“Back to Church” Sunday
At St.Mary’s church in Malpas, Newport, fifty three people came ‘Back to Church’ on Sunday 25th March 2007. At three of the four services that Sunday, guests arrived to be given a warm welcome, a ‘Guest Pack’ and an experience of the love and grace of God. The Vicar, Revd David Parfitt, said; ‘The day has been a great success, there was a sense of the joy of God in all our gatherings today and all our guests commented on the fact that they had experienced something very special, and would like to come again.’
Preparation began back in 2006 with a team of six people led by Mr David Wood (Diocesan Lay Evangelist). The team invited guests through posters in local places, by personal letter or by visiting those who had had baptisms or weddings in the past two years. Along with this, each church member personally invited friends and family to come along and see.
When ‘Back to Church’ Sunday arrived, the Sunday school had prepared a special creative program involving ‘biscuit making’ and the Mothers Union mobilized to provide scrumptious cakes and pastries for the refreshments. Time to chat and make friends took place after each of the services over tea and cake. The day most certainly involved the whole church.
At the end of the day David Parfitt said: “The ‘Back to Church’ Sunday idea has worked very well, especially in strengthening the church’s confidence about inviting guests as well as welcoming visitors. God has shown us a great deal about his faithfulness in using this idea, and it will help us plan to incorporate more regular ‘Guest Sundays’ into the church’s yearly program.
" It is well worth doing.”
For more information contact:
David Wood on 01633 790395, or David Parfitt on 01633 852047 / 852828.