Last month, members and friends of the Hesed Christian Fellowship celebrated their fifth anniversary

Hesed is a group of Christians who meet every Sunday in the New Hedges Village Hall, and in members' homes during the week, to pray, worship, learn more about the Bible, support each other and enjoy one another's company.

Sunday meetings are in some ways like a traditional church service, but there is a strong emphasis on being 'user-friendly'. People are able to join in, share problems, ask questions and come and go as they need to. Children can stay for the talk or go out for supervised activities as they and their parents wish.

One example of the way in which Hesed meetings are different from a more traditional church is that on a Sunday following the death of a member time was set aside for people to talk about the lady who had died and share memories of her life.

There is also a time where everyone can share news and ask people to pray for anything they are concerned about.

Holidaymakers often return again and again when they find that, as one visitor said this year: "Hesed is a family-sized church where you are treated as family". An increasing number consider themselves to be part of the fellowship, keeping in touch regularly by 'phone, letter and e-mail between visits. There are people as far away as Cardiff and Stafford who pray for Hesed every day.

Statistics show that many new churches fail within the first two years, so it is very exciting to see Hesed begin its sixth year. This has begun with the production of a new leaflet explaining what Hesed is all about. Copies have already been distributed to all the homes in the immediate neighbourhood, and now the church has begun a programme of offering a free video about the life of Jesus to everyone in the area.

The Pastor, Rev. Peter Richmond, says: "It is a joy to work alongside such committed Christians, and we look forward to another good year together."

If you would like to know more about Hesed, or would like a copy of the leaflet or the video mentioned above, the Pastor can be contacted on 01646 681805.