Music can name the unnameable.......

Part of the fantastic atmosphere in Night Church is created by a wide variety of musicians who come to play for us. Some are individuals while others come in small groups, but what they all have in common is a huge amount of talent. We are so very grateful for them giving up their time to come and play.

In April we had some really amazing music, I would happily have paid to listen to it. We had violins, trumpets, flautist, guitars, vocalists...it was brilliant. One visitor arrived in Night Church saying that someone in a nearby bar has told them to pop in because there were some really good live sets happening. That's a great recommendation and a really big compliment to our musicians.

The Bible talks a lot about music and songs. Music is such a wonderful part of the world God made and it can speak to us in ways that are very special. At Night Church a man came in and listened to the music for quite a long time. As he left, our door staff noticed that he was quite upset and invited him back in to chat with someone. It took quite a while for him to say anything but he gradually shared how his dad was dying and how impossible he found it to accept the situation. We chatted for a long time and I encouraged him to read the Psalms which have examples of people crying out to God in times of desperate struggle and need. Of course some of those Psalms were oringinally songs of praise or lament, reminding me that music can span such a wide range of emotions and speak to our very souls. Beethoven said that 'music is a higher revelation than philosophy' and Leonard Bernstein comments that 'music can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable'. In Night Church I see how music can connect people to God and speak to them in ways that simple spoken words alone can't - that music can indeed name the unnameable.

It really is a church!

Occasionally people wander into Night Church thinking that it's the pub next door. They have a bit of a shock! Some young lads came in last night and we had quite a laugh together over their mistake. They were completely amazed that we really were a church open for them to pop into at 1.30am in the morning. I offered them a coffee but they were after something a bit stronger and so with a high five to me they left. I like those funny moments - it's good to laugh with people.

Here's a picture of two of our volunteers, Jamie Edwards and Peter Fabian. They do a great job on the door chatting with people who pass by and inviting them in.

Gill

Night Church Team

Night Church is run by a team of fantastic volunteers, who regularly give up a Saturday evening in order to be available to people in the city centre at night.

They help in a variety of different way; in the cafe, on the door, with the prayer team. Others are musicians who come and play during the evening. I am really grateful to them all for their enthusiasm and dedication. Below is a picture of the January team - they come from 8 different churches in Chester. We work together for a common purpose; to share God's love with those who do not know it

Love in the Air!

For the second time we have had a couple get engaged at Night Church - it seems that the beauty of St Peter's brings out the romance in people! In December a man took his partner up to the altar and got down on one knee - it was a lovely moment to watch. Sadly we did not have any champagne to celebrate the moment...maybe we should keep a bottle ready for next time?!

'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.