray? and How does God guide us?

Followed by

Discussion

Probably the most important part of any Alpha: the chance to share thoughts and ideas on the topic, and simply discuss it in a small group. There’s no obligation to say anything and there’s nothing you can’t say (seriously). It’s an opportunity to hear from others and contribute your own perspective in an honest, friendly and open environment.

Please get in touch if you would like any further information or let us know if you’re planning on coming, by emailing office@nullcitygatechurch.org.uk

We hope to see you there! 🙂

Certificates are ready, bags are packed and the Fundelaship team are on their way to South Africa to support our partner, Phila Ubomi, with training in community support for HIV and AIDS.

The team will be delivering Living Well with HIV courses in two locations Hluleka and Mamolweni.

City Gate are praying for you!

On Saturday 23rd June we had our first OASIS of the year! The sun shone, street diner gave a delicious array of food and people came together to enjoy face painting, drumming, movement, spiritual readings and community art!

Many people were impacted by Jesus and it was great to hear people asking what it was we were doing. One lady said she felt the peace of God when the chimes were playing and she’d never experienced anything quite like it before.

Our next OASIS is Saturday 8th September, 11am-4pm in Brighthelm Gardens.
We look forward to seeing you there!

On Saturday, we had a special and moving time of worship together at …Stepping Beyond with friends, Tim & Ann O’Hare as we continued to explore worshiping our God with creativity, music rhythm, colour, movement and art.

Thinking about the change of seasons with the sudden increase in temperature and warm sunshine this week, we had a time of focus on how God takes us through the journey of life in seasons.

No matter which season you are in right now, God is with you.

Our next …Stepping Beyond is Saturday 14th July, 7.00-9.30pm

We look forward to seeing you there!

A big thank you to Patrick and helpers for organising another year of fun Easter activities re-enacting the Easter story.  Here are a couple of highlights from Easter week!

Palm Sunday – Cycling from the Rose Garden at Preston Park to Brighthelm

Celebrating Passover

Maunday Thursday at Hollingbury Fort… focusing on Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane and the arrest of Jesus.

Good Friday at Preston Park Manor Secret Garden (Peter denies Jesus; Jesus on trial and the crucifixion)

Easter Sunday at Brighthelm (He is risen!)

This Sunday 25^th March is Palm Sunday.  Cyclists to meet at the Rose Garden in Preston Park at 10.50am.  We look forward to welcoming you with the waving of branches when you arrive at Brighthelm (please bring any foliage you have if you are not cycling)

They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!”

John 12:13

We will also be celebrating Passover together this Sunday.

“The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. Exodus

“As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” Matthew 26:2

Having rhythms and seasons can help us; this is why for some, engaging with Lent can be purposeful and provide a time of discipline, particularly in the area of fasting.  Ultimately, it will only heighten our anticipation of Easter, and the death and glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus.

City Gaters have been sharing ways to mark the season of Lent, and how we can get involved.  Here are some ideas that we have been speaking about for 2018!

1. Plastic-less Lent 2018

Would you like to find a way to reduce the amount of plastic in your life? Then join Ruth Valerio and a whole lot of other people in doing a Plastic-Less Lent this year.

2. ‘40 Acts’ from Stewardship is always good!

The challenge begins TODAY! Go to – https://www.stewardship.org.uk/

3. Eschew grumbling and embrace positivity!

One of our church members shared that “The Archers characters are being encouraged to eschew grumbling and embrace positivity for Lent!”

In response to this, you might like to look at Steve Backlund’s ‘Negativity Fast + Positivity Feast’

To find out more and sign up for daily encouragements, go to: http://ignitinghope.com/negativityfast/

4. Forty Days – Forty Items: an idea that sprung up on Facebook this week!

Try adding other items from around the house to make up your 40!

If you have started any other activities for lent, please let us know about them by emailing office@nullcitygatechurch.org.uk

ASH WEDNESDAY

Here is a poem by Walter Brueggemann  ‘Marked by Ashes’ that will lead you into today… Ash Wednesday.

Marked by Ashes

Ruler of the Night, Guarantor of the day…

This day — a gift from you.

This day — like none other you have ever given, or we have ever received.

This Wednesday dazzles us with gift and newness and possibility.

This Wednesday burdens us with the tasks of the day, for we are already halfway home

     halfway back to committees and memos,

     halfway back to calls and appointments,

     halfway on to next Sunday,

     halfway back, half frazzled, half expectant,

     half turned toward you, half rather not.

This Wednesday is a long way from Ash Wednesday,

   but all our Wednesdays are marked by ashes —

     we begin this day with that taste of ash in our mouth:

       of failed hope and broken promises,

       of forgotten children and frightened women,

     we ourselves are ashes to ashes, dust to dust;

     we can taste our mortality as we roll the ash around on our tongues.

We are able to ponder our ashness with

   some confidence, only because our every Wednesday of ashes

   anticipates your Easter victory over that dry, flaky taste of death.

On this Wednesday, we submit our ashen way to you —

   you Easter parade of newness.

   Before the sun sets, take our Wednesday and Easter us,

     Easter us to joy and energy and courage and freedom;

     Easter us that we may be fearless for your truth.

   Come here and Easter our Wednesday with

     mercy and justice and peace and generosity.

We pray as we wait for the Risen One who comes soon.

By Walter Brueggemann

On the first Sunday of every month we open our doors at Brighthelm Community Centre and welcome people to join us for hot nutritious food! Between 1.30-3.30pm, a team of volunteers serve in our very low cost cafe, which is overseen by City Gate Church.

This month, the team served 70 meals, which included a delicious sausage casserole, jacket potato, cheese and red cabbage! There was also a variety of home made cakes available.

Everyone is welcome… for £1 you can get unlimited hot drinks, a hot main meal and a dessert.  Sandwiches are also sold separately for 30p.

Our next Drop-In cafe is on Sunday 4th March, 1.30-3.30pm.

We’re always looking for volunteers, so if you would like to help in future please get in touch with the City Gate Church office.

On Sunday we celebrated the coming of Christ with Christmas carols, poetry, story telling and thoughts on HOPE.  It was lovely to see so many visitors and family members!  Thank you all for coming and joining us this year, and for generously giving to the work of Tearfund.

City Gate Church would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Last Saturday we had a fabulous evening of worship at …Stepping Beyond! with friends Tim & Ann O’Hare, City Gaters, visitors and Movement in Worship Collective! Here are some photos from the evening…

Our next …Stepping Beyond Worship night is on November 18th, 7.00-9.30pm at Brighthelm Community Centre, North Road, Brighton, BN1 1YD

Come and join us, ready to worship – everyone is welcome!