The Community Church: Serving Burton With Love For The Community.
We recently had the pleasure of visiting The Community Church in Burton upon Trent, where we met with Dawn during their welcoming afternoon tea session. It was a fantastic opportunity to delve into the heart of their mission and learn more about the incredible impact they're having on our local area.
By Tom Drysdale
The Community Church was formed 30 years ago, but in the last 10 to 15 years, there's been a significant and growing sense of love for the community. This focus on active community engagement has led to exciting growth in both attendance and, crucially, their impact on the community, particularly in the last six or seven years.
A significant turning point for the church arrived with the acquisition of their current premises on Main Street. After purchasing the initial church building, it quickly became clear that even more space was needed. Their gaze then turned across the road to the former carpet shop on the corner of Main Street and Ferry Street, leading to the acquisition of that adjoining building, which once housed a betting shop. This expanded space has made a "massive difference" to their capacity for serving the community.
Previously, for about a decade, the church conducted community initiatives like free Christmas present wrapping in the town centre. While impactful, as Dawn noted, they "didn't have a presence in our own community," making the current, larger building a crucial step in establishing a rooted and more visible local presence.
“We understand that we’re in a changing world. All of the difficult subjects are about people and I think it’s really important wherever we land theologically in our beliefs, it’s really important that we hold to the understanding that these are people.”
An excellent example of their direct community support is their "Heat & Eat" session every Thursday. This provides free hot food for anyone who needs it, attracting a diverse clientele, including those struggling with addiction, many of whom might not even realise it's a church. Dawn emphasised their efforts to become better at promoting their church status and explaining "why we're doing it," always striving to "give everybody hope."
The church has proudly carried the name "Community Church" since its inception, reinforcing their commitment to serving the wider community. Dawn shared a particularly impactful initiative that shaped their direction around nine years ago: setting up a branch of Christians Against Poverty (CAP).
"That really changed us," Dawn explained. It inadvertently provided a strategy, placing them "at the front line of people who really needed help and needed our help." This program has made a tangible difference, especially given research suggesting a high percentage of people in serious debt consider suicide. Over nine years, CAP Burton has helped write off "something like one and a half million pounds worth of debts," leading to "life-changing" results for many families and individuals.
TCC: Teapots afternoon tea.
For those in debt, CAP offers a comprehensive support system. Individuals can call a national 0800 number, be connected with a local debt coach, and receive personalized assistance. CAP National then takes on the responsibility of liaising with all creditors, significantly reducing the pressure on individuals. They work to create repayment plans or, where budgets are "broken" (outgoings exceeding income), guide individuals through processes like debt relief orders or bankruptcy. To date, numerous people have gone debt-free through their help.
The church's funding model is a testament to community spirit. Everything they offer is free, relying on a combination of donations, grants, and community contributions. Dawn recounted a remarkable story about how they secured their current building: a donor provided two years' rent upfront, followed by a £9,000 grant from Children in Need for renovations. Local builders even donated and installed the kitchen, and community members have given everything from crockery to food bank donations. It's a collaborative effort, with "no one way we fund it," but "so far we're still going."
All the incredible work at The Community Church is largely powered by dedicated volunteers, who are mostly members of the church. While Dawn herself is paid part-time and they employ a community development manager for networking, virtually every project, including their long-standing new mums' group, is run by volunteers.
A particularly charming initiative that came up during my visit with Dawn was Teapots. This is a free afternoon tea session specifically for members of the community aged 18 and over. It provides a warm and welcoming space for individuals to come in, enjoy tea, coffee, and cakes, and simply connect and interact with others in a relaxed setting. It’s exactly the kind of supportive, community-focused initiative that makes The Community Church such a vital part of Burton life.
Support Throughout The Year, Even On Holidays!
The church also marks key holidays with community-focused events. On Easter Sunday, for example, they opened their doors to offer hot cross buns and Easter eggs to passers-by, inviting people in for tea and colouring. At Christmas, their "Heat & Eat" sessions transform into full Christmas dinners, providing a warm meal and fellowship for people from all walks of life. Rather than extensive separate events, they tend to "go large" on their existing initiatives.
The Community Church is a Pioneer Network church, a modern denomination that emerged from house churches in the 1970s. While not traditional in appearance – you won't find a vicar in a dog collar – they share core beliefs with most mainstream churches and work closely with many across Burton. They are also highly modern in their approach, with all services live-streamed, a practice that has become more common since COVID-19.
Despite general trends of church decline, The Community Church has experienced "disproportionate growth" since the pandemic. Dawn attributes this to people increasingly becoming "disillusioned with all the stuff that the world says [is] important – money, fame, whatever." She believes people are searching for "truth" and "deeper questions," seeking "spiritual guidance" and a "more deeper, meaningful connection."
Dawn reflected on the church's evolution, noting that while they hold to core beliefs, they also learn, grow, and change to address contemporary issues. "Anybody is welcome here," she stressed, emphasising that their congregation includes people from diverse backgrounds, including those who don't believe in God but come for a sense of belonging. The church has also seen changes in its stance, such as the role of women in leadership, moving from a position of "humility rather than arrogance." Dawn's passion is for everyone to "work together" and "not reinvent the wheel," emphasising collaboration among local charities and organisations.
The Community Church truly embodies its name, offering a vibrant hub of support, connection, and hope in the heart of Burton upon Trent. You can find more information about their services, CAP Burton, Teapots, and their various community initiatives by visiting their website: thecommunitychurchburton.co.uk.
Have a positive community story to share? Email Tom Drysdale at tom.drysdale@burtonecho.co.uk, and we’ll do our best to bring it to life!
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