Israel, Lydia, Florence, Mary and Tom leading a time of 'Praise and Worship'.
I am very privileged to be part of an Ecumenical team, which we call an LEP (Local Ecumenical Partnership) and through this I worship and minister alongside Revd David Pearson at Christ Church. David & I have been working together now for nearly five years and in that time we have seen quite a change in our congregation. Christ Church is on an estate called Thames View, which is only 50 years old and was originally white indigenous people, but now it is home to people from all over the world - Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Eastern Europe, Congo and the list goes on. We are delighted that our congregation reflects the neighbourhood and so we now have a very interesting congregation.
David & I decided to help everyone we would all start wearing name badges - this has gone down a treat and the change in the atmosphere on a Sunday is overwhelming. Not that people were not friendly before!!! but somehow wearing your name has made communication a lot easier and has also encouraged regular attendance.
The Church Council decided to go one step further and hold a 'Brunch' inviting everyone to bring a dish from their Country - well that was today and what success it was. We held it at 11.00 just after the Communion Service and just before the Family Service in order that we could also engage both congregations to meet and eat with each other.
7 comments:
Name tags are a good idea. I wish people would ALWAYS wear them. It's embarrassing to forget a name. Your brunch idea was a success.
I'll bet all those multi-national dishes were delicious! Hope you're having a peaceful Sunday.
I love the idea of having everyone bring a dish from their country- how fun!
Ah yes, we did this once in church, but rather than a dish from your own country (we are 99% Northern Irish - that's a lot of potatoes to eat!) people who had worked with churches abroad on any kind of mission had to bring a dish from THAT country.
I still have fenugreek in the cupboard from that, and no - I can't for the life of me think what dish I made that had it in it!
Name tags make it far more easier to communicate. I should have been wearing one this morning. Read my blog for the details.
What a unique idea,It is wonderful that you are able to be a part of this work. have a great day.
Blessings,
Sue
Fantastic! How wonderful to be part of such a vibrant and positive community - and I bet the bruch was delicious! Fab idea Judith, and thanks for your commnet on my blog - I'm glad you like my drawings the way they are, because that's how they are!! Thank you!
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