Back to Church Sunday

September 28th

Now who am I going to invite this year?

 

There are many reasons why people stop going to Church, or go less often than they used to. Many of them would like to come back – sometimes they just need some friendly encouragement. Back to Church Sunday is an initiative that started in 2004 in Manchester, and it was so successful that this year 38 Church of England  Dioceses are taking part, plus several other denominations.

It is a simple idea: to invite someone to come with you to Church on a particular Sunday.

In September, invitation cards will be available in both St Bridget’s and Caldy Churches; please take one (or several!), pray about it, then fill it in, inviting someone to come with you to Parish Communion at 10am on Sunday 28th September.

 

Here are some suggestions for people you could invite:

 

·        A relative, friend, neighbour or work colleague

·        Someone who has moved into this area recently

·        Someone who attends only at Christmas

·        Someone who came to a baptism, wedding or funeral recently, or attended events for the Appeal or Centenary

·        Someone who used to attend regularly, but is drifting away

·        Someone who fell out with the Church – give us another chance!

·        Parents or grandparents of Sunday Club children

·        Yourself!  No need to wait for an invitation – come along anyway


QUESTIONS ABOUT BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY

Q   Will it be the usual kind of Service?

A  Yes. Our worship is lively, reflective, spacious, intelligent and prayerful. This is what we want to share with others. But we will be making an effort to do it well, to make sure it is straightforward to follow, and to make our visitors feel at ease.

 

 Q   Is it OK to invite someone who isn’t confirmed?

 A     Yes. If people are not communicants, they can to come forward for a blessing, or stay in their seat during Communion, just as they like.

 

Q   Is it OK to bring children?

A Yes. Primary age children can choose between staying with us in Church and joining in with the Sunday Club in the Church Centre. The Club comes in for a blessing at the end. For younger ones, see Richard Holme’s article elsewhere in this magazine.

 

Q   What about people who have not been to Church before?

A   By all means invite them, but be aware that the service will be unfamiliar, so look after them well.

 

Q   Will there be refreshments?

A  Yes. The Social Committee is organising after-service refreshments in St Bridget’s Church, and at Caldy there will be refreshments in the Hall. A good opportunity to meet people, ask questions, and  look at displays.

 

Q   Can you help with lifts to Church?

A   Probably - speak to one of the B2CS Committee (below).

 

Q  What can I do to help?

A   Pray about the service, make useful suggestions to the committee, help people to feel at ease during and after the service. Show that we are a community worth joining, that has a treasure worth sharing. We hope that friendships will grow, and that many of our visitors will come to feel they belong. Harvest Festival is the following week – try inviting them to Harvest Thanksgiving and the Supper!

 

                   Committee:   Mary Lynch, Tina Upton, Jenny Cooper, John Smith,

                                      Priscilla Bench-Capon, Elspeth McPherson

 

  

 

                                                  Priscilla Bench-Capon

                                                  September 2008