personal invitation is key to attracting people back to church

AN estimated 20,000 extra people have come back to church across the country as a result of Back to Church Sunday last year.

Some 267 parishes took part in Chelmsford Diocese. Many parishes combined last year's event with
Harvest as a way of using the appeal of harvest festival to connect with schools and wider community.

Churches, which issued personal invitations, reported greatest success with attracting people back.
In fact, the Back to Church idea is to reach people with a simple invitation and a warm welcome. If one person comes back to church because of the invitation of a friend to come to church with them, Back to Church Sunday has worked.

This key to success is the theme of Back to Church Sunday 2008 and is reflected in the ‘VIP' design
which will be on the invitations, prayer cards and feedback forms.

Vital factors in retaining people who have returned are the friendliness of the church and staying in touch.

Back to Church Sunday 2008 will be on September 28.  Parishes will receive
details of how to access resources direct from the diocese.

• The total number attending services and carols during the lead up to Christmas at the Cathedral was more than 11,000 - an increase of 12 per cent on the previous year.
• More than 1,200 attended the two performances of the Nine Lessons and Carols;
  other highlights were Midnight Mass with 500 and the Christingle and Crib Service with 650 people.
• More than 8,000 attended the 20 school and community carol services

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