Successful launch for Norwich cafechurch

2010: Cafechurch had a successful launch at Costa Coffee on London Street, Norwich when over 40 people from across Norwich and Norfolk joined together for carols, a Christmas quiz and coffee in this new initiative to help the church to engage with the local community. Lesley Henery reports.
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There was a lovely atmosphere at the first Norwich cafechurch event on Sunday 12 December. Local churches worked together to host the event, which was fun and relaxed and drew in Christmas shoppers who enjoyed the music, coffee and quiz.

Cafechurch will take place once a month in Norwich and the idea is for Christians to invite friends, family, neighbours and work colleagues – anyone wanting to talk about issues that matter to them, but who would not necessarily go to a ‘normal’ church service. Often church is seen as being out of touch and boring. Cafechurch seeks to change all that.

Cafechurch gives people an opportunity to meet in a relaxed atmosphere to look at issues, such as the environment, debt, stress and relationships, from a Christian perspective.

There was a good mix of people from local churches with their friends and people passing by who appreciated the welcome and cup of coffee at the event last month. One couple who dropped in en route to the cathedral said, "We were drawn in by the singing."

Musical accompaniment was provided by Keith Lilley on accordion and Tim Hughes on piano. Duane Elkins hosted the event and Neil Henery was quiz master.

The next cafechurch is on Sunday 16 January at 4.30pm when the theme for the evening will be ‘New Year, New You.’ Life coach Simon Delf will give a short talk and there’ll be plenty of time for discussion.

Come along and bring your non-Christian friends. It promises to be an interesting and enjoyable evening.

The concept of a church in a café could be coming to Norwich soon with interest already raised and the prospect of a training event being planned. Lesley Henery reports.
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Cafechurch is an exciting new venture springing up across the UK. The idea, led by Rev Cid Latty and the Cafechurch Network, originated in Christchurch Baptist, Welwyn Garden City two years ago. Currently there are over 50 cafechurches in towns and cities across the UK. Norwich could be next!

Once a month, cafechurch take over the local coffee shop and host an event for the local community. Costa Coffee are keen to build links with the local community and are encouraging churches to set up a cafechurch in their UK stores, although alternative venues can be used.

All are welcome at cafechurch – it’s an opportunity for the church to engage with the local community. To invite friends, family, neighbours and work colleagues – anyone wanting to talk about issues that matter to them, but who would not necessarily go to a ‘normal’ church service.

Cafechurch gives people an opportunity to meet in a relaxed atmosphere to look at issues, such as the environment, debt, stress and relationships, from a Christian perspective.

Each event is relaxed and informal with quizzes, interviews, discussion, live music, great coffee and good conversation! What an exciting way of bringing people together, to discover more about God. Often church is seen as being out of touch and boring. Cafechurch seeks to change all that.

The Cafechurch Network has a responsibility to train and resource churches nationwide. They hold regular training days and once churches have attended a cafechurch training day, the Cafechurch Network will link them to their local store and resource them to begin cafechurch events. The vision of the Cafechurch Network is a big one, 'One day we will see a cafechurch on every high street in every town, village and city.'

How exciting is that? We are keen to work with other churches and/or individuals to make cafechurch a reality and would love to hear from you. We are also looking at the possibility of hosting a training day in Norwich.

If you are interested in being involved, please contact Duane Elkins or myself at New Hope Christian Centre, (01603) 617905 or e-mail the church office jenny.nhcc@virgin.net.

