The Rector writes...

How the church welcomes us to 'just take a look'

One of the valuable things about a Medieval-style church building such as we have here in Armitage is its valuable hiding places - the reasons for which I will come to in a moment.

Those who congregate within it each week to keep company with God, know in their bones that they are welcome there, and because of this it is only polite to extend that welcome to others.

And that is not as easy as it might appear, because some who come like a warm welcome, but others want to 'test the water' first, to be sure it is a right move for them.  Some want to be there for one special occasion and some like the thought they they might like to become more involved.

And so this is where the 'woodland feel' of a Medieval building provides excellent cover for those who are not quite sure.

Anyone who wants to just 'take a look' at the way we give service to God can easily slip in the the side aisles and, from there, observe what happens.  They can come and go like the morning mist!

Anyone who comes new can rest assured that the person who speaks to them or hands them a book at the door is just trying to be kind and not trying to ensnare them in some kind of 'churchy mechanism'.

The congregation present may look a very permanent affair but, in reality, is a constantly changing body of people - rather like the population of this village!