Come as you are!
Churchgoers across in Essex and East London are set personally to invite thousands of people to services on Back to Church Sunday, September 27. They will invite someone they know who used to attend church to come back.
Revd Charlie Kosla, Chelmsford's mission and parish development adviser says, "The theme of Back to Church Sunday 2009 is: 'Come as you are!' This brief message speaks volumes to people who feel that today's church has no more relevance to them. Our emphasis will be on welcome, openness and including people."
Celia Lawton-Livingstone was invited to St Luke’s, Colchester, on Back to Church Sunday 2008. Her friend Carole asked her along to the service. Now Celia is attending regularly. She comments: “I was surprised when I got to the church that morning. It was different to what I’d imagined, and the people were very friendly. I didn’t feel like they were trying to shove religion down my throat, they let me make up my own mind. It was a very relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, just like one big family. I would recommend it to others: you never know where it could lead you. My whole life has changed completely in the last year.”
Chelmsford Diocese will be joined by C of E congregations across the whole of England. Churches Together in Scotland, the Church in Wales, Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed churches nationwide, Elim Pentecostal churches and Anglican churches in Australia, Argentina, New Zealand and Canada will also take part.
Back to Church Sunday' began in 2004. Last year an estimated 37,000 people came back to church. For further information contact Charlie Kosla on 01245 294419, email ckosla@chelmsford.anglican.org or visit www.backtochurch.co.uk.
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