Welcome and hospitality are two important aspects of the Christian tradition and is something that the Methodist Church in Nantwich strives to do really well.
Over 15 years ago there was great debate and major decisions to be made over the use of the premises. We had two large buildings, a beautiful 200yr old, listed traditional Wesleyan Methodist church building and, on the opposite of the road, a large Methodist school hall. The cost of the maintenance and upkeep of both buildings was rising and after much prayer and heart searching the decision was taken to sell the church building.
A new, purpose-built community church was formed within the school room complex, fully equipped with modern facilities and teams of people eager to ‘welcome the stranger’ into their midst. ‘Being church’ does not just happen on a Sunday, the premises are used virtually everyday of the week on a regular basis and eagerly engages with visitors attending the town’s many festival weekends. During the night, at weekends, it hosts the Street Pastor team.
Food is an important aspect of what the church provides, from simple coffee and teacakes to a full three course meal, it offers the opportunity to rest, share fellowship and meet new friends.
Last Sunday David and I attended the 10th anniversary service of the ‘new church fellowship’ and It was good to welcome back Rev Bryan Tolhurst, who was responsible for guiding the church family through the process of change all those years ago.
Pictured above are Eddie, Carole, Nita and Liz, key members of the catering team who provided us with a three course meal after the service, offering again the opportunity to share fellowship catch up with friends and meet new ones.
‘Take care to keep open house: because in this way some have had angels as their guests, without being conscious of it.’ Hebrews 13:2 (Bible in Basic English)
Sandra
