Did you think nothing was happening with Churches Together?
We've got used to joint services, and a joint lent course - but is there anything else going on?
Last June we were given the challenge by Bruce Mouncey (Fresh Expressions Associate Minister) to look at all the mission work we do together and separately and to work out how it could be more effective. Since then every group has been looking at what it does, and trying to improve how it reaches out to those who don't normally come to church.
* Open the Book in three schools
* Luncheon Club
* Chat Room 4 Thursday
* Fun Club
* Youth Club
* Sunday t-Time
* Tuesday Methodist Open coffee Mornings
You may not see highly publicised activity, but (encouraged by Churches Together) each one of these groups is doing something more to expand the Kingdom of God, particularly to those who are not already members of the Church. We have a four - page document outlining progress, and we would be happy to provide a copy to anyone who is interested.
As well as that we have looked at suggestions made by members of the congregation in a questionnaire sent out in early 2009. A list of ten specific suggestions came out of that exercise, and we are looking particularly at re-introducing the Contact scheme, and setting up more informal coffee mornings. The other eight will follow!
We are sharing more and more what is going on in each Church in Sprotbrough, and are delighted at joint activities that are springing up.
So if you think nothing was happening, you we're wrong!
Barry Parker & Victor Hext
Churches Together in England is the national body set up by the churches in
1990, and has partner bodies in
Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Churches Together in Britain and Ireland is the
successor body to the British Council of Churches, and co-ordinates the work of
the four nations.
At a national level Churches Together in England has 30 Member Churches or
Councils of Churches and 27 Bodies in Association. Churches are also continuing
to develop ecumenical commitment locally and at intermediate (county) level.
Churches Together in England is a visible sign of the Churches' commitment as
they seek a deepening of their communion with Christ and with one another, and
proclaim the Gospel together by common witness and service. Its strength comes
from people from different traditions finding new ways to work and worship
together.
In 2000 the following Covenant was signed by all the Churches
Methodist Church, Sprotbrough St Edmunds, Sprotbrough
St John's Cadeby