Urban Expression Annual Report 2007

In May Urban Expression celebrated its tenth anniversary with a gathering for team members, friends and supporters in East London – an opportunity to reflect on the past decade and commit ourselves afresh to the continuing task of urban church planting. At this event we also launched Church Planting in the Inner City by Juliet Kilpin & Stuart Murray, which tells the story of the past ten years and sets this in the context of urban mission and church planting in Britain. And we presented Urban Expression’s new logo and image – re-branding after ten years.

Significant developments during 2007 have been:

• The three emerging churches in Shadwell, Stepney and Wapping exploring closer links and ultimately union.
• The award of ‘Best Adventure Playground in London’ to a community group in Shadwell linked with Cable Street Community Church.
• The development of the Geoff Ashcroft Community project in Wapping, which focuses on families and children and those with mental health issues.
• The withdrawal of Urban Expression from our work in Kidbrooke due to changes in the demographics of the community.
• The formation of a second team in Manchester, led by Ian & Rachel Spence, based in the Levenshulme area.
• The decision to start a third initiative in Manchester in the Victoria Park area (as from Summer 2008).
• The formation of a steering group in Manchester to oversee the growing work there.
• The selection of Possilpark for the location of the first team in Glasgow and the gradual emergence of team members for this.
• The appointment of Jim & Juliet Kilpin as coordinators of Urban Expression, funded by a grant from the Baptist Union.
• The development of ‘Praying our Values’, a daily liturgy based on our values, available on the website and as a booklet for team members.
• Growing links with a number of urban mission orders and discussion about the possibility of Urban Expression becoming a mission order.
• Clarification and development of various processes to ensure that we care well for those who join and leave Urban Expression.
• The first teams’ day for team members from London, Manchester and Glasgow.
• Running the Crucible course in Birmingham for the second time.
• The emergence of Urban Expression Netherlands as a partner organisation.
• Securing funding from The Jerusalem Trust for Rural Expression and the gradual development of this new initiative.
• Continuing growth in the Associates’ network and another successful Associates’ Day.