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Category: Fresh Expressions

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Jan192017

Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly – Micah 6:8

At Rock Mass we have a yearly theme.  The theme for this year is Micah 6:8, “Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly”.  This is the introductory video we’ve put together for each service.  We have a 4:3 ratio background in the service so I thought I’d better do a widescreen version for you with no Rock Mass logos.

Rock Mass is a monthly sacramental alt:worship service at Holy Nativity Church in Mixenden.  Our band Metanoia usually play at it and you are all welcome to come along!!  Bring your friends!  Follow Metanoia on Facebook for updates.

May112016

Sanctum | An Emerging Gathering

This is the second year for Sanctum.  “What is sanctum?” I hear you ask.  Sanctum is an “Emerging Sacramental gathering of practitioners and dreamers to worship, recharge, share ideas, pray and support”.  A place for people on the edges to meet.

9th August 2016 2pm to 11th August 2016 2pm

at The Community of the Resurrection Mirfield

As Alt:worship practitioners there is little around in the way of support so Sue Wallace (transcendence), Edward Green and I put our heads together and decided to come together each year at Mirfield to share good practice, to pray and worship together and dream dreams together.  Last year was very organic with people with lots of experience of being part of Emerging Church gatherings, people who have always wondered what it was about and were thinking of exploring new ways of worshipping in their context and everything in between.

Mirfield is a newly ordered worship space that is perfect for the high tech and the low tech.  As a place that is used regularly for sacramental worship, there is space to use all of the senses as people explore their creativity using the traditions of the church.

Check out the site and BOOK!

May182015

Sanctum | A Gathering for Alt:Worshippers

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A few of us who are involved in Sacramental Alt Worship/Emerging Church/Fresh Expressions in the UK have been talking and we think that there is a need for a space for us to cross pollinate and dream dreams.  Wherever you come from and whatever you are hoping to see develop in the future, Sanctum could be the place for you to explore missional worship from a sacramental tradition.   There will be several practitioners involved including Sue and Malcolm Wallace from Transcendence, Eddie and Sarah Green, Ruth Sutherland and me from Metanoia and the Rock Mass and others.

The accommodation and facilities we’re using are at the Community of the Resurrection in Mirfield. Wworship will be in the newly reordered lower church with it’s great tech spec.  Full board is £104 which is not bad for a noisy retreat.  Spaces are limited so please get in touch ASAP to book.

If you want to dream dreams with us, please get in touch!

Lower Church
Jun192013

What Would Young Adults Say to The Wider Church?

I’m about to have a bishop arrive at my house to discuss how we engage with young adults 20-40 as church.  I just clicked on this link as I was going through my overflowing inbox.

Young Adults Leaving Church

I am struck by the humility of everyone speaking to camera.  I’m also struck by the apologetic nature of the comments.  How do we as The Church ™ continue to instill an atmosphere that whether explicit or implicit makes younger people feel that they are interlopers?  The image says ‘leaving’ but I suspect that ‘leaving’ is a million miles down a road not traveled.

Last night I was asked how I ended up as part of the church.  As I told my story I recounted that at 18 years old I thought that I wasn’t allowed in church.  People like me are not acceptable in church.  We’re not good enough.

Is this the lived experience of most young people or is it the prevailing media narrative as told through film, sitcoms and newspapers?

I’d better dig out the hoover before the bishop arrives.