You are invited to Back to Church Sunday
last updated on: 12th Sep 2012
Everyone is welcome to any church throughout the year. With well over a thousand different churches in Leicester and Leicestershire, from very small to many hundreds of people, from a traditional style to much more contemporary there is a wide range to choose from. However, we realise that going to church for the first time, or returning after a time away can sometimes be a daunting experience. And so, on Sunday 30th September there is a specific invitation to anyone who might be curious to try out church without any expectation that you’ll keep coming (although you’d be very welcome to!). Our experience is that it is less daunting visiting if you know others will be there in the same boat.
Special services are being held across Leicestershire. For details of the one closest to you please keep reading, but if you came here having scanned the giant banner on the side of the Cathedral you are particularly invited to a special services on Sunday 30th September:
You are most welcome to Leicester Cathedral. We are open 365 days a year between 8.00 and 18.00 and there is always somebody in the building to talk to or to refer you to a priest.
A cathedral is not only for Sundays - we have at least three public services every day and usually the following three services on a Sunday:
8.00 Eucharist: a quiet service following the 17th century Book of Common Prayer
10.30 Cathedral Eucharist: a service with the cathedral choir incorporating our thriving children’s group followed by refreshments.
16.00 Choral Evensong: our second choral service thanking God for the day.
You are most welcome to come in any time and you are welcome to all of our services. Additionally we organise a special open day on Saturday 29 September from 9.30 to 12.30 during which you can drop in and explore the Cathedral, children can learn a song with the Director of Music, Christopher John, tours give insights into the history and faith of the Cathedral and there are storytelling sessions and refreshments are served throughout. Just turn up or for further information call the Cathedral office on 0116 261 5362. See www.cathedral.leicester.anglican.org or contact julie.heath@leccofe.org for more.
If you’d like to try out a service in a different area of Leicester or Leicestershire, or a different style of church (some are more traditional, others more contemporary, some more reflective, others more experiential, some more formal and others very informal) please contact Barry on backtochurch@leccofe.org with what you’d like and he’ll gladly supply more information.
You may ask ‘why are you doing this? Is this about filling pews, getting more money or trying to get more people to fill the coffee or flower rota?!’ A fair question. We believe God works. Each week we see Him transforming peoples lives, bringing wholeness, healing and purpose. Jesus Himself said, ‘I have come that you may have life, and life in all its fullness’. We long for every person in Leicester and Leicestershire to experience what this full life is about, but we realise that over the years sometimes the church hasn’t been very good at sharing this with others. Where we’ve let you down, we are sorry, and would love for you to try us again.
All the special services on Sunday 30th September 2012 are designed for you, with opportunities to find out and experience more if you would like.
- To find your local Church of England (sometimes called Anglican) church go to www.achurchnearyou.com (you can even refine your search to find churches with particular facilities e.g. disabled parking, youth groups or bell ringing)
- To find your local Methodist church click here
- To find your local Salvation Army centre click here and click on ‘Find a Centre’ on the right hand side of the page
For more information or if you have trouble finding a church, or questions about the day please contact Barry on backtochurch@leccofe.org
