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New discussion: Is Christ Church going to participate in Back to Church Sunday?
ReplyDeleteSunday 12 September
Back to Church Sunday is an outreach initiative which began in the Diocese of Manchester, England in 2004 and is going from strength to strength. It is based on an old and simple concept, which we know well - invite someone you know to come to Church with you, whether it’s ‘back’ or for the first time. Back to Church Sunday does not mean that you do anything out of the ordinary on that day – you do not create a worship experience that you cannot replicate next week when people come again, or sell yourself as something you are not. It does, however, invite a helpful review of how welcoming your place and your worship are right now.
As a Diocese we participated in this outreach last year, on an ‘opt in’ basis, and around 40 ministry units took part, with positive feedback. Feedback included the useful prompt to review how hospitable our Church facilities are, how welcoming our worship is, an appreciation of the simple encouragement to invite a friend to come to Church and the challenge of doing so.
Along with three other denominations, this year all 7 New Zealand Dioceses are taking part, most on an ‘opt out’ basis. Our Diocesan Council has decided that, as a Diocese, we will participate in this mission initiative again, this year also on ‘opt out’ basis. To facilitate this, the Diocese will pay half of the registration fee, reducing it to $25 per parish.
You will receive a separate mailing with full details, including information on how to order a poster pack and specially printed invitation cards, suggestions for things to pay attention to in preparation, and details for payment. It will also include information on how to ‘opt out’, should your parish not wish to participate.
Mark the diary now for Sunday 12 September 2010, or another close to it if that doesn’t work for you, and start thinking of who to invite!
The Reverend Jo Kelly-Moore
On behalf of Auckland Diocesan Council.