AUTUMN NEWS LETTER BY: REV MARK CAREY

Autumn 2025 With CCBN – Works in Progress

As we step into autumn, I wanted to share a few updates—not just to keep you informed, but also to invite your prayers. This year has been a year of spreading out, and it feels like we are now entering a crucial few months where several works in progress will begin to do what God has called them to do, in new and fresh ways.

Studio 4:16

Studio 416 is an exciting mission initiative funded by the Diocese of York, recognising the unique gifts and calling of CCBN. Miriam Thurlow is becoming our Associate Vicar for the network and leader of a community house that will gather young adults. She will also be working with Bishop Eleanor Sanderson to encourage similar initiatives across the Diocese.

The vision is to create a space where young adults can explore who they are and what God is calling them to. A property on Trinity Road has been identified, and change-of-use planning permission is currently being sought. Unfortunately, this has attracted some unkind speculation on social media.

Please pray for Miriam—that Studio 416 would be protected, that planning permission and purchase would go through smoothly, and that the vision would flourish.

Christ Church Café Refurbishment

Over the summer, the refurbishment of the Christ Church Café began—a project achieved at no cost to the church’s general finances! This transformed space will be a fantastic investment in mission, creating a welcoming place of community, care, and encounter with the love of Jesus.

Please pray for Donna Brooks and her Café Team, as she leads the team into this new season.

Church Family Hub

We are part way through a pilot scheme with the nationwide charity Spurgeons to develop a Church Family Hub. This will create spaces for connection, family support, and signposting to other local services—meeting real needs for families across Bridlington.

The Family Hall (now called the Church Family Hub) will be the base, but we also hope that St Mark’s and Holy Trinity can play a role.

Please pray for Miriam Thurlow, Jenni Middleton, and the growing team as this new initiative takes shape.

Across the Network

It is a joy to see growth and development right across our network:

  • St Mark’s Westhill – the team and various areas of mission are thriving, but a new heating system is urgently needed. Please pray for the provision of funds and for an effective installation.

  • Holy Trinity – We are discerning a vision to revitalise Holy Trinity’s capacity to serve alongside Christ Church in the town centre. Please pray for this.

  • St Magnus, Bessingby – Vital roof repairs are about to begin, but even more exciting is that services will now be held every Sunday for the first time in years!

  • Martongate Community Church – They will be meeting in Martongate Primary School while the North Library undergoes refurbishment. Please pray for them in this temporary season.

  • St Andrew’s, Ulrome – Following an encouraging time doing Roots: Immersion in Disciplemaking plans are afoot to host an ALHPA course.

There is so much to give thanks for across our six locations and ten churches!

A God of Abundance

I continue to be amazed at the generosity of our God—through His people and in unexpected ways. We have now fully paid off the debt carried from Christ Church Community Services. Many of you may not even have been aware of it, but it is a wonderful testimony to God’s provision that we now enter this new season debt-free and confident in our vision. Your generosity in giving to the mission of our network is much appreciated – please watch out for more information regarding how we work together to ensure financial support for ministry areas, buildings, worship and services.

Now is a good time to start giving in a planned way if you don’t already, also maybe to discern what God is calling you to give at this time. More information is available at all of our locations and churches. Everybody has a part to play in giving.

We are One Network. Six Locations. Ten Churches.
We believe God is calling us to grow and release authentic disciple-making communities. This may mean more locations and more churches going forward—but our focus will remain the same: making disciples and building community.

Let’s continue to exercise faith together, knowing that our God is not a God of lack, limits, and loss—He is the God of provision, abundance, and life.

With thanks and prayers,
Mark Carey
Vicar, CCBN