On Pentecost Sunday last year, Droitwich curate,
Laura Handy, launched a new type of church
service in Droitwich Parish, based at St Andrew’s
Church. “Although there is lots of great worship
happening across our churches in Droitwich, we felt
it was all quite similar,” she explains. “We wanted
to create a different kind of worship, which aimed
to be a gracious and welcoming space in which to
encounter God.”
The evening service starts at 6.30pm with coffee
and then there is a time of guitar-led worship and
an informal and interactive talk or bible study.
“We started with no real expectations of who might enjoy this style of service and
as we’ve seen who is coming along, the format has developed,” says Laura. “We’ve
been quite surprised at the different people who have joined us and found it helpful in
their encounter with God. People talk about it being an ‘oasis’, a place to step away
from their daily life and responsibilities and be refreshed, which is brilliant. It’s very
encouraging to see people now starting to bring friends and neighbours along.”
The service is led by Laura herself along with Team Rector Nigel, who plays guitar and
is developing a worship band. It’s been a natural ‘post-Alpha’ space as there is more
of a community/ discussion feel with space for people to get to know each other better.
“Although some who attend belong to other congregations, there are also various
people who haven’t been to church for a long time, or who hover on the edge of
traditional church,” says Laura. “It’s been great fun setting it up and it’ll be interesting
to see how the next chapter unfolds!”
Please pray for the service in Droitwich and for all those working in churches to bring
different styles of worship to a range of different people.
Evesham Deanery: Rural Dean: Richard Thorniley; Lay Chair: Liz Booth
Diocese of Portsmouth: Bishop Christopher Foster
Diocese of Stockholm: Bishop Eva Brunne
Diocese of Remo (Nigeria): Bishop Michael Fape
