What to expect at our Term Time Sunday Gatherings - Winter 2024 update!

We're not following a blue print for "how to plant a church". We're pioneering... praying, exploring, and sharing together as we respond to what God's doing in this place. So our worship style is emerging in response to the gifts each person brings, with deep roots into the various Christian traditions.  So come as you are, walk with us for a while... experience church - but perhaps not as you know it!

Regular Sunday Gatherings

(3.30-5pm, Pathfinder School Hall during Term)

As we arrive at 3.30pm, we help ourselves to refreshments (available throughout), and choose a table or activity to start exploring the theme of the day, perhaps through encounters with friends and soon-to-be-friends, or taking some time to focus on God.  There will normally be a colouring station - feel free to chat with others, or just spend time with your thoughts... and God!

After 10-20 minutes, we'll draw together from across the gathering activities, joining together to worship God - (or, if all this is new,  reflecting on what worship might mean to us)
 

From these roots, we start to look for the crossovers between our experience today and the accounts found in the bible - the lived experiences of God's people down the ages. 

Our Exploration may include dramatic readings  from the Bible (we love to use THE VOICE bible translation alongside the NRSV,and our Church Journaling Bibles (Good News Translation)  reminding us that whenever we read the Bible we read it in translation.) There may also be contemporary input (perhaps through music, poetry, or video). These usually lead to free-flow exploration of various interactive stations. Families often visit these stations together, or children and adults from different households might find themselves working together. Some people may choose to sit in quiet reflections. Others may read some of the books, commentaries, and articles that we share. We make a point of sharing resources from a wide range of Christian traditions - we won't all agree with all that we read!

This half term, we're bringing back the "Chat Zone"  - with discussion prompts to get the conversation started. (And discussions might well continue in the Tap and Social later!)

Afterwards, we gather back to share what we've been noticing. No one is required to speak, but we love hearing from those who want to share. These reflections then inspire our subsequent prayers and worship. On Holy Communion weeks, we will weave our Explorations into our Offering as we prepare to share in bread and wine: and encounter God around the Table.
 

Our time together is special... but it's just the start of a whole week walking with The Pathfinder in our day to day lives. So we conclude by asking what challenge or encouragement we might take with us. How will our faith help us? How will God sustain us? What might God have prepared for us to do, in God's power, in the places we spent time?

Exactly where this element happens might vary depending on the theme, but there will always be space to share important news from the church family, as well as opportunities to join in with the wider Northstowe Church Network or Northstowe Community

What is Intergenerational Worship?

Intergenerational worship IS about:

• building relationships—offering a key time for people to get to know each other better and build a sense of connection;
• a time of worship and learning that is offered in a simplified and participatory way—simple does not mean shallow; rather it enables everyone to contribute and receive in a meaningful and appropriate way;
• •providing an inclusive experience and a sense of belonging —helping everyone of all abilities to feel part of the body of Christ, whatever their experience;
• being a bridge—not only between ages but also for those who are exploring what being part of a church means. This relaxed service style can provide a comfortable place for some to discover more about Christianity;
• encouragement, nurture and inclusiveness—it is a means by which faith can grow and, in turn, inform life-making or life-changing decisions;
• exploring vocation—an opportunity to discover and develop gifts and calling.

Intergenerational worship is NOT about:

•  limiting the richness of resources used;
•  oversimplifying the message or adding a children’s talk into the ‘usual’ service;
• unstructured and chaotic worship;
• children having token responsibilities for roles and participation;
• limiting potential to explore faith and discipleship together;
• nuclear families exclusively worshipping together.

How we share Holy Communion within Sunday Gatherings

We come from many different Christians traditions - and many of us our completely new to faith! So sharing in communion is both beautiful... and a little messy as we seek to honour each other well!  We ask that all those taking part do so in line with their own position and heritage., and to be gracious to those whose traditions might be rather different! For those new to all this, we encourage you to talk this over with us, and we love to offer blessings to everyone!

Afternoon Tea

half termly, in place of a regular Gathering, bringing the whole Northstowe Church Network today - see Dates
3.30-5pm in the School Hall

Festivals

Pathfinder Church also support the school community at various key points in the term - such as bringing along the Deckchair Listening Project and offering First Day Coffee and Chat, or providing breakfast and a reflective start to the term for staff on their inset day.