The team behind a new community church venture in Sidmouth has held a ‘kick-off meeting’ at Kennaway House.

The Community Church in Honiton, which is well known for its work in the community with Honiton’s food and furniture banks, has outgrown its current venue at the Beehive in Honiton and has decided to spread its wings and start new sites across East Devon.

Church team leader, Adrian Birks, said: “We currently gather people from a wide area, including the Sid Valley, and so it makes a lot of sense for us to set up a new Community Church site in Sidmouth.”

The group had a day of ‘vision, teambuilding, prayer and cake’ at Kennaway.

They invited church members who want to get involved in the Sidmouth project to join them.

The Community Church, Sidmouth, will launch on Sunday September 30, and meet on Sundays at Sidmouth College at 10am.

It is a non-denominational church, which leaders say is characterised by a warm welcome, informal and lively worship, bible teaching, and children’s work.

It is part of the New Frontiers group of churches and a member of the Evangelical Alliance.

“With a number of churches already in Sidmouth, we’ve been very conscious of the need to be courteous neighbours, sharing our plans with Sidmouth church leaders at a very early stage,” Adrian said.

“They in turn have been very welcoming and we look forward to serving Sidmouth together, looking for opportunities to work in partnership in social action and in sharing the good news of Jesus.”

The team spent the morning worshiping together, as well as praying for Sidmouth and seeking encouragement for the task ahead.

After a team photo and cake, the team moved to the beach for lunch and team building games on what turned out to be a gorgeous summer day.

They then travelled up the Byes to Sidmouth College for a first look at the hall where the church will meet.

Site team leader, Nick Gimson, said: “The college has been really supportive and helpful ever since we approached them to rent their facilities, and we’re really looking forward to meeting there.”

For more information please contact the church office on 01404 43800 or office@tcch.org.uk