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The Hive came into being at the end of 2020, directly in response to the turbulence the Christian church was experiencing due to the pandemic. The core team of four are all drawn to creative expressions of faith and felt called to offer opportunities for well-being activities and to open up new pathways to God. Our purpose at The Hive is to provide programmes of creativity, spirituality and well-being and we welcome people of all faiths and none. The programmes are built on our own skills and interests and span a spectrum which includes yoga, walking, singing, history, poetry, the natural world, Celtic spirituality, retreat days, play-reading and music for body, mind and soul. Like the universe, our scope is continuously expanding as we invite others to share their stories and passions!
The Hive is located in the rural Norfolk village of Great Cressingham, in a small Methodist church which has lost its society. The options were to close the building and put it up for sale or to keep it open and give it a new purpose. Two of the core team were already on the Methodist Pioneering Pathways programme and this framework has given us some support and impetus in developing The Hive. Meeting regularly on Zoom with other pioneers from around the country helps to shape the vision for The Hive and for other like-minded initiatives and also contributes to the connexional drive towards future church.
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[L-R: Geraldine Allen / Susan Jones / Sonia Hicks / Sarah Rodgers / David Jones]
In May 2022, we welcomed the President of Conference, Revd Sonia Hicks, to The Hive and gave her a taster of some of our activities, including a bare-foot walk through the labyrinth mowed into the grass of the grounds around The Hive.
Over the past four years, community at The Hive has grown in shape and character. We are not particularly interested in numbers, but for those who are, we are a ‘new place for new people’ and have welcomed to our programmes, well over 300 people from a wide catchment, most of whom are not church-based and many of whom return for multiple activities.
Here are just a few of their comments:
“Thank you so much for yesterday's poetry and music. It was inspiring, joyous and wonderfully different.”
“I found it releasing and refreshing coming to The Hive. It felt like 'me' time or rather time for me and God.”
“I had the time of my life on Saturday afternoon! How wonderful to sing my heart out at long last!”
“Thought provoking and very enjoyable, thank you everyone.”
The Hive is governance-lite with a volunteer team and a flat structure. There are no bosses, just people willing to take responsibility where it is needed. A small support group provides accountability to circuit who own the building and who have agreed to our exercising stewardship in whatever way is appropriate and effective. All activities at The Hive are offered free of charge. Donations have been generous and help to support the programmes.
We are not aiming for a particular demographic or seeking a constituency. We are simply building community by offering to, and sharing with, whoever is brought, sent, or finds their way to us. At the heart of all we do is the pursuit of listening – listening to, listening for, and listening with – God, one another and all who participate.
Find out more on our facebook page - /GreatCressinghamHive
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Revd Julian Pursehouse presents “Poetry and Music for a Summer’s Day” at The Hive in July 2024.