What is it?
It’s going to be a wonderful weekend packed full of teaching, worship, food, seeking God, Barn Dance, Silent Praise Party, Kids programme, games, building church family relationships and much more!
Who can attend?
Anyone from St Clare’s, St.Francis and Emmanuel Church.
Where is it being held?
Emmanuel Church, Stoughton – 1 Shepherds Lane, GU2 9SJ.
When is it?
The Big Church Weekend will be from 7.15*pm Friday 1st May – 12.15pm Sunday 3rd May. *Friday starts with a families tea & silent praise disco, from 3.15pm.
What is the cost?
The cost of a ticket is £20 for an adult and £5 each for a child. Please note we want everyone to be able to attend, so if finance is an issue please see *FAQs for pay-what-you-can. We would also love people to consider donating someone else attending for free.
More information?
Click below for a list of *Frequently Asked Questions.
Friday
3:15 – 5:00: Kids Alive – family tea party & silent praise disco
7:15 – 7:30 : Tea & Coffee
7:30 – 9 : Session 1/Mark Castleton
9 – 10:00 : Extended Worship
Saturday
8:45 – 9:15: Prayer
9:15 – 10:00: Coffee, Pastries & Signing-in
9:30: Children’s Program registration
9:45: Worship
10:15: Session 2 / Laura Gallacher
11:15-11:30: Refreshment Break
11:30- 12:15: Session 3 / Laura Gallacher
12:15 – 1:00: Lunch (sharing buffet provided)
1:00: Laura Gallacher ‘Sharing Faith’ Panel Q&A (Main Church)
1:00: Reflective Prayer Space (Room 8)
1:00: Parish Treasure Hunt & Emmanuel Cafe (open until 2pm).
2:00: St Francis Tea, Cake and Games
3:00: Rest time
4:00- 5 :00: Session 4 / Church at 4 style featuring Youth Worship Band
5:00: Western themed Barn Dance (denim & Cowboy hats!) & Dinner, BYO drinks!
8:00-9:30 : Silent Praise Disco (all welcome)
Sunday
8:45: Holy Communion
10:30-12:00 : Session 5 / Thom Jee
4:00 : Church at 4 (St Clare’s)
6:00 : Reflective Gathering with Holy Communion featuring The Vine Student worship band
Laura Gallacher
Laura is a Bible teacher, speaker, and co‑founder of Prisca, a UK movement equipping and mentoring preachers, Bible teachers, and communicators to handle Scripture with clarity and confidence in today’s cultural moment.
She serves the wider church teaching and preaching at conferences, evangelistic events, local theology initiatives, and speaker training. After studying English Literature, Laura taught at a secondary school before completing theological study and joining the leadership team at St Aldates Church, Oxford, as Pastor to Undergraduates. Following several years at home with her children, her teaching has explored the hermeneutics of Old Testament law, the vocation of God’s people, and the work of Christ and the Spirit.
Laura is passionate about building community, communicating the Bible in ways that connect across contexts, preaching to the margins, and championing the people of God into Christlikeness. Married with children, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, cooking, and curling up with a good book—always with a sense of fun and curiosity.
Mark Castleton
Mark Castleton is the Associate Vicar of All Saints Woodford Wells working with Paul and Becky Harcourt. He is also the Minister of St Andrew’s Woodford Green. Mark is married to Clare and they have a daughter.
Having experienced the good, the bad and the ugly of the prophetic ministry within the church, Mark is excited about seeing the church grow up into an authentic and mature and prophetic voice, whilst at the same time not taking itself too seriously and remaining humble and completely dependent upon the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Mark loves Jesus, likes decent coffee and cake, and tolerates Arsenal as a lifelong supporter.
What is the theme of the weekend?
Transformed – we want to be personally transformed, to live out our verse of the year, and be a people who proclaim the good news that God reigns! We want to be empowered to go and make disciples, so that everyone in our local community will be transformed by the love of Jesus!
I don’t know if I can afford it, can I still come?
Yes! We want everyone to attend regardless of financial situation. When you sign up there is an option to buy a free or discounted ticket.
What food and drink will be available?
You will be provided Tea & Coffee, Squash, pastries, buffet lunch and a western themed dinner (cowboy boots optional!). Please bring a bottle of something you would like to drink for the evening meal and barn dance.
