I did the 9:30am service at St Mary's this morning and consciously went fishing. I talked about church membership, confirmation and baptism and invited people to talk to me after the service if they were interested in exploring any of these possibilities. I may have one taker for confirmation...
At 11:00am we had the baptism for Alex. We decided to drop the Gospel reading since a story about the beheading of John the baptist didn't seem appropriate at a baptism with John as the father...
The afternoon was spent with Becky and co at her 40th birthday party in Grange Farm. Good party! All tired...
Showing posts with label baptism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baptism. Show all posts
Sunday, 12 July 2009
Sunday, 7 June 2009
Being Church
Following last month's service at All Saints' at which we wrote a job description for church members, this month we spent some time reflecting on the nature of church membership and the aspects of it through in interactive service involving baptism, communion, confirmation and stewardship...
Feed-back was good, but numbers were down and those who I had hoped to encourage to take new steps in discipleship were away on the whole... Never mind, the best made plans of mice and men and all that...
Sunday, 1 February 2009
A day of three services...
This was the second day of the Watling Valley's 'vision weekend' with the annual covenant service at Christ the Sower School. Nick and Sheila led the service which had a fairly reformed feel. The seats were arranged in a cross formation with 'stations' in each aisle for the distribution of communion. This meant that people could look at each other... It was good to gather and re-affirm our commitment even though the attendance was fairly low - only ninety people out of a possible three hundred turned up...
We cycled there and back which gave me very brief slot for a bowl of soup before I headed back out for the baptism service at All Saints'. There were four children lined up for baptism in some lovely warm water. They all smiled when we brought them to the font and enjoyed the attention of the crowds...
While I was out the girls had got going on a game of Catan. I changed places with Isla who seemed to be doing quite nicely. The girls proceeded to attack me mercilessly with development cards and steel my sheep. I managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat by building four roads in my final round, thereby claiming the 'longest road' and the asociated two points. A close thing... When did my children get good enough to beat me at games? How long will it be before they need to let me win for a change?
We had a quick early dinner before I had to head out again, this time for evensong at Willen church where I had the privilage of inducting Paul Smith as Team Rector. Quorum were singing and a good number of people turned up - inspite of the snow. I struggled to preach a satisfactory sermon in the five minute slot I had left at the end but I did my best. Five minuters are quite hard when you don't know the people... or am I too self-critical... All in all a good evening - but a long day...
Back home before the snow started again. All three girls in bed - but not asleep. Back to the computer to tackle a few jobs that needed to get done this weekend. These included the All Saints' contribution to the Loughton Residents Magazine - which needed to be done yesterday and some work for SU that was due on Friday... still, I can always work tomorrow night too...
Conscious of various little jobs that I could do with takling but I'll get there when I get there...
We cycled there and back which gave me very brief slot for a bowl of soup before I headed back out for the baptism service at All Saints'. There were four children lined up for baptism in some lovely warm water. They all smiled when we brought them to the font and enjoyed the attention of the crowds...
While I was out the girls had got going on a game of Catan. I changed places with Isla who seemed to be doing quite nicely. The girls proceeded to attack me mercilessly with development cards and steel my sheep. I managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat by building four roads in my final round, thereby claiming the 'longest road' and the asociated two points. A close thing... When did my children get good enough to beat me at games? How long will it be before they need to let me win for a change?
We had a quick early dinner before I had to head out again, this time for evensong at Willen church where I had the privilage of inducting Paul Smith as Team Rector. Quorum were singing and a good number of people turned up - inspite of the snow. I struggled to preach a satisfactory sermon in the five minute slot I had left at the end but I did my best. Five minuters are quite hard when you don't know the people... or am I too self-critical... All in all a good evening - but a long day...Back home before the snow started again. All three girls in bed - but not asleep. Back to the computer to tackle a few jobs that needed to get done this weekend. These included the All Saints' contribution to the Loughton Residents Magazine - which needed to be done yesterday and some work for SU that was due on Friday... still, I can always work tomorrow night too...
Conscious of various little jobs that I could do with takling but I'll get there when I get there...
