The Parish of Cinderford, St Stephen’s was created in 1880 covering three-quarters of the small town in its rural setting.
The church, on the approach road to the town centre, seats 250 and has disabled access. The church has a well-equipped kitchen, a separate meeting room for Junior Church, an open social area and toilets including disabled facilities. A sound system is installed with a hearing loop.
At St Stephen’s there is a broad base of worship with a worship group leading many of the services, using a mix of modern worship songs and some more traditional hymns.
Services and events
A service is held each week at 11.00 am, these services are also livestreamed on the Benefice Facebook and YouTube pages. Messy Church is held on the Second Sunday of each month from 3.00 pm – 5.00 pm.
11.00 am services are contemporary in style with worship led by a band and words displayed on a screen. Activities for children and young people are always provided at the 11.00 am services. Tea and coffee is available after the 11.00 am service each week, we use Fairtrade Coffee from Greenhill Coffee Roasters and Fairtrade Tea.
There are various events and groups held each month, keep an eye on the Facebook page or email [email protected] for more information.
Fairtrade at St Stephen’s
St Stephen’s is a certified Fairtrade Church. A well stocked Fairtrade Shop, Fairtrade at St Stephen’s, is available at the back of church selling a range of Fairtrade groceries and fairly traded gifts from around the world. St Stephen’s is proud to only use Fairtrade Tea, Coffee and Sugar at services and events. The church also actively seeks to use other Fairtrade products where possible. Gloucester is a Fairtrade Diocese.
Fairtrade at St Stephen’s is open every Friday from 12 noon – 4 pm for “Fairtrade Friday: Coffee Afternoon”. Refreshments are available, a chance to chat and lots of fairly traded goods from around the world available to purchase.
Fairtrade products are available to purchase either whenever the church is open or directly from the Fairtrade Ambassador, Rachel Witham ([email protected]). You can also see the Facebook page Fairtrade at St Stephen’s for more information.
Groups and activities
A group for younger members of the church meets weekly during the 11 am service, and Messy Church on the second Sunday of each month (from 3 pm – 5 pm). Please visit our Children and Youth pages for more information.
Fairtrade Friday takes place every Friday from 12 noon – 4 pm (see above).
During the year, many of the congregation at St Stephen’s are involved in mid-week activities including Bible studies, Prayer Meetings and Women (SHINE) and Men’s (BoB) activities.
Giving
You can support the work of St Stephen’s Church by donating online through the Parish Giving Scheme.
Find us
St Stephen’s Church
Belle Vue Road
Cinderford
Gloucestershire
GL14 2AA