Diocese of York / News & events / News

This week we are sharing a story from St Philip’s, Bilton Grange, which is part of the growing story of generosity from St Mary’s Cottingham.

Sam Moore worships at St Philip’s and is part of the East Hull Stepping Up group. Sam was confirmed just a few weeks ago by Bishop Alison, a long awaited celebration of her faith due to the pandemic. You can read Sam’s story here.

Sam describes St Philip’s:

“My church is on Bilton Grange, you can’t miss it, people walk and drive past all the time, on the school run, going shopping, it’s in the centre of our community.”

Being Open is central to the values of St Phillip’s:

Centred on God - through prayer and worship
Open to each other - building a real community and family together.
Valuing each person - encouraging and giving everybody opportunity to use their gifts.
Open to You - working with the people of Bilton Grange and beyond.

Even during lockdown, the church continued to have an open heart to the community, supporting people through the food pantry and families with activity packs.

Sam’s experience of the church being open and welcoming to her, was the beginning of her journey with God, and now she is growing in her gifts to help the church be open and welcoming to others.

Sam especially wants to share God’s love with other families and children, and is exploring what will this look like as part of her Stepping Up journey. We are praying with her to discover how God wants to use her gifts as the church opens up more fully after lockdown.

The generous hearts of people at St Mary’s join with the open hearts of the people of St Phillip’s in sharing God’s love in Bilton Grange.