News and Information

High Street Baptist Church - Tring

Keep updated

The best way to keep up with the latest High Street news and information is to follow us on social media. If you attend regularly then join our mailing list to receive the weekly Midweek Update by email.

Contact admin@tringbaptistchurch.co.uk for more details.

Baptistry Refresh

We are delighted to announce that our recent building work has been completed. The Baptistry Refresh project has resulted in a fantastic new versatile space at the front of our worship area; As well as a large stage we have extra seating capacity. It is great news for our midweek church activity and Sunday services as well as Tring as a whole.  Some of our regular groups are already enjoying the space and it is available to hire for groups, meetings and community events.  We would like to express our thanks to the Laing Family Trust,  the Allchurches Trust and Dacorum Community Grant for assisting us with this project.

Green your Christmas

During Advent we posted daily of tips about how to have an eco friendly Christmas on social media. This culminated in an Eco Christmas tree as part of the Tring Together Christmas Tree competition for the Christmas Festival.

Light in the Community

As part of our Christmas 2020 activity we encouraged the giving of gifts to neighbours. We provided High Street mugs and asked people to fill them with a gift and then give to someones.

Advent

As was the case for much of the year, Advent 2020 was a little different. Services were planned and adjusted, gatherings were mostly virtual. Nevertheless, we prepared for the wonder of Christmas and the celebration of Jesus’ birth.

A Gold Eco Church

In September 2020 we were thrilled to be awarded a gold Eco Church award. Read more about our path to gold on our Green Journey page.

Tring's Own Apple Fayre

Tring’s Apple Fayre is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate as a community. We usually have apple themed meals at Friday Cafe, but things look a little different this year. At High Street Baptist Church we have participated in the virtual events with craft ideas and recipes in the brochure.

Worshipping differently

As lockdown eased we needed to find new ways to worship together safely. Each Sunday morning we now offer a hybrid service with the option to attend in person or via Zoom. We are grateful to those with the technical ability to make this happen and for everyones patience as we find ways to keep connected at High Street.

Season of Creation 2020

The Season of Creation is a global movement of Christians seeking to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through repenting, repairing, and rejoicing together. During the Season of Creation we published weekly newsletters to offer news, encouragement and resources relating to creation care.

Activity Garden

With the Covid-19 restrictions we had to adapt our children’s work. The garden was turned into a creative play space for children to explore in the safety of their family groups.

Midweek Update

Every week we produce a Midweek Update with church news, forthcoming events and the scripture for the coming Sunday. We also include a list of those who are currently needing prayer. Midweek Update is emailed to anyone who wants to be kept up to date with the news at High Street Baptist Church.

If you would like to receive our weekly Midweek Update, please contact the office at admin@tringbaptistchurch.co.uk.

Local food and supplies

Trings’s Justice & Peace Group have compiled a useful guide to local businesses who are able to supply food and products during lockdown.

Many of these businesses also offer delivery services or have special arrangements for collection. Please download  the document, and share especially with those without online access.

Lifestyle Survey

In April 2020, we asked members of High Street Baptist Church to complete a survey about their  lifestyle and the environment. The results show that the vast majority see ethical living as an integral part of living out their faith. Many great ideas were shared and pledges were made for the future.

Comment Magazine

Comment Magazine is a monthly magazine with contributions from all churches in Tring. It is full of fascinating articles and news of forthcoming events. There is also useful contact information for all the churches.

It is produced to a high quality and if you live in Tring you can have 10 issues a year delivered to your door for only £10. To read it online click the cover.

If you wish to contribute or subscribe please contact the editor on comment.magazine@gmail.com

Easter Hope

We had made preparations to decorate stones and hand them out during the Walk of Witness on Good Friday. Hwoever, with social distancing restrictions we needed to seek an alternative way to share the message of hope at Easter. The painted stones were distributed around the town, the response was fantastic – with lots of people sharing on social media the joy it brought them to discover the stones.

Egg decorating competition

Easter 2020 did not go as planned. Covid-19 lockdown meant that we had to celebrate in a different way. Instead of the egg-rolling down Pitstone Hill we had an on-line deocarating competition, it was a very tough decision for the judges (thanks Atkin’s Bakery!).

Give as You Live

This is simple way to add to your giving without any extra cost to you.

Shop at over 4,200 leading stores via the Give as You Live website and you will be raising more funds for your chosen charity at no extra cost to yourself. High Street Baptist Church is a registered charity, and we rely on the giving of our members to sustain our church building and all our activities. Why not make High Street Baptist Church your chosen charity!

For details of how to use this secure and simple way to raise funds for us when you shop online, please click on the find out more button to go to the Give as You Live website.

 

Lent lunches

During Lent 2020 Tring Churches Together took turns each week to host a simple lunch in aid of Christian Aid. As well as being a time of fellowship and fund raising it was a time to reflect on Christian Aid’s call to respond to the climate emergency, through prayer and action.