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Baptisms
A few years ago All Saints' was suffering from Baptism Fatigue. Every other service seemed to be a baptism with hundreds of guests (who didn't want to be there) crammed together with regular worshippers (who soon started becoming less regular). It was very hard to provide consistent worship, build a community, integrate newcomers - or provide the kind of welcome that baptism families deserved...
The DCC decided (going against the norm) that these baptisms were counter productive for the church's mission and that something would need to be done.
The proposed solution was to hold baptism services in the afternoon. This totally contradicted the standard advice that we are given but it proved to be a really productive idea. The plan was that each family would be welcomed at a Sunday morning service and then invited to an afternoon service with hymns, readings, an address and the support of ordinary church members.
We've been doing this for a while and it seems to have had some good results:
Families seem to get a better welcome than they did in the old system. We can greet them as a community in an ordinary high quality service where they can be given some attention and get to know us - and the kind of thing we do. Because they don't have hundreds of guests to worry about we can concentrate on the relationship between the church and the family - this is a win!
The afternoon services have become high quality events which usually get very positive feedback. We can speak to the larger groups of families and friends and attempt to meet their needs - hopefully giving them a positive impression of church - and the immediate families the "rite of passage" that they're looking for.
Morning services have been transformed and have helped us to build a more consistent and growing community. Sunday mornings at All Saints' are a much more positive experience without the constant conflict of interests between families, visitors, children and church members...
And Baptisms have become more meaningful. The Afternoon Baptisms are wonderful missional, spiritual and good-natured events - and morning baptisms (when they happen) are true All Saints' family events.
We had such a baptism this morning for Wilfred who's parents joined the church two years ago. They opted for a morning service and invited church members to the party afterwards. It was a great day and felt really significant. I suspect baptisms become more meaningful for church members when they don't see them every other week...
This has been a great journey and seems to have been the right thing to do. It does, however, have a cost - our baptism visitors have had to get quite efficient in their dealings with families - and we have an extra service to run on the occasional Sunday afternoon... Since everyone has benefited so much it would be great to keep this work going and provide the high quality welcome and events that families deserve but (and here's the plug) we could do with some more warm bodies in the baptism team... it's not a ministry that is always visible on a Sunday morning but it has been one of the most significant projects that ASL has taken on in recent years.
The DCC decided (going against the norm) that these baptisms were counter productive for the church's mission and that something would need to be done.
The proposed solution was to hold baptism services in the afternoon. This totally contradicted the standard advice that we are given but it proved to be a really productive idea. The plan was that each family would be welcomed at a Sunday morning service and then invited to an afternoon service with hymns, readings, an address and the support of ordinary church members.
We've been doing this for a while and it seems to have had some good results:
Families seem to get a better welcome than they did in the old system. We can greet them as a community in an ordinary high quality service where they can be given some attention and get to know us - and the kind of thing we do. Because they don't have hundreds of guests to worry about we can concentrate on the relationship between the church and the family - this is a win!
The afternoon services have become high quality events which usually get very positive feedback. We can speak to the larger groups of families and friends and attempt to meet their needs - hopefully giving them a positive impression of church - and the immediate families the "rite of passage" that they're looking for.
Morning services have been transformed and have helped us to build a more consistent and growing community. Sunday mornings at All Saints' are a much more positive experience without the constant conflict of interests between families, visitors, children and church members...
And Baptisms have become more meaningful. The Afternoon Baptisms are wonderful missional, spiritual and good-natured events - and morning baptisms (when they happen) are true All Saints' family events.
We had such a baptism this morning for Wilfred who's parents joined the church two years ago. They opted for a morning service and invited church members to the party afterwards. It was a great day and felt really significant. I suspect baptisms become more meaningful for church members when they don't see them every other week...
This has been a great journey and seems to have been the right thing to do. It does, however, have a cost - our baptism visitors have had to get quite efficient in their dealings with families - and we have an extra service to run on the occasional Sunday afternoon... Since everyone has benefited so much it would be great to keep this work going and provide the high quality welcome and events that families deserve but (and here's the plug) we could do with some more warm bodies in the baptism team... it's not a ministry that is always visible on a Sunday morning but it has been one of the most significant projects that ASL has taken on in recent years.
