Norfolk Christian women's group marks 20 years

Norfolk Christian women's group Zoe was established nearly 20 years ago, and will be celebrating two decades of friendship, growth and answered prayer. 

In the early 2000s, Karen Joyce helped to lead a thriving group of about 50 women, but unfortunately the group folded. Karen said, “It was heartbreaking.  I felt a real need for these women. I prayed about it, spoke to husband and spoke to another leader and decided to start up a group more central to Norwich.” 

The first meeting of the Zoe group was supposed to be held at the Mount Zion family life centre in Norwich on February 21st 2006, however there was a huge fire the day before and the church burnt down. A room was hurriedly secured at St Luke’s, which is where the first meeting was held with seven people attending.  The group grew in number and continued to meet at St Lukes until 2013.  

When Witard Road Baptist Church finished their building, the group relocated there and continues to meet weekly at the church on Tuesdays during term time. 

The name ‘Zoe’ is a Greek word meaning ‘fullness of life of Christ in me’ Karen said, “This is what we wanted it to be for the women. There's a different dimension when women meet together. This is a safe space, a place where you’ll be fed. You can share with one another. It’s a real special time and there's space for you to come and be yourself.”  

Meetings start with worship followed by coffee and cake and social time. Then the group comes back together to listen to a speaker followed by a time of ministry and opportunity for prayer. There are typically 50 women attending each week with 60 or more on the books.

The Zoe group is outward-focused, and gets involved with many missions, such as sponsoring two children through Compassion, the Hope and Light school in South Africa, plus local charities Time Norfolk and the Magdalen Group. 

Karen has written a book about the 20 years of Zoe, drawing from her own memories and those of her fellow leaders, which will be published next year during the group’s anniversary year. Karen doesn’t take credit for the success of the group. She said, “It’s led by the Holy Spirit. It’s all God’s and it’s all down to Him. I don’t take credit for it; I thank Him for it.” 

Get Involved 

Zoe meets every Tuesday during term time 9.30am - 12.30pm 

Zoe Spring conference 

Tuesday April 21st 9.30am - 4.30pm 

Witard Road Baptist Church NR7 9XD 

Speaker: Ruthie Gilbert 

£28 for tea, coffee, lunch and cake 

https://zoegroup.co.uk/ karen@zoegroup.co.uk