All Saints Church and the parish of Sedgeley and Gornal, are one of our renewal projects which has received funding from the national church as part of our priority to ensure that each major area of population has at least one larger healthy and sustainable church by 2030 - one with at least 150 people attending in an average week.
Why All Saints Church in Sedgeley?
All Saints Church in Sedgeley is a 900-year-old parish church located centrally in a growing community of 28,000 people. The good relationships the church already has with local primary schools and the proximity of two secondary schools as well as it’s already active Baptism ministry for local families in the area means there are lots of opportunities to engage local families and younger generations.
Vision
Renewal Leader Dianne Cooksey has a strong vision for this renewal prioritising relationships, hospitality and discipleship. By 2030 Diane hopes that All Saints Church in Sedgeley will be an inclusive, welcoming and vibrant Christian hub for all generations, creating a sense of belonging and building on its existing outreach successes to meet the wider community’s needs, making the church a sanctuary not just of worship, but of healing and connection. Through intentional engagement, All Saints Church will serve as a nurturing environment for individuals at every stage of life to experience God's love and grow into lifelong disciples.
Plans
The main areas of focus will be:
- Baptism Follow-Up events and Pastoral Care
- School Partnerships and Presence
- Welcome resources, preparatory courses and Faith Exploration
- Inclusive Worship and the formation of New Worshipping Communities (NWCs)
The church will also build on its existing successes such as Noah's Ark stay-and-play, youth drop-ins, and after-school clubs, strengthening its outreach to become a Place of Welcome and Bereavement Hub.
Team
Diane Cooksey, former primary school teacher and Area Dean was installed in May 2025 and will be leading this renewal project. Initially two key roles she plans to recruit will be:
- Operation Manager
- Children, Youth, and Families Missioner - to help Diane reach out to under 18s and families and her establish New Worshipping Communities
Building Works
Building works are yet to be finalised but some enhancement will be needed to ensure the church can be a useful hub for the community and provide spaces for intergenerational worship.