Testimonials

A special time this morning at Anlaby Park Methodist Church, being part of their ‘ENCOUNTER’ – intergenerational – worship. The gifted local team had crafted a creative and helpful order of worship thinking about the Coronation, and King Jesus’ invitation to his banquet. I was asked to provide 9 words I’d include in my talk. I think it was the first time anyone has shouted ‘BINGO’ during my talk!! And the highlight, for me, was people laying their crowns before Jesus… it was very moving.

The training provided by the Encounter team was excellent, and was one of my favourite sessions at Easter School with my theological college. Their enthusiasm for true intergenerational worship is infectious. To have this website resource, with “off the peg” services that can be adapted for our own contexts is an absolute gift. For any parish that needs help making worship accessible for families and children (even with limited resources), I would highly recommend this training.

Having been involved in leading ENCOUNTER several times, I must confess to feeling somewhat apprehensive at first as the concept was way out of my comfort zone. But in reality, working with the team to plan the services was hugely supportive and spiritually uplifting, and then being a part of the leadership on the Sunday was immensely rewarding. It was amazing to find that it was possible to engage with all age groups in a single act of worship and I enjoyed the challenge of exploring the scripture in just 7 minutes in a way that was meaningful and reassuring for everyone.