First, there will be the obvious changes - a MUCH bigger screen, more space, comfier seats, improved lighting and - yes - more pram parking! There will also be space beside the seats just for your hard-copy Bible, so bring it along.

The extra comfort is a wonderful gift, but it comes with a gentle warning because comfy seats in a cinema can easily make it feel like we are just an audience. But when we gather, we aren’t consumers watching something happen at the front, we are participants - members of Christ’s body who gather to sing, pray, listen, serve, welcome and encourage one another.

With that in mind, we’ve also designed the new space so that we can stay together in the cinema after the service until 11am. So, rather than heading straight to the foyer, stick around inside the cinema. Meet someone new, catch up with someone and enjoy the space together.

Also, although we’ve prepared carefully, there will almost certainly be a few kinks to iron out. Thank you in advance for bringing patience, flexibility and plenty of grace as we settle into our new home.

Romans 8 tells us that the Spirit gives us life, brings us into God’s family, leads us, helps us in our weakness and will one day raise us into glory. As Paul writes, “those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (Romans 8:14).

Across the term, we’ll explore how the Spirit opens our eyes, transforms our lives, empowers our service and awakens our worship. This is the normal Christian life - knowing the presence and power of God’s Spirit as we follow Jesus together.

More than 1,000 deaths have been confirmed, with estimates suggesting the toll could exceed 15,000. Entire communities have been destroyed and many families have lost everything. Tragically, Narayan himself (a pastor friend of Pete's) has lost around 20 members of his extended family.

Please keep Nepal in your prayers, but if you would like to help financially, send your funds to DC tagged as "NEPAL" and we will send these funds directly to Narayan, who will distribute the support among the affected families.

Scripture encourages us to “do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10). This is a tangible opportunity for us to do exactly that.

For some time, DC has been part of two networks - the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC) and A29 (Acts 29). In some ways, it has felt like holding dual citizenship, and a percentage of our giving has been supporting both organisations. So, after long and careful consideration, we have decided to resign our membership of FIEC.

We’re thankful for FIEC and the part it has played in our story, but this decision gives us the freedom to explore whether another affiliation might be a better fit for DC’s future - particularly as we continue thinking seriously about church planting, partnership and wise governance.

As independent churches, many of our A29 brothers and sisters in Christ (like Nations Church) already belong to other affiliations. Our conversations with them are providing us with much wisdom as we actively explore the options available to us.

You won't notice a change in our theology or day-to-day operations, but we do want to approach this next step carefully, prayerfully and transparently - seeking partnerships that will serve the mission God has given us and help us use our shared resources wisely.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask one of our Elders.

One of the ways we’re investing in deeper discipleship is through our upcoming Discipleship Leaders’ Retreat, from 15–17 October.

We’ll be heading to the coast for a few days of fellowship, prayer and encouragement with our Discipleship Leaders. It’s an opportunity for those who regularly pour into others to be refreshed, strengthened and refuelled for the season ahead.

Our leaders play an important part in helping us live out the call to “encourage one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13) - and every member of a discipleship group can share in that work.

You can help support them by simply turning up and participating in your own discipleship group. You can also be in prayer for your Discipleship Leader - encourage them with the gospel, send them a message to say thank you, or even surprise them with a small gift.

Let’s care well for those who care for us, as together we pursue a deeper relationship with Jesus and with one another.