Fresh Expressions in York

A ROYAL Marine Commando, a Christian skateboarder, a probation worker and the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu.....These are just a few of the guests who have been interviewed "on the settee" at an alternative Sunday evening service called The Lounge, at St Paul's Church, Holgate, York.

The monthly meeting is helping to spread the Christian message among young people and those on the fringes of church.

The atmosphere is informal, and spontaneous and recent services have tackled relevant issues like temptation, forgiveness and serving others, using entertaining videos, fun drama and lively worship.

In a style crossed between Parkinson and Songs of Praise, guests are interviewed about their life and faith on a settee at the front of the stage.

Powerful images and modern music are also used to get the Bible message across. The Lounge team often create their own "video parables" based on Bible stories and have icebreaker games to generate a relaxed atmosphere.

Dr Sentamu spoke at the service about growing up in Uganda, coming to faith as a ten-year-old and about how he was persecuted during the bloody regime of dictator Idi Amin. He embraced its spontaneous vibe by inviting a ten-year-old boy from the congregation onto the sofa with him to share his experiences of walking with God at school. The Archbishop then gave an impromptu drumming lesson before joining in with the Lounge's worship band.

St Paul's community evangelist Matt Woodcock started the service three years ago after being inspired by the church youth worker Helena Kittle.

"It was fantastic to have Dr Sentamu with us at The Lounge – he is an absolute live wire and so inspiring," said Matt, 31.

"It's great that he was prepared to come to something which is so different to what he is used to. I think he recognised that we are essentially trying to spread the gospel in a fresh way that non-church people can relate to. Ultimately we are all about people coming to know Christ."

Vicar of St Paul's, the Revd John Lee said: "The Lounge is a service where you can invite people of all ages and they will feel comfortable, particularly teenagers. In the interviews and videos people share real experiences of God."

Youth leaders at a neighbouring church in the York area and another in Greater Manchester and Barnsley have already adopted the style of The Lounge to great effect after visiting St Paul's with their leaders and youth groups.

The service is held at St Paul's on the first Sunday of the month at 6.30pm. For more information log-on to the church website at www.stpaulsyork.org.uk

About Fresh Expressions

Fresh Expressions was launched in 2004 as both acknowledgement and response to changing patterns of culture and worship in society. In recognition that traditional Sunday morning worship was no longer the norm for many, and that the nature of communities was changing, Fresh Expressions seeks to provide a church experience to people in different places – and in the kind of networks that more keenly reflect today's society. Whether school or cafe based, youth or alternative worship focused, or offering worship mid-week instead of weekends, Fresh Expressions helps Christianity blossom in a variety of new ways. 

Visit the Fresh Expressions website.