PIZZA AND PUDDINGS
Moving to Southampton this September for uni? The fun starts right on your first weekend in Southampton (second weekend for Solent students).
Join us for free Pizza and Puddings at our Burgess Road Library venue (right opposite Highfield Campus) on Sunday 22nd September at 7.30pm. That's straight after our Six O'Clock evening gathering. There'll be piles of pizza and tonnes of tasty puddings - not to mention the chance to meet dozens of other freshers like you who want to put God first, and engage with second and third years too.
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR STUDENT YEARS
90 weeks. Give or take. That's your lot. It's how long a typical university student will spend here in Southampton, once you take holidays out of the picture. 90 weeks. And we at Christ Church are determined to make every one of them count for you.
Your uni years are a fantastic opportunity to grow as a Christian and we at Christ Church are serious about helping you to do just that. By the time you graduate, we want you to leave with your faith deepened, your mind stretched and your Christian character more firmly established. More than that, we want you to leave trained and equipped for a lifetime of serving Jesus, whatever that may look like for you.
You'll notice we put a high value on clear, contemporary and challenging Bible-teaching. And that we prioritise evangelism and training. These things are part of our DNA at Christ Church, and we work hard at them.
Students who call Christ Church home often value a number of things about us...
SUNDAY GATHERINGS
It's all too easy to remain within the confines of the student 'bubble' - even in a local church. Of course, it's tempting to keep surrounding yourself with people just like you. But then you'd miss out on the experience of being part of a real, mixed, supportive spiritual family.
So at Christ Church we encourage students to get along to at least one Sunday gathering - as well as Student Connect. In the morning, we meet together as a church family every Sunday morning, at Cantell School near to Glen Eyre Halls and only 15-20 minutes walk from Wessex. Alternatively, you could join us at ‘The Six O’Clock’, an evening gathering at the Burgess Road Library (right opposite the main Highfield campus of Southampton Uni). It's 9.30 & 11.15am during student term.
Some of our students take the opportunity to help out from time to time with the music, the tech team, the morning crèche, the coffee-serving or the welcoming - there's always plenty to do - but it's quite alright just to be there.
At both gatherings, there's good, contemporary music and heartfelt prayer. But the centrepiece is always the Bible talk. This is when we hear God's word unfolded for us. We aim to be faithful to what God is saying, clear and contemporary in the way we present it, and both encouraging and challenging in the way it's applied.
Why not stick around after the 11.15 gathering on 29 September, 6 October and 13 October for a free student lunch for all 1st-3rd years.
STUDENT CONNECT
Student Connect is just for students. It takes place at 7.30pm each Sunday during term time at the Burgess Road Library, Burgess Road, SO16 3HF.
We kick off with a good meal together, then after a short talk on an area of Christian understanding, we get into small groups for Bible study and prayer. We finish at around 9.30pm - though people tend to stay around chatting for quite a while afterwards, or else head off for a Scoops ice cream.
New to studying the Bible? Want to brush up on the basics of the Christian faith? Ask to join the Foundations group. Same time. Same place. Same food. Just a group that's a better fit for where you're at.
ONE-TO-ONE
Many of our students find it helpful to meet up with an older Christian on an informal but regular basis for prayer, Bible study and encouragement.
We're all for this at Christ Church and will do our best to partner you with someone we think you'll click with who's a bit further down the track in the Christian life.
One-to-ones happen in cafes, homes, on campus or wherever works for you. Usually you'll be reading a book of the Bible together, or perhaps a Christian book, but whatever you're looking at, there'll be plenty of opportunity to ask questions, explore issues and seek advice and direction.
If you're interested, have a word with Pete Bentley-Taylor or Sophie Cornes, our student pastors - or any member of the team.
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
In a busy church like ours, you'll find heaps of ways to put your God-given gifts and talents to good use, if you're up for it.
Whether it's helping with the children, joining one of the bands, making cakes or working the tech desk, you're bound to find a way to contribute to the life of the church.
For more details of how to get involved, contact James.