To find out more about cafechurch check out: www.cafechurch.net

Tags: cafechurch, Costa Coffee, norwich

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	jean (Guest)	12/02/2010 05:34
Thought we had something called the kings centre? but a good idea, hopefully open early so could drop in for some good news before going to work please keep us informed.
	Brian the bored (Guest)	12/02/2010 14:19
I have just met a Christian in a launderette. It was so enjoyable that we considered starting the Church in a launderette movement. Please tell us if you think this is a good idea. If it catches on we could have the Church in the Park, or the Church in the Vet`s` or the Church in the Pub in fact anywhere we like. We would never have to "go" to church again, Hooray. Anywhere we meet would be the Church yes??? Ahh just a minute what if others decided to do the same at different times and we never met or maybe did not agree on certain matters? That would be a bit confusing. What if we had an ethical issue with the owners of the venue or those that meet liked to sing and some liked to be quiet. Who would be the leader? On reflection it`s probably a dumb idea. Ahh well suppose I had better keep "going to church". Don`t` want anyone thinking thatI am truly bored that would not be good.
	Matthew Newton (Guest)	12/02/2010 18:19
Thank God that some of His flock have the courage and foresight to 'step outside' of conventional thinking to develop new ways to reach the lost. Let us never forget that WE are the church, not that ornate building we go to on Sundays. Did Jesus only preach the gospel in a church on a Sunday! I think not! The most important thing is that people hear the truth, not where it is heard! Praise God that He makes Himself accessible anywhere WE are most comfortable at accessing Him!
	Brian the bored (Guest)	12/02/2010 18:52
Yes Matthew so if I talk to someone at the bustop or while walking in the street about the Lord and they believe where do I send them or take them if the place where I am meeting is not meeting my need and I sometimes feel worse for going. Am I alone in feeling like this?? I have been to loads of fellowships and I like the Christians I meet there but it`s` always The Sunday set and you can`t` even talk about the Lord after because they look at you sideways if you don`t go along with the group as a whole. After we are saved what then? Go to church and be a good christian wait to die and go to heaven? No wonder church attendance is falling by the month. The only ones that seem to be growing numerically are filled with crazy youngsters pogoing in a mosh pit. Is that the new way to worship God? My hip and knee replacements would not fare too well.
	Caroline (Guest)	13/02/2010 09:53
Hey Brian, You mention church in a variety of places and I thought I would mention that my church already meets in the park on some Sundays and in a pub midweek just because God wants us to love each other and spend time with each other in whatever setting. When we go to the park we may or may not be praying or singing or whatever but actually there is more to peoples lives than that and it is great to be able to engage with the whole person no matter where they're at. The church service in the pub is so informal that people frequently bring their friends because they feel comfortable. Having a drink in a pub is well within the average secular man's comfort zone and if it just so happens that there is music on (like there would be at a karioke or open mic night) or someone talking for 15-20mins about something interesting and thought provoking then all the more entertainment with the pint in front of you. It goes really well so I don't see why this scheme wouldn't as well. With being unsatisfied with church- it seems as though the main problem you have is with having an alternative opinion that gets sideways looks. - is this right? Have you considered that others might feel the same way but that they are too scared to express their opinions as well. Perhaps you could instigate a discussion forum or Alpha equivanent in the church to get people expressing what they really think and feel about things- getting likeminked people to open up and discuss things might be quite liberating for you and others with similar thoughts.
	Brian the bored (Guest)	13/02/2010 11:25
Thank you Caroline for thinking about me. I want to study the bible and grow in my relationship with Jesus. I have not got many years ahead of me and I am growing more and more frustrated and I do not have the confidence that I will be met with the words well done good and faithful servant. I have seen and been involved with many waves of christian revival in my life and way to old to be scared to express an opinion or two. There is a lot of talk on here about church which is interesting and I have always been bothered by the term "my church" as I am with other questions "where do you go"? "Which church do you go to" What denomination are you? etc. When I was young I went into a grand old church building on a weekday. There was an old lady arranging flowers and I asked is this a Catholic church or a Protestant church? Her words were new to me and I still have to fully appreciate the wisdom of her response "there is only one church". What I am wondering is if I go to the pub with Christians in an informal way is that a/the church that meets in a pub or just Christians meeting in a pub that are members of "a/the"church. If it is a meeting of Christians with non Christians that gathering is not the church is it?. The Church is only composed of those that are the believers. Although the church does seem to have people in it that do not seem to me to be born again. If you meet in the park and I am in the park with my wife and a christian friend but do not know about you being there what is in that park? Two groups of believers meeting separately or 1 church and 1 group meeting separately or 2 churches meeting separately in the same park? Or 1 church meeting separately divided by ignorance of one another? If we recognise one another as believers who will join who? Will we have to become members of "your church"? Or if you come over to where we are in the park and become members of "our church"? The other threads seem to be touching on this as well so perhaps I should go there. Bless you all.
	Caroline (Guest)	14/02/2010 13:05
Brian, Perhaps I am 1/1.2billionth of a church. If I represent this fragment of the church then I would be standing for that no matter where I am or who I am with. If I am meeting with non Christians I am still part of that church and there would still be a church in that meeting even if I was the only Christian there... Equally I would say that just because you're over the other side of the park (or other side of the cafe) there would still be one church park wide even though they are unaware of another part of it. I guess in a similar way that people say at Aviva all work for the same organisation but the organisation is so huge you wouldnt necessarily know that the person next to you works for them too- doesnt mean that there is 2 avivas... (hope that makes sense) More contraversially can we say the same about believers in God generally- that we all all aparty to a similar cause? or even more broadly to humanity in general- we are all made in God's image- all technically his children/belong to him in some way/part of his family simply by being made in his image- therefore are we all part of his church but with differing perspectives on things (just like there is within 'church' as we know it generally today)? Am I 1/6 billionth of the church?
	Jake (Guest)	15/02/2010 21:58
Dear Caroline, Don’t play in to Brains hands because its none other than are old friend XXX, a believer in Norwich and seeker of truth etc.. He’s being battered on the “we were wrong” thread by Calvin so He’s come over here to pick on you. It’s easy to spot Him he hates everything Christian.
	Brian the bored (Guest)	16/02/2010 22:52
Thanks Caroline. Aviva. The previous name may have lent itself better to the analogy. Norwich Unions!! Although the change of name has not changed the function or the work. May I say some things about your comments. Believers in God generally includes all the religions of the world that believe in a supreme being. They do not constitute the church. Only those born from above are members of the church. Even the demons believe in God. God`s Image. Yes we are made in his image (outward) but what about the likeness (inward). Of course those saved are the church and members even of Christ and one another. This image and likeness needs to be recovered through the Lords judicial redemption and by the Lord`s organic salvation. Could this process be frustrated because we do not have a proper understanding of what the church is and its purpose? After all we are supposed to all arrive at the oneness of the faith. I am grateful that as a fellow member you have taken time to fellowship with me. Thank you. Brian
	Caroline (Guest)	18/02/2010 11:34
Brian- re Gods image, inward and outward. If this was a response to my comment about all people on earth being part of the church and if I understand correctly that you're implying that internally christians reflect God's image more so than non christians then I would argue that actually I know non christians who treat people with more love and respect than christians I know. I know that you will say that we are perfect with JC yadder yadder but actually that's to do with Jesus' perfection and reflection of God's image - not ours. I reckon that non christians look just as much like God as we do. After all without the God who IS love, they would be out out love, forgiveness, joy, friendship, generosity... and I know no one who is lacking all these things.

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