Wander into Exeter Cathedral Green on a Friday night: see the group gathered around a large brazier by the War Memorial; smell the burgers being grilled and hear the conversation and banter between cooks, servers and those enjoying the food. You’ve just encountered the edge of Nightchurch.
Overseen by Dave Morgan, a trained chef who coordinates the Big Issue sellers in Exeter, this is the Nightchurch BBQ. See the lights on in the Cathedral and enter. Here is our Welcome Team led by Viv Asher who will chat with you and hand you a programme of the evening’s activities. If you are looking for solitude you will not be pestered but, if you would like a tour it can be arranged.
Soak up the magical
atmosphere of the Cathedral lit only by candlelight and roof lights. You hear the sound of conversation and laughter; go through to the Fairtrade Café in the Chapter House. Mugs of hot tea, coffee and biscuits are served by Margaret Williams and her hospitality team. Sit at a candlelit table and talk with the other guests, play a board game or enter the discussion concerning the debt problems faced by the world’s poorest countries.
At the East end of the Cathedral you may find our Listening and Healing team coordinated by Elsie Howells. Here is a chance to talk confidentially with someone and receive quiet prayer for God’s healing and direction. Should you wish to find a quiet space enter one of the chapels that has been prepared by Erika Davies and the Spirituality group with a prayer station. Put a stone on the cairn for someone you know carrying a heavy burden or light a candle.
On your way back down the North Ambulatory you may meet some of our stewards led by Andrew Gullick, or Jim Pilkington our Nightchurch Virger. Their
around a community gathering on Friday nights, 8pm-11pm. It has been running for two years. We are a group of 40 people with a passion to share God’s love with the generation that the Church is generally missing. We are attempting to become a home for those who are searching for meaning and truth in their lives and yet find they do not connect with traditional church.
ministry is vital to Nightchurch’s effectiveness as we deliberately set out to be an inclusive community where everyone can find a place to belong. We are all wounded in various ways but some are more vulnerable than others.
At 9pm, in the Justice and Peace Chapel (now warmly carpeted), you can join a learning group where Frank Rothery facilitates a conversation about aspects of God, faith and life. At 9.30pm, all the different activities of Nightchurch come together in central worship, sometimes a Eucharist, more often a service of the Word, an opportunity to offer everything back to the Living God and to look for renewed hope, strength and guidance.
Nightchurch is a fresh expression of church based
Alongside this Friday night ministry, Steve Jones, our Team Coordinator, is teaching and mentoring Pioneer Disciples on a year long course. Last year six pioneers graduated (three of which still serve with
Nightchurch) and this year there are six more.
We are seeking to be an inclusive community with Christ at the centre, learning how to be generous with hospitality, creative in spirituality and passionate about justice. Nightchurch is not perfect! We are a bit messy, we make mistakes and are learning as we go. We have certainly not arrived but we are on the way: an exciting journey in good company. God is teaching us as we travel with him.
Mark Rylands Canon Missioner, Diocese of Exeter
www.nightchurch.org.uk
www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk
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rural mission
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