Stepney

The second Urban Expression team began work in Stepney in September 1998. Led by Phil & Sarah Warburton, the team of seven found accommodation in the area and began to develop relationships with each other and a vision for the community. Much time in the early months was spent researching the area and slowly getting to know neighbours. East Enders and Sylhetti-speaking Bengalis are the predominant groups in the area, but there are also many people from other backgrounds. Time was spent also building links with other churches.

The team has had a strong emphasis on prayer over the past five years, conscious that their work in Stepney depended on God’s help and direction. The church is known as Open Door.

Sunday services involve meeting for a simple meal, communion and prayer. The church has grown at a slow pace over the past five years but is now are struggling to fit around the table for the shared meal (extra people not extra lbs!) Formal teaching takes place in 6 week courses that run mid-week. In addition, once a month there is a celebration with an emphasis on worship and interactive preaching. There are other opportunities to be together through the week, including a pub quiz on Tuesday nights.

Christmas saw the church’s first carol service. This was a café style event with about thirty people attending. Sarah and Phil also hosted a Halal Christmas where about 15 Muslim neighbours joined us for a meal. Some were guests for the first time.

Another possible initiative for this year is a project called ‘Helping out,’ that will seek to provide practical help to households. Open Door is in the process of researching similar projects and talking to local partners and agencies about what such a project may look like. The hope is to have something up and running before the summer.

Overall, Open Door is excited about what the God of surprises may do in 2004.

Map of Stepney :