Press Release: Back to Church Sunday
September 24, 2009 by Andrew
On 27th September, up to half a million people across the country will be inviting someone special to church with them for Back to Church Sunday. Every diocese in the Church of England and many other churches besides are taking part in the initiative this year, by encouraging churchgoers to invite someone they know who used to attend church to come back. Churches will focus on extending an even warmer welcome than usual on the day.
Earlier this week, The Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Reading spoke about the need for the Church to be truly welcoming: “Even today I meet people who think you have to be highly educated or suited and booted to be a person who goes to church. That’s so frustrating. How did it come to this, that we have become known as just the Marks and Spencer option when in our heart of hearts we know that Jesus would just as likely be in the queue at Asda or Aldi? Jesus got us started with church simply. Like this: sitting us down in groups on the grass and telling simple stories. Not simplistic. But certainly not complicated. All his first disciples were down-to-earth people who wanted to know what life was all about.”
Churches in Plymouth are no exception and are keen to be welcoming to whomever may come. Both St. Andrew’s Church and Plymouth Christian Centre taking part. Geoff Lee, Lead Pastor at Plymouth Christian Centre in Cattedown said “It’s amazing how many people in Plymouth used to go the church. We’re just happy to be able to open our doors once again to any who wish to come back.”
People may stop coming to church for all sorts of reasons, sometimes as simple as moving house and getting out of the habit. Often, all they need is an invitation to come back and Back to Church Sunday offers the perfect opportunity to return. Speaking of this initiative, Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury added “The Church’s responsibility to welcome all comers isn’t, of course, restricted to one Sunday in the year! But this Sunday in particular prompts us to do a better job of saying to people that we are truly glad to see newcomers and they always have a right to be part of the family.”
Anyone wanting to give church another try this weekend is sure of a warm welcome at any of the following services.
St. Andrew’s Church, Royal Parade:
9.30am Communion, 11.00am Family Service, 6.30pm Informal Service
Plymouth Christian Centre, Cattedown Roundabout:
9:15am Service, 11.00am Family Service, 7.00pm Service with Cafe afterwards.
Mutley Baptist Church, Mutley Plain:
9.00am Morning Worship, 10.30am Family Service, 6.30pm Informal Service
Methodist Central Hall, Eastlake St. (behind Drake Circus Mall):
11.00am Worship, 7.00pm Sunday Night at the Hall.