Welcome Ruth and Joe

On Saturday 2 November 2019, we welcomed our new ministers, Revd Joe and Revd Ruth Egan to High Street Baptist Church. We were joined by friends from Enfield Baptist Church and many of Joe and Ruth’s friends and family. With a full church, we held the  induction service, and celebrated afterwards with afternoon tea!

Tring's Climate Event

We were able to show case our eco credentials at Tring’s Climate Event on Saturday 26 October. The display depicts activity we do to realise the concern we have for our environment and God’s creation. Some of these things are hidden, such as where our used nappies go – to fuel hospitals, so it was a good opportunity to highlight these. Lots of elements contribute to us being awarded a silver eco award – but there is more to do!

Bake Off and Harvest

As usual our Harvest celebration was action packed! As well as giving thanks to God for His marvellous provision and presenting our donations to DENS – a local homeless charity – we had our famous Bake Off competition. Here are the winning cakes.

Thank you NCS!

National Citizen Service is a project for young people to build skills and do community action in their local area. This summer we have been delighted to welcome Hertfordshire Youth Services as they have run NCS from our building. We were thrilled when, as part of their community action, they renovated our garden – painting the furniture, fitting a water butt, building a bug hotel and adding lots of planting. It looks fantastic!

Farewell

On Sunday 21 July 2019 we had to say goodbye to our two Time for God interns, Hannah and Johannes. They have been at High Street since September and helped out in every area of our church activity – they will be missed! More than that however, they have become part of our church family and we wish them all the best in the next chapter of their lives at they start university back in Germany.

Summer Sundae!

Sunday 21 July 2019 marked the first of our Summer Sundays. As well as our usual creative activities we served ice-cream sundaes to everyone during the service! 

Junior Church End of Term

Sunday 14 July 2019 was the last Junior Church of the year. As well as a graduation for those children moving up groups, there was a fantastic Beach Party – even the food was beachy!

Tring Summer Carnival

Saturday 29 June was the annual Tring Summer Carnival. Churches Together in Tring offered free face painting and children’s craft plus plenty of space to relax. The theme of the carnival was space, and our tent included a reminder to respect our planet, with an emphasis on recycled craft actvitiy and eco-friendly space play dough! 

Fairtrade Town status renewed

In June 2019, Tring’s Fairtrade Town status was renewed. High Street Baptist Church is pleased to support Fairtrade by serving Fairtrade tea and coffee. Fairtrade means that growers and producers receive a decent wage for their work, as well as additional benefits for their community. We encourage choosing Fairtrade products when available and asking for Fairtrade coffee when you go out for a cuppa!

High Street Baptist Church serves Fairtrade tea, coffee and sugar at our midweek activity and on Sunday mornings.

Fun Family Treasure Hunt

A fantastic time was had by all at the Family Treasure Hunt and BBQ on Saturday 22 June 2019. Cryptic clues, challenges and questions led the teams around Tring and finally to the treasure! All finished off by a wonderful BBQ in the church garden. Well done to all the teams who took part.

Green Health

On Wednesday 5 June 2019 our church administrator attended Green Health Live2, a conference hosted at Lambeth Palace challenging churches to utilise their green spaces, large or small, to improve the mental health of their communities.

Read more

Tring Linking Lives Launch

We are pleased to announce the launching of Tring Linking Lives, a befriending service aimed at those of any age who find themselves requiring some extra friendship and support. Tring Linking Lives matches volunteers with people who would like to see or hear from a friendly volunteer visitor on a regular basis for around one hour, and perhaps go out for short outings to local places of interest. 

Garden tidy-up

On Saturday 11 May, a group of volunteers spruced up the garden by weeding, pruning and mowing. All ready for some summer activity – it is looking great! See for yourself in our before and after photos!

I Am Me

On Tuesday 23 April, Sue Hampton read from her book ‘I am me’. This beautiful picture book tells the story of a child refugee leaving home and arriving in the UK. All proceeds from the book support young refugees through the charity People Not Borders.  Activity Room had lots of craft and play areas on the topic of ‘home’ to allow the children to explore the theme further.

He is risen!

On Easter morning we started the day with a sunrise service on Pitstone Hill. The service was followed by our annual ‘best decorated’ and egg-rolling competition. Then a brisk walk back to Tring for breakfast in the church hall before our Easter celebration service.

My Money March

It was a pleasure to host Goldfield School students as part of their My Money March series. Once the students had presented their business cards, we enjoyed answering their questions about the activity we do at High Street, how we use our money and where it comes from!

Award winning Games Afternoon

Games Afternoon has been supported by Dacorum Borough Grants. We were thrilled to be the winner of the health and wellbeing category at their 2019 Community Grants Awards evening. Games Afternoon runs every Wednesday afternoon from 2 to 4pm. As well as a variety of games and delicious refreshments, there is a quiet space in the worship area where people can take a few moments of quiet and even light a candle.

High Street Mugs!

