Barbecue -July 31st

July has a bonus fifth Thursday, and we are going to have a sunny summer barbecue at our house - see me for directions, but if you can find SofaChurch you are very close. We'll provide the meat side of things (thinking nice free-range sausages from Cheerbrooks, mackerel, lamb kebabs) but if others would commit to providing some other element of the meal we'd be grateful. Please let me know so we don't end up with too many duplicates. It'd be useful to have a rough idea of numbers too, so please let me know if you can/can't come. Thanks!

Tidying up the Backses

We didn't get to complete tonight - but made another big impact, and removed some really offensive material. Even had some Polish folk give us trifles and English folk make us a brew - much appreciated!

We're going to need to arrange a final visit (says he) sometime. Do we fix up a Saturday or Sunday afternoon? Next five Thursday month isn't until October... If so, how about having another barbie afterwards, weather permitting?

I've really enjoyed taking part in the tidy ups - a time for chatting, laughing, making a difference - ie fellowship. A shared purpose based on faith.

SofaChurch @ Crewe Central

Folk may be interested to know that plans are repeatedly being considered to bring a SofaChurch style meeting to Christ Church in Crewe centre.

Probably in tandem with a CafeChurch which will hopefully be held around the corner at Costa. Plans yet to be drawn up for sure, but the vicar keeps making encouraging noises about SofaChurch at Christ Church.

A few of us are hopefully on a CafeChurch training day in October, and after a couple more PCCs perhaps we'll be a step closer to knowing what and when (if you're interested, do shout, though places are limited and we're not even sure if the booking is successful yet).

If we go where people are and ensure the cultural trappings of our faith don't get in the way of them Knowing Jesus, The Faith has a bright future. Be encouraged.

SofaChurch at Christ Church I would hope to have a tag line to help differentiate it from the Mother SofaChurch. Linking in with Christ Church's railway history would be good, in my opinion; a few ideas below:

SofaChurch - Interchange
SofaChurch - Crewe Central
SofaChurch - Waiting Room

Anyway, so yes, there is hunger out there (and in here too). It's just getting palatable food where people need it which matters, and God Willing, we're getting much closer to doing what we ought to. Be encouraged.

SofaChurch fun trip

We've been wondering, following on from the recent discussion on community - would anyone be interested in a little SofaChurch excursion?

This could be something along the lines of... hiring a minibus for a day, driving to a beach, having fun, picnicing, fish and chips or barbecue in the evening, coming home.

Or, more adventurously, a weekend away - possibly camping, or hiring a big house somewhere if everyone could comfortably afford it.

We think it would be much fun, what does everyone think?

Healing Revival?

This Thursday we'll be talking about the 'Healing Revival' currently generating much interest in Lakeland Florida, and it's British counterpart in Dudley, with reference to similarly styled ministries.

Todd Bentley is billed later in the year to "personally release to the UK all that God has been doing in Florida" at the NEC.

Is this really healing? Is it yet another Christian Celebrity to put their shadow over the Person of Jesus? What's all this Angel stuff anyway? Is he really kicking people in the gut? Are we being a bunch of cynics, or carrying out the mandate to use our heads, hearts and spirits to work out what's good, bad, or indifferent?

Some interesting reading on The Reachout Trust here concerning all this.

Whatever, the adage about the baby and bathwater springs to mind; but even if you want to keep the baby, you need to get rid of the bathwater...

The middle bit

(I thought I'd bump this interesting question up from a comment to a new post for everyone to think about.)

Hi there all you sofa churchers. It's Mandy Wibberley from North Street church. Sorry I haven't been able to join you all since the birth of sofa church - sorry for me not for you all !!! You all seem to be having a great time both spiritually and socially. I'm a regular visitor to the website though and love it and what you're all doing.

With 3 teenage boys and a husband who works shifts, the time is just not there on Thursdays to join you. I have a drum lesson to attend just at the time you meet. Not for me you'll be relieved to hear, but with our 15 year old.
I'm also involved with the youth work and Re:Generation in our church. Re:Generation is at the other end of the scale to Sofa Church - loud band praise music, very modern, with a 21st century message. If any of you are interested, Andy can fill you in. He plays guitar with us sometimes.

It seems to some that the trend seems to be either one end of the scale or the other i.e Sofa Church or Re:Generation. We had 40 folk with us last time - some of those completely new to church. The middle bit, with the hymns and sermon - well what can I say ? Is it dying out or does it still have it's place, and if it does, for how long and for how many?
Well, sorry to go on, just wanted to stay in touch and to say I miss Sofa church. If the drum lessons change I will be with you again. keep up the good work and I will keep on visiting the sight with interest. Let me know what you think about "the middle bit" if you think it's relevent.

Film Night: Leap of Faith

The film this week is Leap of Faith; entry on Internet Movie Database is here if you want to know more...

Greenbelt

Susie, Kitty and I have decided to go this year again. Anyone fancy joining us? August bank holiday, full details here.