A weekly community coffee morning at All Saints Church in Woodchurch is developing into a worshipping community with the introduction of dedicated prayer time.
The community event regularly brings together over 40 members of the community to socialise, enjoy fo
od and drinks, and younger visitors can play with toys and table football.
Rector of the Denswood Benefice, The Rev Sue Rose explained:
"We used to say a short prayer towards the end of the morning. However, our curate The Rev Maria Stuttaford thought about providing a time for prayer in the chapel each week. We announce prayer time and change from the lively background music to something a little more reflective. It has been wonderful to see how people have responded to this opportunity to be led in gentle prayer, and we often have around 10-12 people taking part."
The group has a number of people who do not attend other church services and some members have started to attend Sunday services since joining the prayer group.
Rev Rose continued: "We have have noticed people attending some of our other services and events too…we are waiting to see what the Holy Spirit will do next in our church community."
This community event aligns with our diocesan Three Bold Outcomes, particularly the aim to grow 200 new Christian communities by 2030.
Our three bold outcomes are our shared vision for 2030, with each parish discerning and committing to their 'Three Things' that will move us towards that future.
From the parish responses submitted through our Three Things planning, clear themes have been emerging with local mission and community engagement among the strongest.
Many parishes are using community spaces and events as opportunities for evangelism and discipleship, something that is working well for the All Saints, Woodchurch community coffee morning and could be replicated by other parishes.