Stoke Holy Cross is a church which is small in numbers but big in heart. Three members of this church attended the year-long mission shaped ministry course last year which gave them the confidence get together a small team to set up a Fresh Expressions church on the first Sunday afternoon of each month.
In our experience, good relationships are made whilst sharing good food! Together was inspired by the idea of sharing a good Tea together on a Sunday afternoon, at a time when the shops are closed and families are returning from their weekend activities. Our vision is to encourage people of the village to share tea as a family, so we can share the love of God with them.
Together was launched in February in our church hall in the centre of the village (the actual church is on the edge of the village).
Because the building only contains one hall with a small prayer room the activities were planned to utilise the space available. In order to launch the venture, posters were put up, small business sized cards were given out to people who were met in various situations and many others approached directly
Until now, Together has started with an ice-breaker team game, followed by a short talk on the theme of the day and then there has been a choice of two craft/interactive activities based loosely on this theme. Finally, after not much more than half an hour, everyone sits down together round small tables for tea. All these activities have taken place in the main hall. The prayer room is used as a quiet room and has variously been a place for lighting candles, floating petals in a bowl or tying pieces of wool onto a net, all based on talking to and listening to God. It has been a huge and exciting challenge with members of the team definitely stepping out of their comfort zones in many ways
The people who are coming are not necessarily those who were in mind when Together was set up and we are delighted that several have not been to church before. It has been amazing to see people from the village, both young and old lighting candles as a way of remembering people they care about.
There is clearly an ongoing need to continue to publicise Together in as many ways as possible but the most effective method is certainly by one to one personal invitation. It is felt the format needs to be as flexible as possible, so that this remains a Fresh Expression which adapts to the needs of those who attend, and is not what we think it should be!
We are still on a steep learning curve. Clearly all the teaching from msm has been a great benefit and encouragement but it is still no substitute for jumping in and getting on with it. The team members have found they are capable of giving short talks, running activities and doing everything else which is needed, because God provides for all our needs.
The course will run for a year over six Tuesday evenings, three Saturdays and one residential weekend and will be mainly based in Ashill near Watton. It will cost £250 per person (some support funding may be available if necessary).
