Evangelism UK

Quaker Week for enquirers

This week is Quaker Week where enquirers are invited to find out more with events, web site and an information pack: http://www.quakerweek.org.uk/?you

RC 'Come Home for Christmas' invite for 2009

The Roman Catholic Church will again be inviting lapsed and new members to church as part of their Christmas initiative to welcome: http://www.comehomeforchristmas.co.uk/

Back to Church Sunday in the media

This Sunday's 'Back to Church' campaign theme 'Come as you are' has been covered in the national news. Headlines and press releases are on:  http://www.backtochurch.co.uk/inthenews.asp

Sept 20th is RC Home Mission Sunday

Catholic parishes will have the opportunity to 'reflect, pray and be resourced to share the Good News' on Home Mission Sunday this weekend. See: http://www.catholicchurch.org.uk/ccb/catholic_church/events/home_mission_sunday

New 'Welcome' leaders manual and dvd from CofE

The Church of England have just produced a leaders manual and dvd training package about welcoming people in to church. It is called 'Everybody Welcome': http://www.chpublishing.co.uk/product.asp?id=2394865

Welcome 37,000 to Church

The press Release from the Church of England reports that 37 thousand people responded to the recent invitation of Back to Church Sunday:

http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr9408.html

B2C and A Church Near You website

Sunday 28th is Back to Church Sunday for many denominations and the Church of England have put together a website for people find a local church. It has over 16 thousand entiries on:

http://www.achurchnearyou.com/

Good Church Websites

A new resource for churches with few of their own to create a website, comes from the web designer of The Good Bookstall who has provided this sample template and advice which local churches can use to create their own:

http://www.goodchurchwebsites.org.uk/

Parish Nursing on radio

Helen Wordsworth points us to the radio program which explored Parish Nursing as part of the series on the 60th anniversary of the NHS. Parish Nursing is an outreach initiative of trained nurses who through local churches. The podcast link is:

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/wales/atc/atc_20080706-0905.mp3

'Back to Church Sunday' going global

Michael Harvey reports that Back to Church Sunday is not only being picked up by more and more church denominations and streams but also congregations as far away as new Zealand and Canada who have heard about the success of inviting people back to church on a specific Sunday. General website is:

http://www.backtochurch.co.uk/

Gospel give away for church visitors

It has been said that 84% of the population have visited a place of worship in the last year. What many find to read when they visit a church is an account of the history and building, rather than the purpose and account of Christian belief. Jeremy Williams of Lifewords has produced a brilliant Gospel give away which includes a card for the Christian Enquiry Agency. It is called Look Around You.

Developed for churches that are open to visitors or on the tourist trail, but lack the resources to create their own literature. The fold out card offers a meditative walk around a church building, exploring the symbolism of church architecture with simple reflections and prayers. It has been designed to work in any church building, and is worded for visitors at any stage of faith. www.sgmlifewords.com, or by calling 020 7730 2155. As a charity, all SGM Lifewords' work is funded by generous supporters, so there is no up-front charge for the materials, but you will have the chance to donate when ordering.

Copies of Look Around You are available from SGM Lifewords, and are part of the Historic Churches range, which also includes a series of four prayer cards. They can be ordered online at

'Distinctly Welcoming' book

Richard Sudworth is a mission partner with CMS in inner city Birmingham and works for Faith to Faith. He has written this book 'Distinctly Welcoming' addressing cultural questions and relevant outreach with the various faith communities he has engaged with. This book has been promoted as a Lent resource but is relevant for all seasons of the Christian year. Details at:

http://www.cms-uk.org/GetInvolved/Forchurches/Morechurchresources/LentResources/DistinctlyWelcomingotherfaiths/tabid/329/Default.aspx

Back to Church Sunday 2008

In 2007 it is estimated that 2000 churches invited back 20,000 friends back to church through the 'Back to Church welcome initiative. Lots more churches in different denominations are picking up on the simple and successful scheme and this year the advance notice is that 'Back to Church Sunday' is going to be on September 28th 2008. All details on:

www.backtochurch.co.uk

'Messy church'

Messy Church is all about getting messy in church and attracting families and all age people to getting involved in practical learning activities. Lucy Moore has started a blog with videos illustrating activities, including testimonies of people who have been drawn to church as a result. Simply click on the link to find out more and join in the discussion:

www.messychurch.org.uk