Community stalwarts to step aside after 26 years of service

Two community stalwarts who have played a key role in leading a church and community space in the heart of Melksham are set to step down next month after 26 years of service. 

John and Sharon Firth, co-pastors of GoodNews Church, which operates at ‘that meeting space’ in the Market Place, will step aside on 9th April to allow a new leadership team to take charge. 

“We have our 70th birthdays in April and May and feel it’s now time to let the next generation come in and take over,” explained Sharon. “The leadership team are a group of local people who will be taking on the day to day running of the church, services and administration of ‘that meeting space.’” 

John and Sharon moved to Melksham in 1998 after living in America, where they received a calling to return to England to establish a church.  

Upon moving to Melksham and after speaking with Keith Williamson, who was leading the church in the town hall, they felt certain this was the town for their mission. “He told us he’d been praying ‘for a man to take over my church,’ which confirmed the message we’d received,” said John. 

GoodNews Church was officially launched in October 1999, initially meeting at the town hall. After the pandemic, the church moved to ‘that meeting space,’ which has since become a hub for community groups, including craft and art groups, singing groups, and carers’ cafes. 

“One of the highlights over the years has been bringing the churches together. We have a passion for facilitating and bringing Christians together,” says Sharon. “Part of this was ‘healing on the streets’ which saw people come to the Market Place and sit in seats outside to pray. This is an initiative which has now extended into the weekly Healing Cafe.”  

Before the pandemic, GoodNews Church regularly welcomed around 70 people, though, like many churches, numbers have fluctuated since the lockdown. “It has been hard for all churches since the pandemic but we’d say that nearly half of all the members who come now have joined us since the pandemic,” said John. 

It was four years ago that they both made the decision to retire and shared the news with the congregation. “We wanted to give the community a chance to get used to it. We are not disappearing completely and will still be in Melksham and involved; just not involved with the leadership side of things. We will be sad to leave but it’s time for the new leadership team to take things on.” 

Despite John and Sharon stepping aside, all community groups and meetings will continue to run at ‘that meeting space.’ 

Pictured: Sharon and John outside the red doors of GoodNews Church