Well, Well, Well

Dear Church Family

Well, Well, Well…

The Bible is full of them… why? Because without wells, life would be almost impossible in many places (we are talking about the Middle East after all) For those who haven't been around much, we are changing our name to New Wells Church Family and the launch for this new chapter in the life of our church family, including the congregations at Brabourne and Willesborough, is on 5th October where we will be stepping into this new identity together. Please mark the date in your diary!

Why New Wells? Because God spoke to us in 2021 as we launched our vision through several leaders all bringing the passage of scripture from Genesis 26 where Isaac reopens the wells that have been blocked during the time of his father, and his servants go on to dig new wells. When we realised the need for a new name that was not geographically focussed and that would reflect who we are as multiple congregations but one church family, God reminded us of this passage and this name was chosen (given to us by God). In the run up to the New Wells launch we are going to be exploring significant events in the Bible that take place around wells in our Sunday morning teaching.
There are several reasons in the Bible that Wells are significant…

1. They are sources of life. They make the land habitable; they cause everything to grow and flourish. Without wells, it is hard for anything to survive.
2. They are centres of community. The well was a place people would meet and gather as they drew water and shared stories, news and life together.
3. They are places of encounter. Wells are not just a place where people encounter one another but they are also places where people encountered God (see Hagai in Genesis 16 or the Woman at the Well in John 4)
4. They symbolise renewal. In Numbers 21 the people sang "Spring up, O well" both reflecting their physical thirst and their spiritual thirst. This renewal comes through God and people working together – God supplies the water but people dig the well. We want to dig new wells in prayer, worship and sharing the good news with others.

Our nation, our region, our town needs new wells – sources of life, centres of community, places of encounter and spiritual renewal. We want to open up wells of the Spirit in Ashford and beyond – wherever God tells us to dig. Thank you for being with us on this journey, let's pray to Jesus - the One who is able to do more than we can ask or imagine according to His power at work within us - trusting in Him to lead and guide us.

With much love,

Mark

SUNDAY GATHERING - 10:30AM Join us this Sunday morning as Katie begins our Wells Through the Bible series.
It will also be Matt Wardley's induction as our Children and Families Pastor.
For those who are unable to attend in person please join us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iuYehErj9cE



THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR THE LIFE OF ALISTAIR GOODBRAND
Monday 8th September ⌚ 10:00am @WBC

On behalf of Bebelyn and Alistair's wider family, you are invited to a Thanksgiving service in loving memory and celebration of the life of Alistair Goodbrand, a long standing member of our church family, who passed away on Friday 1st August.

We believe in giving thanks to God for a life well lived and the many ways that Alistair was a blessing to all who knew him.  This service will be a time of worship, reflection and remembrance, giving glory to God for Alistair's life, legacy and faith.  There will be opportunity in the service for anyone who would like to say a few words in memory of Alistair.

Please feel free to share this invitation with anyone who knew Alistair and may wish to attend.

VISION LUNCH - Sunday 14th September ⌚ After the service, approx. 1pm in The main worship space.
If you are new to our church family, relatively new or if you have been coming a while but you are not yet a member, this lunch is for you! Stay after the service to share a meal together and connect with others, hear more about the vision of the church, what membership is all about and opportunities to get involved, all in an informal setting where you can ask any question you might have. Please sign up on ChurchSuite - there is a limit on spaces so sign up to avoid disappointment! Sign up via this link: Vision Lunch (14-Sep-2025) · (If you have any dietary requirements can you write them in the notes section).



ALPHA  - Monday 22nd September ⌚ 6:15pm in Sevington
NEW Alpha starting 22nd September!  Do you have questions about faith and the Holy Spirit or being a Christian?  Come to our Alpha course where questions are the name of the game!  The course lasts 11 weeks plus one Saturday and is a safe place to ask all those questions, get answers, learn together and also share a home cooked meal.  Each evening starts at 6:15pm with a meal at 6:30pm and lasts until approx. 9pm every Monday.  Location: Sevington.
Please drop an email to the office if you would like to join us or contact Sonya Perks or Paula Verlinden by 18th September.


REVERB - Tuesday 23rd September and every fourth Tuesday⌚ 1:30pm @ Brabourne Baptist Church
We will be starting a mid-week, daytime service every fourth Tuesday each  month from 1:30pm at Brabourne.  The first one will be Tuesday 23rd September. This is a shout out to everyone who would like to be involved in making this happen.  We need hospitality volunteers and those who would like to lead worship or be part of the worship team playing an instrument and / or vocals.  If you would like to be part of the team, please contact Paula Chegwin on email: paula@willesboroughbaptist.church.  Be part of making this happen!



BAPTISM COURSE If you are interested in getting baptised or are curious to see what it is all about about - this course is for you! The course is 3 sessions and they are all on zoom. If you are interested speak to Mark or email him at mark@willesboroughbaptist.church





Saturday 6th September Men's Meal | 8:30am
Thursday 11th September Power Hour | 8pm
Sunday 14th September Vision Lunch | After the service (approx. 1pm)
Monday 22nd September for 11 weeks Alpha Course | 6:15pm - 9pm
Tuesday 23rd September Reverb | 1:30pm at Brabourne Baptist Church
Sunday 28th September Immerse | 7pm
Saturday 18th October Paula Chegwin Ordination | 2pm - save the date!




Sparks / Flames / Firestarters | Sunday mornings | Side Hall & The Well | Age 0-3, 3-6, 7-10
Blaze | Sunday mornings upstairs in The Well | Years 6-8
Ignite | Friday | 7-9pm | Main worship space | Years 7-13
Furnace | Mondays | 7-9pm | Moyles' manse | Years 9-13
The Well | Open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays | 9am-12pm
Crafty Cuppa | Thursdays every other week | In The Well | 2-4pm
Power Hour | Whole church prayer and worship meeting| Thursdays every other week | 8pm
Brabourne Craft Group | Fourth Thursday of the month| 10am - 1pm | Brabourne Baptist Church
Renew Wellbeing | Tuesdays in The Well | 2-4pm
Prayer | Before our Sunday service | front of church | 9:45am - all welcome!
Facebook prayers | Mon - Fri 8am | facebook.com/wbc.ashford
Early Morning Prayers | Wednesday mornings | 6:30am | Join here: www.willesboroughbaptist.church/prayer