The theme of the Open Weekend on 2-4 October, when St Stephen’s Church, Selly Park, Birmingham re-opened their doors after a rebuilding programme lasting 15 months, was summed up in the opening statement: ‘We want to serve our community with the good news of Jesus Christ for generations to come. We now have a building… to help us do that better.’
A drinks reception on the Friday night and a coffee morning and afternoon tea on the Saturday, together attracted 250–300 people. Sunday saw a full church with over 200 hearing from John 3.16; in the evening there were around 60 there and the theme was ‘The power of God’ (Romans 1:16).
Answered prayer
The project, which took ten years from conception to completion, at a cost of £1.8 million, almost all of which has been given by the congregation, comprises a re-ordered church building, a two-storey Parish Centre with meeting rooms and offices and a large foyer. Along the way, God has answered some significant prayers.
