When St Leonard's Church in Banbury took part in Back to Church Sunday last year, five new adults and three children came through the door, adding to the usual congregation of around 50 adults and 20 children.
“Of those, one is now a regular part of the congregation, another is getting to be regular and the others we see from time to time,” says the Vicar, the Revd Mark Charmley.
Partly in preparation for Back to Church Sunday, St Leonard’s created a high-quality leaflet about the church, which was delivered to every house in the parish.
“Members of the congregation were encouraged to invite people, of which one of those eight was a result,” says Mark. “I also wrote to all wedding, baptism and funeral contacts, as well as anyone else in my database.”
He says the service was no different from usual. “It was just our best of everything. Our best readers read, the hymns were good sings, the choir sang their best anthems, even the sermon was good, I think. Coffee was with cake not biscuits, the flowers looked excellent, and we had the heating on a little longer. The regulars were primed and gave visitors a good welcome.”
Charles was one of those who came to St Leonard’s as a result of the Back to Church invitation.
He says: “I have been a regular attender at various churches on and off all my life. I used to sing in the choir at St John’s Farnham Common.
“However, in May 2006 I moved to Banbury. Being somewhat busy at work and with the new house, I got out of the habit of going to church.
“Then I thought about finding a choir in the local area, and looked on the internet for suitable local churches. Although St Leonard’s has a website, I did not come across it.
“However, just at the crucial moment, I received through my door the notice about Back to Church Sunday from St Leonard’s.
“I had driven past St Leonard’s numerous times but had never stopped to go in. I took the notice as a good reason to go and see for myself. When I arrived I was warmly welcomed by the Verger and later by the Vicar. After the service (we have coffee in the back of church after Sunday services) I was able to talk to a number of people, and found that I would be welcome in the choir, and the rest, as they say, is history.”
