A CHURCH parish in Bournemouth is looking to make the most of an “unprecedented opportunity” to reach out to the community it serves in the face of austerity.

The Parish of Winton, Moordown and Charminster has announced new worship arrangements for Sunday services, which are going to be introduced from January.

Eucharist will take place each week at 10am at St John’s, in Moordown, and St Luke’s, in Winton, but the service at St Alban’s will cease.

This will be replaced by a weekly Sunday 8am eucharist in St Alban’s lounge.

A public letter to the parish from the ministry team said through due unviable financial situation “difficult and painful” decisions had to made.

However, the ministry says the change “sends a strong message that we are not intending to close any church, all will be needed to deliver our mission”.

Alongside the earlier eucharist, St Alban’s will continue to offer the wide range of community mission work.

This action includes providing meals and beds for those who are rough sleeping, support for refugees and a community choir for Linwood School students, staff and families.

Pioneer Minister Revd James Sharp said: “We want to focus on the opportunity we have to reach out and share the love and light of God and our encouraged by the future,

“At the same time we want to give the people of St Alban’s the chance to vent their frustration and sorrow.

“We have an unprecedented opportunity to reach out.”

The parish is currently without a Rector and the ministry are hoping to advertise for this role in the new year.