WhatsApp Community

We're starting a WhatsApp Community! WhatsApp communities are a way to gather and organise existing and future WhatsApp groups that all come under Holy Trinity Gateshead. This will include things like Home Groups, Women's Fellowship, serving teams, leaders chats and any other aspects of church life. Below we've tried to answer some questions you might have.

Why are we doing this?

We're building a WhatsApp community to help the church family join groups that are relevant to them, to allow for quick messaging and notices through the announcement group; and to bring a level of accountability and oversight to WhatsApp groups that are part of church life at Holy Trinity Gateshead.

How does it work?

When you join the community, you will automatically be added to an announcement group and you will remain in any existing group chats that have been added into the community. Only community admins are able to post in the announcement group, but all other group chats under the community will function as they normally would. Some groups will be hidden and you will be added to them, if appropriate e.g a Home Group. Some groups will be visible and you will be able to request to join them (e.g the HTG men's group).

For more details about how communities work, you can have a look at the WhatsApp website here.

Who can see my personal details?

If you are a member of a group within the community, members of that group will be able to see your name, phone number and profile picture in the groups settings as they would normally. Only members of that group can see the messages that are sent within it.

Within the wider community and announcement group, nobody except community admins (HTG Staff Team) and those who have previously saved your number in their contacts will be able to see your name, your phone number and your profile picture in the community members page and announcement group.

How do I join?

If you are already part of an HTG WhatsApp group e.g a Home Group, they will be brought into the community by the admins. You will automatically be put into an announcement group, and you can request to join any other visible groups that are relevant to you.

If you are not currently part of any HTG chats but would like to join the community you can request to join here.

What are the rules?

All communication should be respectful, relevant and appropriate.
It's advised that you should not share sensitive personal data or confidential information through WhatsApp groups containing people you do not know in
You must be 13 to join the community (as per WhatsApp guidelines) but you must be 18 to join any chats. Parents of youth who are serving will be added to any group chats on their behalf.
You can find our WhatsApp policy below which lays out the expectations and guidelines for our WhatsApp community.

HTG WhatsApp Community Policy - June 2026

Am I able to leave or opt out?

Yes you can leave individual groups and the community at any point. If you leave the community, you will also automatically leave any of your group chats and the announcement group. You cannot leave the announcement group unless you also leave the community.

There is not obligation to join the community, but you cannot be part of a group chat that is under the community without being a community member.

08/07/2026

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday.

Where and When

We meet at the church building (details here) for our Sunday Services starting at 10am and 4pm. For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early to ensure you get a parking space and find somewhere to sit before the service begins. When you arrive, you should be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team who will be wearing a Welcome lanyard.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There are disabled toilets just off the main foyer.

Our Services

The main services begins at 10am or 4pm with a warm welcome from one of the service leaders. The service will include several songs and hymns, someone praying out loud and reading passages from the bible. We share news and notices, usually about what’s going on in the life of the church. One of our leaders will give a talk that is bible based and that we can apply to our everyday life. We then finish with a final song.

Service 1 - COPY

What about my kids?

We have a great programme lined up for kids of all ages:

Creche (0 months to 2.5 years). Children under 6 months are welcome but must be accompanied by their parent/carer at all times.
Scramblers (2.5 years old - 4 years old)
Climbers (Reception-Y2)
Explorers (Y3-Y6)
JAM (Y7-Y9) runs at our 10am Service
Ignite (Y7-Y13) runs after our 4pm Service
ARC (14-18's) Stay in service.

Children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service for the first 10-15 minutes. We really value worshipping God all together as a family. Someone will announce when it’s time for the younger members to go to their various groups. You will need to go with your children to their groups and register them as part of our child safety policy. Whilst you are dropping your kids off at their groups, we pause to take time to chat to someone sitting near or next to us, giving folk a chance to come back before the rest of the service continues.

Children 1 - COPY

The kids group activities vary depending on the age but usually there is a friendly welcome, bible stories, praying, music, craft, drama, fun games and free play. Please pick your children up as soon as the service finishes.

Getting Connected

Small Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some mid-week mornings and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team.

Connect 1 - COPY

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.

A note from our minister


Chris Houghton Senior Minister

We love meeting new people here at Holy Trinity church and we can't wait to meet you and help you to discover the joy of knowing Jesus Christ for yourself. We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.

Best Wishes,
Chris