One of our Bradford area churches has been helping people on their commutes manage the dark winter mornings.
A team from St John the Divine, Menston, spent last week serving free teas, coffees and hot chocolates to early morning commuters heading to Leeds and Bradford at Menston station.
The team, led by the Revd Jo Glenwright, vicar of the church, wanted to be with the commuters on the cold dark mornings and offer some cheer to them.
Over the week the team brewed 18 litres of coffee and 21 litres of tea, with tea being the most popular.
While giving the drinks out conversations were had about people’s work, the stresses of the morning and their football teams.
Revd Jo said: “We were inspired by a free church doing this at Horsforth station about ten years ago, when I was a commuter – it felt lovely to receive something when it happened to me.
“We spoke to early morning commuters, often with their headphones in and heads down.
“They were not ready for a vicar in a Santa hat offering them a brew!
“But most people smiled and said thank you, whether or not they had one.
“We thought it was about the teas and coffee, but really it was about being present and being with people.
“The drinks gave us a reason to be there and to interact with them.
“Getting up in the dark at 6am was really quite eye opening, as none of us wanted to do that ourselves, so we knew a bit of what they were going through - getting ready for a 7am train in the second week of December is grim!
“But we were with them in it, and they could see and know that.”
The activity caused quite a stir, with people all along the line curious about what was happening at Menston, and several sharing their free drinks on social media.
Revd Jo said: “Someone asked me for help with purchasing a ticket, assuming I was with Northern Rail.
“I said, no, I'm a vicar, and we laughed and she said, say a prayer then!
“We agreed automated ticket machines are beyond prayer!
“It was interesting to be offering something people needed and wanted for free, and see the responses this got.
“Some were reluctant, some hesitant, some distrusting, some confused, some questioning why.
“Tea and coffee on a cold morning is an easy offer, and still people struggled to accept and trust the offer easily - so too with the gospel.
“But I am encouraged, that it's our culture that breeds wariness of something good and loving for free.
“It's not that the Gospel itself is especially suspicious to people, but anything good and free in this world is.
“Whilst that's sad, it should embolden us to keep offering, and keep us being present.
“Something being good and free is sadly noteworthy.
“But let's shock and surprise people with what we have to offer this Christmas and in 2025, we might just warm their hearts.”
A BBC Radio Leeds interview with Revd Jo about what St John's Menston have been up to can be found here.