It Takes a Church to be Church

As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child,
so it takes a church to put on an event that reaches out to the local community.

This week we held our fourteenth Afternoon Tea Service,
when we threw open the doors of the church and served afternoon tea -
sumptuous sandwiches,
choicest cakes,
stately savouries
and lashings of tea and coffee to lubricate the vocal chords and keep the conversation flowing.

As with any event it is the people who are seen to be doing who get the recognition.
It is easy to know who they are as they are the ones wearing the brightly coloured aprons
(orange this month to reflect the palatte of autumn).
They are the volunteers who serve the plates of food and top up the tea cups.
However, all their efforts would be in vain without the backing and support of both the church and local community.

The Chatterers 
They may not have been on a  'sharing-your-faith-in-ten-easy-steps course' but they intuitively enable the conversation to flow around the tea tables, drawing the quieter ones ito the dialogue and are always ready to listen to the words of others.

The Responders
Those who take up the invitation to come. Some came to the very next Afternoon Tea Service, others mulled the idea over for a while before crossing the threshold.

The Inviters 
Those who have been brave enough to hand over invitations and suggest that friends or family might like to come. They take a risk - what if they say no? Will it strain the friendship? Fortunately they often say yes, but we never assume...

The Converted
Those who have been, had a wonderful time, and make it a priority to attend and tell everyone how good it is!.

The 'Turn-Up'ers
Those who appear each time, swelling the merry throng. We are so grateful to you.

Food Preparers
Who survived the online food handling course. They passed, of course - they are such stars! Faithfully prepare fresh food, without which there could be no Afternoon Tea Service.

Donators 
Those who roll up with a box of cakes, or little packet of something to swell the feast. We never know what delights they will bring and their gifts are always appreciated.

Clearer Uppers
Who at the end of our allotted time discretely begin to clear the tables, chucking the rubbish and loading the dishwasher -  providing those who have been busily serving with the opportunity to chat with guests.

Pray-ers
They may not even be present,
but they are supporting the event in prayer.

However the foundation of such an event go back further:-
To those who taught us the importance of being welcoming.
To those who had the vision to build the church.
To those who worshipped here when the church was only a vague hope for sometime in the future
To those who look after the building and ensure it is a place of welcome.


It takes a church to put on an event.
Many people, each contributing according to their gifts, talents and time.

It takes a church to be Church