Glad you joined up, nothing like a little bit of arm twisting to get people involved!
It was an evening service I went to, so it was meant to be less structured. Actually, it was a young people's evening because Chris Murphy was leading the worship. As I think I said before, there was nothing wrong at all with the service. It was just different to how it used to be when I was there all those years ago, but in a way that is right because things have to move on.
The past few Sundays I have been going to the 11am service at St George's (URC) Thornton Hough, it is a very small congregation and very traditional type of service. My son and husband joined me last weekend too, so that was good.
Anyhow, it is good to see you here, hope you keep posting so we can get these forum boards moving along, and make all Marks hard work pay off when we get the online fellowship stronger.

Hello out there back!

Thought I'd pop in on proceedings as Mark was twisting my arm on Sunday.

Hello Angela, did you go in the morning or evening - I didn't pick that up?

Mornings can be a lot more structured than the evenings and I prefer them.

That said, I'm off helping with the kids most mornings, so I don't get there too often.

Lol yes lack of structure is guaranteed to make you feel out of your depth. I always remind myself there's one God and we're all the same team. I prefer services with a projector screen as there's no confusion with finding your place in a service book or sheet. St Andrew's evening has a broad outline to its services but they are certainly not rigid in their design. The newer worship music I very much enjoy but it can be hard to pick up some of the more complex tunes

I'm glad you were spotted at St George's, something we struggle with at St A's. There are so many people and so many pillars spotting new people can be difficult. It's funny when you approach someone and it turns out they've been coming for months and you've never noticed. We definitely need to get better at informal fellowship with people we don't know. We're all a bit in our boxes nowadays.

Next time you're in the evening service at St A's come and find me, I'll be the one looking calm at the tech desk while all around me goes mad!

I think I've already gone mad!
St George's this morning was really lovely though. People were very welcoming. They have a new minister but he still picked me out as a new person, so he must have settled in quickly. It was very traditional hymn/reading/hymn/reading/hymn/sermon/hymn/prayer/hymn. So, I felt quite relaxed. Six people spoke with me after the service and I got offerred tea twice and biscuits three times. There were two babies in the congreagation, but everyone seemed relaxed about any noise they made. Might go there again soon, maybe. We did try St Andrew's before Christmas. We went to a confirmation service and then an evening service when someone we used to be friends with was doing the sermon. We felt totally out of our depth though, as we had been away from church for too long and the lack of structure was daunting. Not knowing any of the new praise songs was also an issue but again that was our fault for being out of the system for too long. I think St George's had in its favour the fact that it was a smaller church and so less overwhelming.

Yes I think belonging is very important. It's funny, when I go to St Andrew's in the morning I don't feel quite at home. I'm involved in Sunday clubs so tend to go in the evening. Visiting churches can be interesting from time to time but it's difficult to get the support we all need in our faith. God know's I'd go mad if I didn't have people to share questions, problems etc. with

Next time I'm at St Andrew's I'll ask someone I know to introduce us. This weekend I am off to Thornton Hough URC to see the new window they have installed in memory of Lord Leverhulme (3rd viscount). I grew up in Port Sunlight village, so have lovely memories of Lord Leverhulme attending school functions. It will be difficult deciding which church to settle at, but you do need to, otherwise you could end up doing too much to support both churches and not having time of your own too. It's got to be a balance. Also you don't want to end up like me just visiting churches from time to time; you need to belong.

Lol I spend a lot of time in the church when it's empty fixing tech things . I must admit though most of the time I prefer going when it's full. I'm not so much a gypsy but I do have a holiday home up at Kat's church (Jireh, Bebington) and I guess when we're married we'll have to work out where we're settling. It would be nice to meet you in St Andrew's some time when it's not so empty

Mark

I used to be at St Andrew's when I was a teenager, in the early 80's. I used to be friends with Viv. I came along to the evening services and joined YPF and then Focus. I also went to Chirst Church in Port Sunlight and also the Methodist Church. I was called a "spiritual gypsy" by one of the church leaders, but I didn't mind. I still do the same now, just pop into a church whenever I feel like it, but most times I go when the church is empty. I still live locally, in Bromborough.

Hi Angela

Good to hear from you again. We still have the garden parties (although not sure this year as the new Rector is not starting till September and we're in process of doing up the Rectory), and the holiday clubs. I tend to sort out sound systems for them too. The church one is mainly for services etc in the church building. I'm glad you have some fond memories, when was it you used to come to St Andrew's? Are you out of the area now or still local?

Mark

Hi Mark,

Thought I'd reply as I've been checking back and forth to the site, but not logged in for ages. In fact it took me a few attempts to remember my sign in details.
Having made the effort, I haven't got much to report for plans for the summer. My son is going away with the school for his main holiday. We always go to North Yorkshire for a few nights too, so will fit that in probably August. I hope you manage to achieve your plans for the summer, especially the sound system. I remember (nostalgia) when Summers at St Andrews involved Kids Club and a fantastic garden party on the rectory lawn.

Angela