The Emmanuel Cafe will be open 1-2.30pm for coffee and cakes – these will need to be paid for as usual.
FREE Tea & Coffee will be available from the Old Church kitchen.
What if I have special dietary requirements?
Please let us know of any dietary requirements when you sign up.
You can also contact coffee@emmanuelchurch.co.uk with specific details.
What are the arrangements for children?
We love our children and young people and want them to be a full part of the church weekend.
Friday afternoon we will have a Kids Alive family party tea (food provided), and silent disco for children aged 0-year 6 from 3.15-5pm! Year 7 and upwards are invited to the TKC/Gathering at 7.30pm.
Saturday morning we will have provision for children aged 0-13. Our children and young people will be exploring the same topics as the rest of the church as well as having lots of fun and games. As well as an awesome paint party celebration for Kids Church and Rooted – wear messy clothes!
Saturday afternoon we are inviting all families to come to a special church at 4 style event. This event is designed for families to explore faith together so do come along!
Sunday morning all groups will run as normal.
Please sign children up in advance so we can make sure they have the best support and team in place.
Is there parking?
Yes there is parking at the church but spaces are limited so please consider walking if you are able
Are we expected to come to everything?
No. Whilst we encourage you to come to as much as you can, you are not expected to come to everything. Some events are designed for everyone: Saturday morning, the barn dance and meal, Sunday morning. Some events will suit specific groups more than others: Friday tea, night, silent praise party.
Are we doing a barn dance this year?
Yes! The barn dance is back, please do come dressed up – denim, cowboy hat, boots are all encouraged! Best costume gets a prize! We’ll be eating cowboy burgers, sides and have a pudding station, please bring your own drinks – everyone is encouraged to mingle. If dancing isn’t you’re thing please do still come, spectate and chat – there will be seating available and also space in the Old Church.
What is church at 4?
Church at 4 is a family friendly service in the style of St Clare’s church at 4 service. It is designed for everyone to be able to attend, and especially for families to have the opportunity to worship and explore discipleship together. James Herring and Sarah Morton are leading, there will be lots of interaction, the layout will be cafe style and worship lead by our Youth Worship Band.
What activities are on between 1-4pm Saturday?
There are a variety of different activities happening, please do join in with what suits you!
1:00 Panel ‘Sharing Faith Q&A‘ with Laura Gallacher, Jonny Lowe and guests (main church)
1:00 Reflective Prayer Space with David Huggings (Room 8). A quiet hour to be still, reflect, pray, and listen for God, with optional activities inspired by our Emotionally Healthy Spirituality course.
1:00 Parish Treasure Hunt – intergenerational family fun, with Wendy & Neil Cook (Start Emmanuel Sports Hall)
1:00-2:00 Emmanuel Cafe open
2:00 St Francis – Tea, cake and lawn games (St Francis Church).
3:00 Rest time – feel free to rest and relax, either at St Francis or Emmanuel Church will be open, have some park time on Stoughton Rec or pop home and chill ready to join everyone at Church@4pm
Saturday morning in more detail
Saturday morning is a time for everyone. We will have pastries and drinks to start the morning and lunch together.
This year the Childrens program will start at 9:45am.
The teaching will start at 10:15am. The programme in the main church is designed for adults and older teenagers.
Children and younger teens will have worship and teaching as well as games and food in the sports hall and meeting rooms.
Friday evening meeting in more detail
We are very excited for our friday evening meeting. It will give us the oppportunity to go deeper in worship and start our teaching with Mark Castleton. There is no provision for children during this session though young people are invited to come as well as all adults.
Earlier that afternoon, we are having a family tea party with silent praise disco for our younger children – see above for further details.
What can I bring?
We suggest you bring a bottle of water, travel mug, a bible and perhaps pen and paper if you like to take notes.
Weather dependant – please bring a picnic rug for Saturday lunchtime, grab lunch and head to the vicarage garden.
For the western barn dance and dinner please bring anything you would like to drink. We will provide water and squash but if you would like anything else to drink you are welcome to bring it.
How can I get involved?
We would love some help on our set-up team, decorations team, welcome team, refreshments, catering and logistics team. This means you would be assigned a specific part of the event to serve drinks, or food, or set up/pack down for a specific session. Please contact parish.office@emmanuelchurch.co.uk if you can help.
Accessibility concerns
All the events are held in an accessible building. Hearing loop is available for those who need it.