Bishop of Newcastle backs Church Army Sunday’s Get OUT More theme and DVD
The Bishop of Newcastle The Rt Revd Martin Wharton has lent his support to the theme of
for this year’s Church Army Sunday on 25th September.
The Bishop comments: “I am delighted to see that the theme of Church Army Sunday 2005 is “ Get OUT More ”- a real reminder to all parish churches of their need to be available to their local community within their local community and as part of their local community. The theme ties in very well with our diocesan strategy for evangelism and the practical tips, fact sheets and study notes on the Church Army website will be helpful resources within the diocese. The projects represented on the DVD are excellent examples of what can be achieved by working in partnership with others as together we seek to change lives and communities through living out the gospel amongst the people God has entrusted to us.”
This year’s Church Army Sunday campaign aims to help equip churches to develop an effective Christian presence in everyday situations in the community such as at car boot sales, pub quizzes, and meeting the needs of clubbers.
Steve Dixon , of Church Army and St. Michael's Church comments; “My work aims to change hearts and attitudes by enabling young people to worship and serve God in a way that they can understand and relate to. Relationships with children and young teens around the centre at Raby Cross, Byker are beginning to grow and we are seeing a real difference in attitudes to the church and our work here.”
Steve is in his first year as church based community outreach worker on the Byker Estate and he is known in the area for work with Byker Primary School and has developed a more interesting and appropriate format for working with the 9-12 age group - now known as “The Crew” which meets at St. Michael's Centre, Raby Cross every Thursday from 4.30pm .
Judith Sadler , Newcastle Diocesan Children's Advisor added; “Steve and the team have expr ess ed a way of being church that is about welcome, persistence and patience as they have honoured the children who use St. Michael's Centre and attend "The Crew".”
Church Army’s other evangelist in the area is Ian Ferguson based in Wallsend working with St Luke’s Church with the elderly in sheltered accommodation and with North Tyneside Asylum seekers unit as part of a churches working together project.
Church Army has around 350 evangelists whose aim is to share the gospel through words and action across the UK and Ireland . Their work can generally be described as pioneer evangelism - seeking to reach people that are otherwise outside the church’s influence. Church Army also finds new ways for parishes to be “mission-shaped” enabling them to have a sharper cutting edge in their mission activities.
To order resources and to express your support for the campaign, or phone Church Army on 020 8309 3519.
