Informal Communion at All Saints, Kings Langley
At All Saints Kings Langley there’s a Family Service with Communion on the First
Sunday in every month. This is not so much a ‘Fresh Expression’, more an attempt
to ‘refresh’ the life of the church community. The aim is to hold a service where
parents and children stay together for the whole time -
Each service has a theme. In Lent, for example, the theme for one service was ‘Racing towards Easter’ and began with a pancake race around the aisles. At another we were reminded that we all have personal desert places. A desert was created, and members of the congregation placed stones around it as they came to the altar. The children added the toy camels!
Most of our elderly worshippers seem to enjoy these informal services, and we do attract a few people who only come to them. They are publicised round the village with brightly coloured posters and a report is published in the Village Magazine.
One Pentecost Julian the Juggler reminded us that the Holy Spirit keeps us buoyant. Under his supervision everyone tried juggling with red chiffon scarves. It was very impressive, giving the impression of flames dancing all over the church.
A small group meets two or three times a year to plan ahead, and to ensure that Bible readings and intercessions fit together. There is generally a short, chatty homily. The possibilities seem endless. We have explored ‘Helping Each Other’, discovering that it took quite a number of people to keep a balloon moving to and fro across the nave. One Christian Aid Week we tried spinning plates and quickly discovered that if you want to spin a plate it has to be empty. Third World countries have far too many empty plates. Christian Aid tries to put food on them.
These informal Communion services started four years ago. It is surprising what you can do in a medieval church with fixed pews! It’s all about getting the balance right. And that was the theme of another of our services, when we tried balancing peacock feathers on our hands. Not as easy as it looks!
More information from the Church Administrator on 01923 266596.