Sunday, 19 October 2008
Baptism
At lunchtime I attended the baptism of my cousin's son, Sebastian, over in Wavendon. It was great to see David Lunn take a really engaging and thoughtful service - packed with good lines and opportunities to connect.Thanks David and all the best for Seb and his parents!
Sunday, 14 September 2008
Baptisms
This is an All Saints' day for me! Three baptisms this afternoon with our splendid (and growing) baptism team. This project has been amazing! It's wonderful that baptisms (once a source of frustration) have become such a key part of this church's mission!
One piece of feedback for the morning congregation is that families feel that they get a really warm welcome when they come for their "welcome" before the baptism. Well done ASL!
One piece of feedback for the morning congregation is that families feel that they get a really warm welcome when they come for their "welcome" before the baptism. Well done ASL!
Sunday, 15 June 2008
Baptism in Manchester
We went to Manchester today for the baptism of Isabelle Daisy Dew - daughter of Simon and Alison. I'm now her godfather - poor child!It was a long day, but a good one. We set off at 6am and returned home at 6pm - six hours of driving, an interesting service, a good party and a lot of chat. All good fun!
It was good to be able to get to the service since I can't usually make weddings and baptisms for family and friends. We wouldn't have made it this time if I hadn't been on sabbatical - so thank the Lord for sabbaticals. Once again, I get to find out how the other half live...
Sunday, 10 February 2008
First Sunday of Lent
8:00am Holy Communion at All Saints
10:30am Holy Communion at All Saints - with introduction to Viewpoints / "Position"
2:00pm Baptism at All Saints
3:00pm Wedding Interview
6:30pm Growing Disciples
King Kong: What is his Viewpoint?
10:30am Holy Communion at All Saints - with introduction to Viewpoints / "Position"
2:00pm Baptism at All Saints
3:00pm Wedding Interview
6:30pm Growing Disciples
King Kong: What is his Viewpoint?
Sunday, 6 January 2008
A Day for New Beginnings
8:00am Holy Communion at All Saints'
First 8:00am service of the year.
9:00am Holy Communion at Holy Cross
Did the first part of the service at HolyCross - Phyllis did the second. There were quite a few people there this morning. Phyllis, Jeff and I are planning to meet.
10:30am Holy Communion at St Mary's
Big event at St Mary's. This was a joint service to celebrate the new building work. Liz preached, Tim presided, Nigel was worship leader and I "oversaw". We had a big procession arround the building with incence. We blessed the kitchen, vestry, loo and room. Great fun!
Not many people noticed, but we also have six new notice boards in the porch which look great. Michael Nelsey is busy taking photographs of everyone.
The loo still isn't connected, there's no water and no carpet in the church room, but it's a good moment to have a positive celebration. We'll have more opportunities in the next few months...
3:00pm Baptism of Rowan Morris
Rowan's baptism took place this afternoon. I did the prayers, but didn't have long to prepare. I think I spoke in gramatical sentences...
We had a quiet evening at home. Last pause before things really get busy!
First 8:00am service of the year.
9:00am Holy Communion at Holy Cross
Did the first part of the service at HolyCross - Phyllis did the second. There were quite a few people there this morning. Phyllis, Jeff and I are planning to meet.
10:30am Holy Communion at St Mary's
Big event at St Mary's. This was a joint service to celebrate the new building work. Liz preached, Tim presided, Nigel was worship leader and I "oversaw". We had a big procession arround the building with incence. We blessed the kitchen, vestry, loo and room. Great fun!
Not many people noticed, but we also have six new notice boards in the porch which look great. Michael Nelsey is busy taking photographs of everyone.
The loo still isn't connected, there's no water and no carpet in the church room, but it's a good moment to have a positive celebration. We'll have more opportunities in the next few months...
3:00pm Baptism of Rowan Morris
Rowan's baptism took place this afternoon. I did the prayers, but didn't have long to prepare. I think I spoke in gramatical sentences...
We had a quiet evening at home. Last pause before things really get busy!
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