Update on Sunday Worship

Sunday 29th June 

Second Sunday after Trinity

Sunday
10:15 am  Benefice Service at St Bartholomew’s, Greens Norton  



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Dear all,

Occasionally, when evening meetings allow, I’ve been able to attend an Astronomy Society. I hope that when darker nights return, I’ll find time and space to set up my own telescope again. On these evenings people gathered, heard a talk, and mainly kept themselves to themselves or talked with their friends. It’s interesting to me that this is a normal experience in a secular setting but it's different in a church. People still expect to find a welcome, and a sense of community, in churches and this is a good thing.

Churches generally think that they are welcoming and would be surprised, and perhaps, offended if it was said that they are not. When away on annual leave, and visiting other churches, I have clear memories of times when I’ve been welcomed well and times when that has not been the case. A poor welcome was when the sidesmen were more interested in talking about internal church matters between themselves and eventually offered an Order of Service with no engagement. A good and effective Welcome, remembered well, was simply a smile, eye contact and a ‘Welcome, Good to see you’.  

On one occasion I was at evensong in a cathedral and noted that a good number of men, of a variety of ages, were present and worshipping alone. It was noteworthy because it can be the case that congregations contain more women than men these days. The welcome was simple and good, and I think it is true that in a larger space and gathering it is easier to take a place than in a smaller group. There are people who simply want to attend worship and not be ‘pounced on’ to join groups or the PCC ! At other times one can pick up the signals that someone is feeling themselves to be in an unfamiliar setting and would value a little guidance and reassurance. 

Research shows that someone coming to church for the first time makes up his/her mind in the first 4 to 8 minutes if they are coming back. Welcomers / Sidespeople play a key role in these important first minutes. Most congregations profess to want visitors to feel welcome, but many are unaware of how after church coffee can be cliquish and uninviting. When I lead Care Home services I think of the time as in two halves; the first is the service, and then the second is the fellowship during which I, and those helping, talk and engage with the residents.

A communion service can contain three kisses. Each kiss indicates where we meet Jesus. So you may see the presiding priest kiss the altar – we meet Jesus in the bread and wine of communion. The person reading the gospel may kiss the book at the end of the reading. We meet Jesus in the words of the gospel. And thirdly the kiss of peace though this is more often a handshake or wave in English services . We meet Christ in each other.

When we welcome another it is as if we are welcoming Jesus himself. And, in the words of a hymn; Brother sister let me serve you, let me be as Christ to you. May Christ be found in us, as we find Christ in others.

With every blessing,
Greg

Midsummer Music

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