What could be so different?

When you step away from the ‘normal’ what do we expect to see?

I go to a Church which, it would be fair to say, worships traditionally. How you might describe that may differ: the ‘Methodist 5-hymn 4-prayer sandwich‘ describes it for me. You know where you are when you come to this kind of service, what to expect, when the next bit comes and what to say. It works for a lot of people – they really enjoy it. Here it might be worth checking on that Guest-Host aspect I blogged about only recently.

So a few of us are venturing afar – well actually ‘over the border’…yes I know….into ….Lancashire. But all was well, as it was under the cover of darkness – what we will do in the Summer is for later 😉

We traveled to Oldham and went to the Salt Cellar Café. This has been a Methodist building for many decades, offering recently a variety of tasty delicious meals, snacks and beverages; however, recently, things have changed.

Two Methodist Presbyters (‘vicars’) have started up, with much support of a myriad of other churches, an alternate expression of faith, a different way of looking at church. It’s relaxed, reflective, take in as much as you’d like, and all are welcome – I mean that “ALL are welcome!”.

What struck as we approached the venue were the two individuals, wearing bright orange t-shirts declaring AFFIRM, who were there to welcome people. They were 50 yards from the entrance. This was so different, they were far from the building. It was like the Prodigal story, they had come to meet us, not expecting us to find and knock on the door.

Upon entering, we were greeted – more orange t-shirt-clad people – and welcomed with fresh tea and coffee….and sumptuous quantities of cake. And this was before the event had started – or had it? I wonder whether actually the event had already begun.

Was this ‘church’ more about the people than the rituals, the liturgy, the process, even the building?

When the event started we were told of the basic programme for the evening, which was focussed upon ‘Being Still’. There was no call to stand up nor sit down – do as you please – as the songs commenced. Here are the songs we started with – there may be adverts but that’s supporting others.

A meditation on scripture followed, where we were asked where were we in the scene. No long explanations, resplendent with Greek etymology and theological expertise – just….what was God saying to you, now, today?

We then had a Silent Communion. With a large (gluten-free) loaf and two china beakers clearly visible on a table, bedecked with a Dignity & Worth Candle and a Cross which may have spoken about the broken becoming whole, the inspirational minister Nat welcomed all to celebrate.

“Please take as long as you wish with the loaf of bread. Reflect upon its significance. Break a piece off, hold it in your hand, and eat as you need. Only then pass on the loaf to the next person – in silence”

The same was done with the wine (fruit juice). This element of the event took about 15-20 minutes, with everyone in silence, no music playing, just being reflective, feeling what this moment means to the individual.

Then such a moving testimony from a lady who had been drawn into church at an early age but then criticised because of their sexual orientation. Control and power seemed to dominate the response of the church, their desire for the individual to change to fit their understanding, not of the individual, lovingly created, made by God. The word “authentic” resonated, they must be the person that God intended them to always be. They heard of Affirm and had come along to the earlier meetings where they found they were more than tolerated, more than just welcomed, they were truly AFFIRMED – they were home. They described not being pushed out of the Church but outrageously, radically, “given a leg up” back into God’s loving kin_dom.

Then some images were shown on the screen, of landscapes, political characters, maps of Europe, buildings, motifs describing trauma, depression and stress : so individually we could bring our concerns, our hopes and fears to God – no words outspoken, outpourings of our heart were all that was desired…needed.

Some songs to conclude, where even people may wish to stand to express their thanks to God.

What next? Well this is about relationships, getting to know each other, to be part of a group of people who affirm you, build you up and clearly demonstrate God’s love. So over more tea, coffee and cake there was intentionally time to chat.

Soon they meet again to share Breakfast at the Molino Lodge in Oldham, and they are also starting RealTalk, discussing topical subjects where faith is entwined – sounds a bit like TodFaith :-).

Overall, this was different, so different to the normal – if there is such a word to describe Church. There was time and space for every individual to meet with God, or to reflect – if they didn’t share a belief in God, with on what was important. There was never any insistence upon making a declaration of belief. This is reaching out to others, where they are, meeting them where they feel safe and walking with them, at their speed, loving them.