TOGETHER for Ipswich

Together for Ipswich is here to provide a communication vehicle between the Civic Authorities, particularly the Local Authority, and the Christian churches, charities and people in Ipswich. This will enable a better understanding of how local policy impacts on ordinary people, and a way to explore shared initiatives and effective partnership.

More About Us

VISION

Simon Barrington talks about the vision for Together For Ipswich

DIFFERENCE COURSE

Difference is a nationally available five-week course, and forms part of the Reconciling Leaders Network, the initiative of the former Archbishop of Canterbury. 

The aim of Difference is to explore the transformative journey of following Jesus in a conflicted and divided world.

On the five Monday evenings in March, and under the banner of Together for Ipswich, Alan Cutting and Simon Barrington co-led the course at the Salvation Army Citadel on Woodbridge Road.  As things worked out, it took place under the spotlight of public reaction to Justin Welby’s leadership and, whatever the rights and wrongs, we prayed for him and his family, and recognised that the issues of curiosity, of leadership and of forgiveness (that have been central to his resignation, and to the course) are massive and complex. 

Our 13 participants came from nine different churches and agencies locally, and we tussled with issues that will ‘equip people to cross divides, navigate disagreement, practice forgiveness, and pursue a just and flourishing world’, using scripture, reflection, video, laughter, stories, coffee, prayer, small group work, chocolate biscuits and role play.

The course deliberately doesn’t focus on specific issues, and the words Gaza, race, tariffs, gender and Trump were hardly mentioned.  But somehow, the pain, the principles, the challenge and the complexity of conflict resolution, be it on the micro of our own household, church or work relationships, or on the macro of global politics and world affairs, were able to be addressed head on.  

One version of Psalm 85:10 reads, “Truth and mercy will embrace.  Justice and peace will kiss.”   One highlight came on our final evening together, when we spent 40 minutes on some small group work, which culminated in a role play where each of these four essential ingredients or enablers towards conflict resolution – truth, mercy, justice and peace - were brought together as four people in an interview format where they could state their case, plead their cause, press for a voice, all whilst learning how to listen to, respect and bend into each other, for the sake of reconciliation. 

What happens now?  Well, we are ready to repeat this course in its present form with specific churches, if requested, or to host it again with another group of cross confessional believers.  But we are also interested in contextualising it and offering it as a contribution towards the social cohesion of our town, i.e. through local authorities and other agencies.  

spheres

We long to see every Christian released to be good news in the whole of life, or spheres of life, in the Ipswich region: in Arts, Business and Workplace, Education, Family, Health, Media, Politics and Social Action and Sport.

The Christian community can take strategic action together in all of the spheres of life, to engage with and bless the Town of Ipswich. For example through tackling the Cost of Living Crisis, enabling welcome of Ukrainian guests and tackling challenge of providing affordable accommodation.

Together we can see transformation in all areas of life.
More about Spheres

Refugee, Asylum Seeking and Migration Sphere

In liaison with our local authorities and other civil partnerships, the Together for Ipswich acts as a bridge between the 80+ churches in town, and the local authority, civic and volunteer agencies, all for the well-being of the town's residents and society.  A growing number of our churches are supporting our refugee and asylum seeking communities, and working towards their integration into the town.
On the basis of my working knowledge of the Eastern Slavic region, my hands-on experience with various disaster and refugee responses around the world, and my love for seeing practical expressions of the One Church in a town, on the outbreak of the present conflict in Ukraine in March 2022, Together for Ipswich asked me to coordinate their Ukraine Response - now called our 'Refugee, Asylum Seeking and Migration Sphere' to reflect its growing involvement with other new-to-Ipswich communities.  
Our Ukraine page highlights some of the things we have been doing in the Ukraine Response, and the values that underpin those actions.

Alan Cutting
help is here

easy to find PRACTICAL HELP

'Help is Here' is a website that catalogues the social action programmes from all the churches and Christian charities in Ipswich to make the information easy to find and engage with. Watch the video here for more information of click one of the buttons below.
Web site List a new project 

facebook

Join the Together for Ipswich Facebook group where there is lots more information and chat about how Ipswich is coming together.
JOIN

A PRAYER FOR TOGETHER FOR IPSWICH

Liz Beaton

Father we thank you.

That you have brought us, Your Church in Ipswich, together at this time, uniting us in prayer and calling us to serve You as Your Body here.

Thank you that in the Bible we see the power of the Holy Spirit, the peace of Jesus, and the Blessing of the Father, released when your disciples are together. (John 20:19; Acts 2:1; Psalm 133)

Thank you that, gathering your disciples together, you gave them power and authority to go in your name and proclaim the kingdom, to bring healing and restoration, with your promise of protection. (Luke 9:1; Luke 10:19)

Thank you that we are being built together as members of One Body; that you are growing us in love for each other and for this place where you have called us to pray and work. (Eph 2:22; Eph 3:6; Eph 4:16;)

Send us out in the power of your Holy Spirit.

Make us truly one in heart and mind.

Teach us to pray;

That together we might serve you in humility and obedience, each playing our part, to see Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, lives transformed, and Ipswich alive in the plans and purposes you have for her. (Jeremiah 29:7,11; Phil 2:1-8; Matthew 6:10)

    working together with:

    Ipswich I'm In

    Link here to the outcomes of the two online conferences of 2021.

    Ipswich In Prayer

    "Across Ipswich there are many individuals, small groups and churches praying. Our aim is to serve the praying community in Ipswich, recognising our common purpose, as together we pray, ‘Your kingdom come, your will be done’."

    Inspiring Ipswich

    "Working together to inspire Ipswich through Church of England communities."