AROUND 100 people gathered at Park Baptist Church in Great Yarmouth recently to celebrate the third anniversary of the establishment of a Portuguese congregation.

AROUND 100 people gathered at Park Baptist Church in Great Yarmouth recently to celebrate the third anniversary of the establishment of a Portuguese congregation.

Those present included members of the English and Portuguese-speaking congregations at Park, and a contingent from the Portuguese congregation at Dereham Baptist Church. The service was led by Rev Leda Schofield, associate pastor at Park.

A music group from Dereham led the gathering in bilingual worship; Louise and Joe Liddament, members at Park, gave a brief history of the Portuguese congregation; and Pastor George Damasceno from Dereham brought a message reminding everyone the ultimate purpose of church is encourage people to seek God.

Refreshments afterwards including some Portuguese specialties

The Portuguese congregation was established in 2006 as a means of supporting the many Portuguese speakers in Yarmouth. It has seen many encouragements, including the baptism of four members in 2008.

In June a full time Portuguese speaking pastor, Leda Schofield, was appointed to develop the work, and the congregation has grown in recent months. A cr�che run by members of the English congregation during the Portuguese service

The Portuguese congregation currently meets every Sunday at 4pm. From January 16 the service time will change to Saturdays at 6.30pm. Portuguese speakers are welcome.