In an effort to connect with the local community and share a message of hope this Easter, St Andrew's Church in Starbeck decided to try something new.
Each morning during Holy Week the church opened up it's doors, offering tea, coffee and cake in their Welcome Centre, along with an interactive Easter prayer journey in the main church hall. Each station provided a simple prayer activity that helped people think and reflect on the Easter story.
There was a steady flow of visitors throughout the week, including a mixture of different age groups and those who were new to the Harrogate area and looking for a church and community groups to connect with.
The Revd Phil Carmen, Vicar of St Andrew's Church Starbeck, said, "It was great to open the church and Welcome Centre to the community of Starbeck during Holy Week. Some of the team wondered out on to the High Street to chat to people and invite them in. It was all quite low key. Simply offering a cup or tea or coffee, a friendly welcome, an invitation to learn more about the Easter story and offer space to pray and reflect. In an increasingly busy world we find people value space to stop, think and pray."
A joint church breakfast was then provided on Easter Sunday morning. The church hall was filled with long tables as people of all ages from Starbeck's two congregations gathered together to wish each other a Happy Easter with Eggs, ham, bread rolls, coffee, tea and juice. The breakfast proved a great introduction to Starbecks' joint 10am Easter Day Celebration service.