Farsi Ministry
Since 2021, Christ Church has welcomed many Farsi speakers to our community. Many are in the asylum process and others have been settled in the UK for some time. We have been richly blessed in sharing our faith journeys together and believe our church best reflects the Kingdom of God when we worship and share community together across the many nationalities making up our congregation.
We also recognise that our Farsi-speaking brothers and sisters have particular spiritual and pastoral concerns that can be best addressed in dedicated spaces, and so, while we worship all together on Sunday mornings, we have time in the week where our Farsi speaking community can access Bible teaching, discipleship and pastoral care in Farsi.
In June 2023, Emma Lowth, our Associate Vicar was licensed with particular responsibility for our Farsi Ministry. She is supported by Sepi Black our Farsi Ministry Assistant and by other English and Farsi speaking ministry leaders and helpers.
Click here to read our Farsi Welcome Booklet and we invite you to join our Telegram group to receive all the news! You can also access our Farsi language pages by clicking here.
Read on to find out more about how our Farsi ministry looks at Christ Church.
Sunday Mornings
Whilst our 10.30am service is an English-language service, our sermons and orders of service are translated into Farsi, and we often include songs or prayers in Farsi, too. Many Farsi-speakers attend and newcomers will find a warm welcome there and at tea and coffee afterwards.
Baptism preparation
There are many reasons that someone may feel interested in Jesus’ teaching, his death and resurrection. We encourage everyone to take time to explore and understand the Christian faith deeply before considering baptism, to learn about its significance, about prayer and about the Christian way of life.
We hold baptism preparation in Farsi twice a year, completing an Alpha Course as part of this. In the meantime, we invite new members to get involved in the church community and come to Bible study.
Farsi Christian Fellowship
On the 3rd Sunday of the month, at 4.30pm, we host our monthly Farsi Christian Fellowship services – an opportunity for members of the wider Farsi-speaking community to gather together to enjoy worship, prayer, teaching and Holy Communion in Farsi. After the service we share a meal together and often end the night with dancing. We welcome all Farsi-speakers to these events, including those who attend other churches in Southwark Diocese.
We also celebrate cultural events together, such as Nowruz, and host other cultural events such as Farsi Film Nights, Poetry Nights and Music nights from time to time. Please check our calendar for the latest information.
Bible Study evening
Members of the community meet every week for Farsi Bible Study. We spend some time in worship, hear a talk, discuss and pray together. These evening meetings are open to all church members.
For more information about what's on, or to learn more about life at Christ and our Farsi Ministry please contact Emma at emma@gipsyhill.org.uk