'This is something different'

We had a great evening on Saturday night, with about 200 people coming into St Peter's. One of my volunteers has emailed me a conversation she had with someone who popped in late in the evening. It was a reminder that beneath people's very happy and fun-filled exterior there are some deep thoughts and very real worries.

Jess says, 'We had a bit of banter at the fact he spilt his tea but then he opened up out of the blue. He shared with me things that he hadn't shared with anyone: that he was "scared of dying"..."not knowing what was 'after'"...that he thought there was "something up there"...saying, "how could there not be something greater, watching over us"..he kept apologising for talking nonsense as he was a little tipsy.

He commented on how he felt "completely at peace" as soon as he walked through the door...he kept repeating how he "wasn't religious but this was something different" and how he was glad he came in. Our conversation kept being interrupted by one of his friends walking back in every few minutes, but despite the interruptions I was able to share that God does listen to him when he talks to Him, God knows his fears. I asked him if he knew about Jesus but that term just seemed too distant or had negative connotations around it. I was able to pray with him before he left, and reassured him that God did care about him and was listening. He thanked me and said he hopes "to remember tonight and come back next month. This is something different."

It was such an encouraging story, and makes staying up til 4am so worthwhile!

Gill

Night Church for the year

With the plan to continue with Night Church, here are the dates for this year

Saturday 13th August

Saturday 10th September

Saturday 8th October

Saturday 12th November

Saturday 10th December

Gill

Pilot over - Night Church carries on!

When Night Church began in December 2010, we committed ourseleves to a six month pilot - which ended in June. Throughout that time we have evaluated Night Church and looked at ways to continually improve what we are doing.

The good news is that Night Church will be continuing on the second Saturday of every month.

We have met so many lovely people over the months and have really enjoyed being able welcome people to join us - either by sitting quietly listening to the worship music, lighting a candle or chatting over a cup of tea.

In total we have had at least 1000 visitors to Night Church since it opened. Here are some recent pictures to give you a flavour of the night.

200 people come into Night Church!

On Saturday about 200 people came into Night Church. It was a great evening with lots of opportunities to chat and pray with people. There was a real mix of ages, and some people returned from previous nights bringing friends in to see us.

















Late in the evening, I was asked by three ladies to go up to the altar and to pray for them. Moments like this the make all the hard work and the lack of sleep worthwhile! I was able to speak to them about God's love for each of them and then pray for them. One of them commented at the end, 'I wish I had been in here all night, I prefer it to all the pubs we've been in to'.

Feedback from Visitors

I have been reading through some of the feedback sheets from people who have popped into Night Church over the last few months. It has been really encouraging to see that Night Church has had such a positive impact on so many people.






Here are a few examples:

• 'fantastic on so many levels'


• 'really good and relaxing, better than Cruise Nightclub'


• 'Brilliant, I wish they did something like this in Manchester'


• 'It rocks - well done'


• 'Absolutely amazing. Didn't think about things until now, after years'


• 'It's a nice contrast to all the drunkeness you see in the City'


• 'It's a brilliant idea, being able to pray for loved ones. It's really moving how much these guys care'


• 'Friendly, understanding,doors open, non-judgemental'

These comments are a great encouragement for the team as they plan for Night Church this Saturday, on 14th May.

Gill

The Great Banquet

Last Saturday there was a banquet at Night Church and we did not spend a single penny on it - really! The week before the team had been praying and sensed that the theme for Night Church was to be celebration and banquet. However, without a budget for a banquet we decided to pray and ask God to provide one. Well God really does know how to provide a great feast. Local shops and businesses provided us with an abundance of cakes, sweets, sandwiches, sausage rolls and more. They were incredibly generous and we had such a great night. People were blessed by the food, amazed that it was all free and we saw God meet with people in a very special way. An astounding 130 people came through the door during the evening.

(Gill Reeve)

Worship as evangelism

Night Church is an informal and open time, there are no set times of teaching or prayer. However, throughout the evening the musicians minister through music having listened to God in the weeks leading up to the evening. Sometimes they sense a distinct focus for the music, and throughout the evening they seek to be sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Lighting candles draws people to God

Lighting candles in the Prayer Space is always well used by people. Sometimes people to choose to light a candle quietly and then leave. Often people talk about why they are lighting one, and it often leads to an opportunity to talk with people about God or pray with them. The team have been struck by how many people struggle with grief, and many cry as the team talk with them. Perhaps in our fast moving, hedonistic world there are few places where people have the space to work through the often long and difficult road that grief takes you on.

Night Church is Open!

Night Church is Open!

The banner and the lights outside help to advertise that Night Church is open. Most people are just passing by and decide to pop in. A few people have become regulars and stay for a long while. It has been great to make some new friends, I'll try to get a few to tell their stories here soon.

A welcoming and safe place

Inside St Peter's we set out a cafe area with low lighting, candles and music playing. Our aim is to bless those who come in by the way we greet them, serving them coffee and listening to them

Night Church

Welcome to the Night Church Blog! Night Church opened in December 2010 as a six month pilot. Based at St Peter's @ the Cross in Chester it is a bit of an experiment in terms of evangelism. Night Church is open on the second Saturday of the month from 9.30pm - 2am. It is staffed by volunteers from local churches as well as students and staff from The Light Project. Night Church has three central aims

• to be a place of welcome and safety


• to be a place of hospitality


• to be a place of spirituality

I had read about other Night Churches around the country and was intrigued to find out whether opening a church in the city centre at night would be a good opportunity to engage with people in a place where they naturally hang out. We have learnt a lot over the last few months and have had really wonderful conversations with people. So many people who come in are amazed that a church is open in the early hours of the morning, and many appreciate a place of peace in contrast to the noise and busyness of the streets outside. In June we will be finishing the pilot and then considering where God is leading us for the future.