 We had a particulalrly interesting service when the organ started giving out smoke as well as sound. It had to be quickly taken outside and subsequently disposed of. We wondered if Doris had been playing hot jazz on the quiet!
Revd Nic stepped in and lent us a keyboard and then set to work to find us a replacement. This she managed, of course, finding us an organ which was surplus in Tarvin Methodist Church and which, although quite old is in full working order.
This is now in place thanks to Roger, Robert and Barrie who collected it on Roger's trailer. All who have heard it are agreed that it has a much nicer sound and most importantly Doris likes it. Many thanks to Revd Nic.
[From an article in Contact magazine by John Warren].
 JPIT (The Joint Public Issues Team) has created a briefing note about the cost of living crisis. It summarises the problems and actions taken to date, and describes "Ideas for action now and in the months to come".
Changes are also being introduced by The Trussel Trust and others:
"One of the church’s partners in providing foodbanks, the Trussell Trust, has made the decision that its ultimate aim as a charity should not be to feed people, but to work with others in order to end the need for foodbanks. Mass emergency food provision should not be needed in a wealthy nation. Many other charities are reorientating in the same way, and churches have important contributions to make in this change."
See the full briefing note.
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Research published by Prof. Linda Woodhead while she was at Lancaster University, examines the attitudes of Anglicans to faith. Much of the research seems to offer insights for other churches too.
The sizeable poll sample included both churchgoers and many others who simply call themselves Anglicans.
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- Most Anglicans' beliefs are very different from those of their leaders, e.g. re legalisation of same sex marriages and the ordination of women. Churchgoers are just as liberal as the population at large regarding personal morality, whereas their leadership are largely socially conservative.
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Read more: Churches Connect to New People by their 'Tone' and Approach
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JPIT have produced a briefing note in which they identify specific steps we can all take to reduce the carbon footprint.
Personal Steps, e.g. specific green energy providers you can swap to;
Church Steps, e.g.score your church overall, such as its management of buildings and land;
National Steps, e.g. join the campaign to get your MP to be a 'Hero for Zero';
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A report by the Church Army of the Anglican Church reports on a survey of the situations where (and, by implication, the reasons why) the Christian Church is alive and well amongst young adults (aged 25-34). There are pointers here for other churches, such as the Methodist Church.
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Survey Findings
- Attracting New Young Adult Worshippers: Where churches are managing to reach young adults with no previous church experience - and from a broad socio-economic background - they will more often see these young adults meeting around a dining table rather than in a church building, because the getting together for a meal is very important in creating community.
- Retaining Young People into Adulthood: Some larger churches with young adult congregations, gathering for a Sunday service alongside midweek groups, are effectively reaching out to middle class, well-educated young adults who previously attended church as children.
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Read more: Conditions where Young Adults Choose to Worship
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