The Diocese of Carlisle : Growing Disciples

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Social events

Social events are often good opportunities to draw people into the Church community - one that has worked well in some places is a Car Treasure Hunt.  Here are some notes about how to organise one.

 

Back to Church Sunday

Back to Church Sunday is a national initiative which has had some success in making links with those who have had some links with church in the past.  Here are some notes about the way one Church did Back to Church Sunday.

For further information and some top tips on how to get the best out of Back to Church go to www.backtochurch.co.uk or contact the Archdeacon of Carlisle, the Ven Kevin Roberts

 

Posada

Posada is an idea started by the Church Army which draws participating families closer to the Church at Christmas

 

Cafe Church

Cafe Church is a way of taking Church out to those who don't come by being in a place they are used to entering eg a cafe!

Some of the Churches in Whitehaven are trying this: they had a first less successful attempt called Springs Cafe, and now are working at a modified idea:  there are two documents to download - one which describes Springs Cafe and attempts to reflect on how it did; the other about the new attempt.

Click here for the Cafe CHurch network site:  www.cafechurch.net

 

Football and Faith

Steve Donald, St John's London Rd, Carlisle

Family Football and Faith
This is for boys and girls aged between 7 and 11 and includes football coaching, competitions, refreshments and a few words about Jesus. We ask for a £1 donation per session and children must bring a parent with them who can either join in or watch. Over the three years we have been running this we have had many children and parents come and go but all have enjoyed it and heard something about Jesus. Two Dads have become Christians and were confirmed by the Bishop of Carlisle last year. Tony Elliott, former goal keeper at Carlisle United and now an under sixteen's coach for England, often comes and helps with coaching.

 

Pray for the City Cup
Over the last three years we have entered teams into this five-a-side competition against fifteen teams, mostly local churches. The first year was won by one of our associate teams from the local Pizza Hut, and the second and third year by our Polish associate teams who regularly use our sports hall for training. Each time the gospel is shared using a football theme. Our own church team has moved up from bottom to second from bottom!

Plans for this year at football and faith
Dan Cronin, has joined us for a gap year through a Diocesan scheme and is an FA coach and referee. He is already helping after-school with football training in two of our linked Primary schools and building relationships as well as helping with assemblies and running our church youth. We are planning to launch a five-a-side shield involving the twenty or so primary schools in Carlisle using our sports hall for the heats and then booking a larger venue for an eight team final with a guest speaker. We will run the heats in January and February and then have the final in March. These contacts will be invited to a holiday club Dan will be leading in the run up to Easter. At each match the gospel will be shared.

 

Football and Faith an engine for mission
Whilst not every church has its own sports hall, these opportunities can be taken up by hiring local facilities. As Dan Cronin says, "Young people may run away from the idea of church but they will usually run towards the idea of playing football".