Page 11 - Contact Winter 2015

THE WELCOME DESK CAFE CHURCH Why did you start helping at the welcome desk? We worship together, we pray together and People all around our district and town had I started doing the welcome desk to help Irene and to get more involved in things at church. I for one another and we even hear readings been invited; our brand new Café Church enjoy talking to diferent people and seeing new faces and having a chat with people I wouldn’t and talks from the same Bible. To all intents fag waved in the wind attracting attention know very well. and purposes, Café Church is just like “BIG” as people arrived at church; the cofee and church, except in many ways, it’s not! Café scones could be smelt from the front door Do you think it’s an important ministry in High Kirk? Church is church with a diference! Seated and everything was ready to go; all we around tables instead of rows we drink needed - the people to show! And show up cofee, eat scones and discuss the Christian they did! I think it is an important role in the ministry at church because it helps newer people feel wel- faith in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. come and I can keep younger people up-to-date with all that is going on and what that they can It is an exciting missional opportunity for Since our frst Sunday on 18th October, close get involved with, within the church as well. our church and our members to reach out to 60 people of all ages and from all walks of to friends, family, work colleagues, school life have gathered in the Oasis each week to (Elizabeth McCartney) mates, neighbours, the un-churched, the join with us as we look at ‘How To Be de-churched, the atheist, the agnostic - Happy?’ - exploring what Jesus has to say to basically anyone and everyone - and invite us about getting the most out of life and living Why did you start doing the Welcome/Information Desk? them along to something that is potentially well, based on the famous Beatitudes from life-changing and life-transforming. Matthew 5. I have been a member of the Welcome team for quite a number of years. In October 2014, Norman called a meeting to discuss revamping the Welcome/Information Desk and how, as a After months of thought, conversations and We’ve considered things that make us happy, Church, we could plenty of musing over just what Café Church things that make us sad, what it means to be improve this very important Ministry. Following this meeting, would look like, minus Richard, Sunday 18th hungry, thirsty, pure, merciful, peaceful and I volunteered to co-ordinate the monthly rota as my contribution. October came upon us and with that the how, in coming to God and receiving real I have thoroughly enjoyed my involvement with this committed excitement, the expectancy and a great deal and eternal life through Jesus’ sacrifce, we and expanding team. of nerves and prayers for a brand new season are blessed. These values, these ways of living of Café Church. laid out in the Beatitudes are so upside-down, topsy-turvy compared to what the world Do you think that it is important to have young people desires us to be, that they’re difcult at times involved in this Ministry? to even imagine. But they give us a picture of the character of the true people of God; Yes, I think it is essential because I believe that young people who have a love and passion for those who are a part of his Kingdom and have Jesus, alongside a more mature person, can make a very valuable contribution to the Welcome/ the full blessings of the Kingdom to look forward to. Taken together, they give the Information Desk, as they have a more in-depth knowledge and understanding of the picture of the perfect disciple of Christ that activities and programmes which are available within our Church, for the younger generation. we are called to be and should all desire to They also attract young people to the Desk who are more at ease speaking to someone their be. The buzz has been incredible as people own age and it also creates quite a buzz at the Desk. have engaged, chatted, explored and began a journey of and/or towards faith together. (Irene Whitbread) Sunday mornings in the Oasis have defnitely flled us with an excitement and expectancy for those who have joined us, that God will do incredible things in and through them to change their lives and the lives of the people they meet, whilst continuing to add to his church in this place. Thanks for praying for us - we really appreciate it and continue to ask that you will pray for those who came and for the Café Church team as they refect, give thanks and look ahead in planning for another season in early 2016. Andrew Dickson