On Sunday 6 October, a new Forest Café church was launched at St Bartholomew’s Church Tardebigge.
Under a large gazebo in a field between the local primary school and the church, people gathered in the damp weather to worship and wonder at creation together. There was a relaxed atmosphere, as the bible was read and people of all ages collected colourful leaves and made a forest collage, with a fire pit crackling away to add to the autumn scene. Prayers were shared and simple hymns were sung.
After this, a BBQ was fired up for the ‘café’ part of the service, and everyone enjoyed sausages and bacon rolls, with lots of tea and coffee to keep everyone warm.
The children were happy to explore the field after joining in, and parents said they loved to see them enjoying the outdoors and playing together, getting them away from their screens! Families who don’t normally attend church were drawn from the school community, which has very close links with St Bartholomew’s, and members of the regular congregation helped everything to go smoothly. Parents shared how they felt comfortable to bring their children to a service that is less formal, and where the children could move around and tune in to God and how he is present in the natural world around us.
Dean Hall, Curate at St. Bartholomew’s, was really pleased with how the service had gone and to see all the families who had come along for the first time to engage with God in a new way.
One Dad commented:
"We particularly like Forest Cafe because being outside means you can stretch and feel the breeze, and appreciate creation whilst being a part of it. We really treasure this opportunity because it involves the children more - they can explore, runaround and take part, but on a more physical level than perhaps they would otherwise."
Any parish looking to set up their own Forest Cafe church can contact Kim Brown in the Transformation Support Hub team for further advice and support: Transformation Support Hub contact details
Watch a video of the launch of Forest Café.
