Despite many holding traditional views, we felt an alternative and radical approach may connect with people. Here, I describe the way we have linked with contrasting communities, often not seen as church. Of course in recent weeks, with the lockdown from the pandemic, we had to change again. We joined with the Baptist Church at Roomfield utilising Zoom, the video software.
That has been transformational. Not merely taking the ‘pulpit’ from the church to the digital realm, that’s transferring. But starting that journey of translating what we have been doing, into something which is relevant to now.
So not transferring, not translating as our aim, but being transformational.
Heidi Campbell (pp49-52; well worth a read)
Alternative Services
We have seen how including contemporary songs hasn’t alienated people, but allowed them to contemplate different musical genres. Who knew that great Methodist composer, Bryan Adams, could write such ‘hymns’ as ‘Everything You Do‘?. That’s certainly alternative and radical.
We have seen people who may not typically attend church seek to explore what is available. Firstly it is possible for them to ‘attend’ at any time, through the use of recording the session. Secondly, they can dress how they like – not in their Sunday best. Thirdly, they can nip out for a cuppa whenever they want. Lastly, they can communicate with the person leading the service, reducing the hierarchy, making everyone accessible, or even accountable perhaps?
Blue Christmas standards out as really special for us. For those who are unable to cope with the commercialisation of Christmas, or because someone had recently died and this meant the relatives were struggling to cope – this was for them. We populated it with a mixture of acoustic music and secular videos. The landscape of a blue Christmas tree and the quietness of some candles burning reminding us that there was more than the presents at such a time.
LGBTQ
The TDOR services, the Transgender Day of Remembrance services, are also special. Although some of the church folk didn’t attend, the people came from Lancashire, Keighley and the surrounding towns meant that this was very much needed.
When people come and ask to light a candle and they haven’t been into a church for 60 years, my heart cries out. Where have we been?
Using music drawn from the LGBTQ world, taking clips from films, such as Mulan, that we may not have originally seen the link to being transgender was again transformative. For the West Yorkshire Queer Stories team to find benefit in the service speaks volumes.
Todmorden Faith
Beware what might start if you meet up with others in a café.
When people who might describe themselves on the fringe of the church seek to explore “what might be“, this is exciting. To desire to dialogue with others on topics which you might not normally encounter in church – well, actually you are probably not going to find this in Church – was so powerful.
The Methodist Church, in its understanding of evangelism, cites (p22) a way forward as including: dialogue, friendship, invitation, service (as in doing), and sharing stories. I would argue that is exactly what we have sought to do.
It was Jason, a visiting engineer from Missouri but working at Weirs in Todmorden, who introduced us to the Overton Window. That desire to hear the story of the other so we might together learn more, and be a stronger community was absolutely key.
In our first year we discussed: Same-Sex Marriage, Fasting from both a Christian and Muslim perspective, Non-violent Direct Action, Euthanasia, Folklore Myth and Magic, What it is to be Transgender, Paganism and Panentheism, Death – the last taboo, Christmas songs from all faiths, and how do we respond to refugees. Albeit we took criticism for some of these topics, this brought together people from all faiths: Buddhists, Muslims, Christians, Pagans and Atheists, to be as one, to engage as one.
We couldn’t be more alternative and radical, but also authentic and contextual to our community.
Here, I also like to express my thanks for the Revd David Simon, who sadly passed away this year. He was such a great supporter, full of wisdom – very much missed.
Interfaith Chaplaincy
Lastly, we originally set up a chaplaincy, a Christian chaplaincy for the market and shops in the town. Then, following the tragedy’s in Auckland, New Zealand, and then in Sri Lanka, we pivoted, we moved to become an interfaith Christian and Muslim Chaplaincy. This hasn’t been easy, and there have been some criticism levelled as us. However, the conversations have been wonderful. We now meet in both the outdoor and indoor markets, the Medical Centre, Morrison’s supermarket, Honest John’s pub, up in Cornholme, and also in the betting shop on the Halifax Road.
Why haven’t people heard of this wonderful town, so full of creative people, who wish to explore their understanding of this world?
We have tried to help in this respect.