Thank you to the 65 people who gave us written feedback, and to those who came to our consultation about evening services last Sunday night.  It was a thoughtful, worshipful, mission-minded, cooperative conversation and it helped the evening service team come to clear conclusions.

Our hearts were particularly drawn to Acts 2.42-47, where building up a worshipping, learning community is the key to numerical growth.  Like Jonah in the fish, we are called to learn to worship; then an “outward” focus will come to the fore as we are sent out.

So from September till February the pattern of our evening services will be as follows:

1st Sunday of the month: A shared agape meal.  There will be an informal communion, and we will learn from the Bible together over the meal.

2nd  and 5th Sundays of the month: A series of special events ranging from healing services and events for the bereaved or the engaged-to-be-married to “messy church,” discussions on contemporary themes and musical events.

3rd Sunday of the month: A traditional Holy Communion, with organ music and a thoughtful sermon.

4th Sunday of the month: a shared tea, followed by a Songs of Praise service featuring the St Michael’s choir – members of the community share their stories and choose hymns that are significant to them.  (Note: the exception to this is October, when we will be joining with Galleywood Methodist Church)

We’ll be making a thoroughgoing review of all our worship in the autumn, and that will recommend a way ahead from March.

Thank you to all those who came to the consultation yesterday about the evening service.  Here, in no particular order, are the comments you made:

We need to be careful we do not lose the peace of the evening service – honouring those who have been faithful to it over the years.

We mustn’t do too much of what people are frightened of.

God is calling us to get together and build friendships.

Younger people might be looking for something more lively and unpredictable.

The early church experienced miraculous signs and wonders – are we open to the Spirit?

We should help people.

Where are the families?

Where are the men?

Where are the youth?

There’s scope for services with a special focus

Community building takes humbleness and a willingness to make friendships

Whatever is decided, it needs to be clearly communicated – perhaps with paid adverts. 

We need to tell people clearly what we’re going to do, and then deliver what we’ve said.

Maybe something slightly more formal than at present?

The evening service can’t be seen in isolation – what are we doing in the evening that is distinct from Rolling Worship?

The evening service mustn’t be an “also-ran”

We must have an outward focus

Whatever happens in the evening service, it’s got to be things that we’ll talk about outside the church building.


The evening service team meets tomorrow to make its decisions about the service's future direction.