How a community grew in generosity and rescued St Helen’s Church

Small church with big issues

Tucked away amid narrow lanes and concealed among the vibrancy of God’s creation, St Helen’s Church is a hidden jewel in the crown of Barnoldby-le-Beck village. But beneath its beauty lay a serious challenge. It was a small church on the brink of a big financial collapse.

Just a year ago, local people were lamenting the loss of the life and community the church once provided. Yet its roots run deep. Thankfully, a renewal is taking place through a spring of generosity.

Asking important questions

When Revd Pauline Cummins became the rector, she could count the money in the accounts on her fingers. With no PCC, an empty electoral roll and a lack of organised response to its plight, the church was crying out for change – and not just coins found in pockets.

Locals were just as concerned as Revd Pauline. So, with just a sliver of hope, she prayed that God would set hearts and minds on making the most of this special sanctuary. Putting faith into action, she and the churchwarden set to work re-forming the PCC. The Parish Leadership Team grew and good governance was restored.

The PCC came together with the Friends of St Helen’s in a display of solidarity at seeing this beautiful church brought back from the brink.

Then, the penny dropped.

They faced each other and had the courage to ask two questions: What would happen if we united faith and fellowship beyond a Sunday? And importantly to make it happen – what does it look like to give and share abundantly in God’s love for each other through this place?

Doing church differently

Before long, they took the bold step of becoming a Festival Church – doing a bold turnaround on near closure – with all ideas laid out on the table. As a Festival Church, they could plan for big moments in the church calendar such as Easter or Christmas, while focusing the rest of the year on proclaiming the love of Christ through community events and activities.

There were plenty of lightbulb moments, although the utility bills weighed heavily on their minds. Never mind blue-sky thinking, the roof was leaking!

The reality was a wake-up call to them. So they woke up their neighbours as well. Beginning with the Five Marks of Mission, they were guided by outreach in its whole variety and scope. It led them to some novel ideas for increasing generosity without passing round the tithing plate.

The Churchwarden for St Helen’s and the chair of the Friends of St Helen’s group, Sarah Thinnesen, was vital in leading the way for this faithful few to start making an impact. She worked closely with Revd Pauline to not only keep the church open, but secure its future.

A sense of shared belonging

Recognising this would be a marathon rather than a sprint, they built on the church’s identity and looked to make it relevant to people’s lives. Coffee mornings ran alongside heritage trails (they’re on the Viking Way). Their outreach even reached Carenza Lewis of Time Team fame, who led a history talk at the church.

Over 100 people found themselves chattering away in this once silent house of God.

One of the most heart-warming moments came from a person who stepped through those church doors for the first time after 15 years of living in the village. It was a moment of celebration.

A sense of belonging has been steadily rising and flowing into the leafy streets. Not only is the church giving people a shared identity, but it is honouring the dedication of those who are offering a hand to help. Everyone is generously contributing something of themselves – visitors and volunteers alike.

Designed to inspire

This new dawn for the church also shed light on some of its most pressing demands. With bills in their thousands to pay each year and a roof in dire need of repair, they needed the funds if they could continue being a source of joy. They couldn’t continue as they had been, pretending it would fix itself. They believe God called them to act.

The church designed a booklet showing where the funding was making a tangible difference and helping the whole community.

They reduced their costs by committing to becoming an eco-church and finding sustainable ways to run and worship (locals even contributed eco-friendly lightbulbs at a time when the church had only a few pounds to spare).

During events, they have encouraged donations through online methods which are more efficient and easier in a cashless society.

A generous space for everyone

Crucially, they discovered the gifts and talents of the people around them and leaned into their specific needs. Some found solace in the building, while others found peace in the churchyard. For some, it was friendship they wanted. Thankfully, there was a spot, activity or event for all to give and take in equal measure. People are discovering physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

A volunteer who never fails to spend time helping tend the garden finds great solace at St Helen’s. It has become a hopeful space following the death of his mother.

When people witnessed how the church was being generous, offering clear information, and striving to make their future sustainable, they couldn’t help but join the cause. This former lost cause was now following God’s plan and purpose. Worship hasn’t stopped – they are rejoicing in God’s glory in both old ways and new.

Growing together

Now the efforts continue. A small but resolute church team is pressing ahead with plans to collaborate and share resources alongside six other churches in the area. They have gathered a loyal following on social media, with 200 people now offering uplifting words of encouragement.

The scale and variety of generosity being displayed is an encouraging testament of God’s grace for this determined community. By building a culture of invitation and welcome, they planted the seeds of giving through reaching out and building belonging across the village.

Now they’re closing the gap on the £10k they need to fix that leaky roof…and letting the contributions speak for themselves.

Explore St Helen’s Church

Further information about St Helen’s Church in Barnoldby-le-Beck can be found by clicking or tapping here.

Discuss Generous Living and Giving

The Diocesan Generous Living Team is available to help churches thrive through generous living and giving. Learn more by clicking or tapping here.

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