We are delighted to announce our very own High Street mugs, are now available! Local artist Mary Casserley, generously created a stunning painting of our church, which we have had printed on mugs. She also has prints of the painting available as framed pictures or cards. Thanks Mary!

Tring Christmas Festival

Every year Tring closes it’s High Street to cars, for a wonderful festival of stalls, performaces and food. High Street Baptist Church we open our doors and offer free craft for children, hot drinks and refreshments, as well as a quiet space where you can take a few minutes to be still, and perhaps light a candle. 

Garden 

We have really enjoyed using our garden over the summer, but it was time for a tidy-up! Helpers, big and small, have done a great job.

Farewell to Elena and Catha

From September 2017 to June 2018, Elena and Catha have served as volunteers with High Street Baptist Church under Time for God’s Europe wide scheme. They have been part of the church family during the year – helping out with the children’s activities, Games Afternoon (pictured), Friday Cafe and many other aspects of church life. They will be missed!

BBQ
We all enjoyed our garden on Sunday 10 June, with a bring and share lunch. It was the first time many had used our new staircase – a sturdy new steel one to replace the rotton wooden one! Thanks to donations and support from London Luton Airport Ltc. –  Near Neighbours via BLCF to fund the staircase.

Bluebell Walk
The sun was shining on Sunday 22 April for our bluebell walk in Ashridge Estate.

Easter cross

 During Easter 2018, the whole church was busy creating wonderful butterflies, from all sorts of materials. Together we produced our beautiful butterfly cross. The butterflies represent the transformation, which is possible in our lives, through the love of Jesus. 

 

Egg-rolling competition!

Easter morning started at 7am on Pitstone Hill for High Street Baptist Church. After our service was time for the annual egg-rolling competition. Prizes were given for the first three winners and the best decorated egg. Back to church for a warming cooked breakfast and an all-age celebration service.

Walk of Witness

High Street Baptist Churches joined together with other Tring churches to participate in the Walk of Witness through the high street on Good Friday morning. It was a moving event as the procession walked along the streets to the sound of a single drum. Songs, readings, prayers and drama focussed our thoughts on the sacrifice made by our Saviour, Jesus.

Prayerful send-off

At Andrew’s final service at High Street Baptist Church, on Sunday 14 January, the congregation prayed for him and Rowena. After a sabbatical they will make their new home in Leigh-on-Sea.

A foot stomping farewell

After just over 6 years as minister at High Street Baptist Church, the time had come to say farewell to Andrew Cowley, and his wife Rowena. On Saturday 13 January we held a barn dance and afternoon tea. A barn dance was the perfect choice of event as it didn’t matter if you were 3 or 93 years – you could have a go!

Emma is baptised

After much contemplation Emma recognised that God wants her just the way she is. She chose to demonstrate her faith by being baptised, in front of her family and friends.

A Mayoral visit!

Wednesday Games Afternoon members were delighted that the Mayor and Mayoress of Tring could join them for their Christmas celebrations.

Nativity

 

On Sunday 17 December 2017, our service started with Joyce and John lighting the Advent candles. Then we had a traditional Nativity play and Christmas sketches from our older Junior Church members. It was truly an all age service. Afterwards we held our annual Junior Church Christmas party.

Light and Bright

 

We had a fantastic time at our Light and Bright Party, on 31 October. The party aimed to provide an alternative to the usual spooky activities of Halloween. Children of all ages came together for music and dancing, colourful craft, silly games and plenty of party food! 

What a Harvest!

On Sunday 1 October we had our Harvest Celebration and Great High Street Bake-Off. 

Lydia’s dedication

On Sunday 30 July, we were delighted to give thanks for Lydia and celebrate her first birthday together.

Tring is a Fairtrade town

On Saturday 15 July 2017 the Town Mayor of Tring Town, Councillor Mr Gerald Wilkins, presented the renewal certificate of Tring’s status as a Fairtrade Town. We are pleased to be part of the Fairtrade movement by serving Fairtrade tea and coffee on our premises.

A world first!

On 2 May 2017, High Street Baptist Church became the first Baptist church around the world to make a public commitment to divest from fossil fuels! As such, we have been added to the list of divestment commitments on the Fossil Free (350.org) website. High Street has been in close touch with the Bright Now campaign on Church divestment, organised by Christian environment charity, Operation Noah, and indeed we feature as a case study in the most recent publication from the campaign (see link). With this latest commitment, however, we are joining a list that includes some very large institutions and hope that before long we may be joined by many more Baptist churches up and down the country. Our commitment is based on having moved electricity supplier to a ‘fully renewable’ supplier, looking at options for our gas supply when current contracts expire and also exploring options for moving our bank account away from one of the high street’s big four to a bank that supports and endorses moves towards a net zero carbon economy.

Interactive Prayer Day

On Saturday 11 March 2017, the church opened its doors for an Interactive Prayer Walk. Stations around the church, based on the fruits of the Spirit, invited participants to pray creatively.