The heavenly host spreads its wings…

The Ark, Highwoods Methodist Church in Colchester, has shared Christmas angels to mark this year's festivities, as the Revd Chris Preece explains.

What do you talk about in the car on the way home from Synod? In September, two of us travelling back were talking about ways in which we could combine outreach into the community with worship. The idea of making angels as invitations for the carol service was born. By the following morning both the Revd Chris Preece and Rachel van Staveren had each made an angel!

We shared the idea at The Ark, Highwoods Methodist Church in Colchester, and the idea took off!

The knitting needles came out, cross stitch patterns were shared, and paper folding began. Our church became a hive of industry over the next few months with angel production in full flow. The Well Methodist Church and Castle Methodist Church, of which Chris is also the minister, got involved as well and, between them, several hundred angels have been made and shared across the city. The purchase by one member of a 3D printer has also seen the diversity of the heavenly host increase!

What started as a conversation in the car has turned into a project which has drawn people together. The three churches have shared with one another, angels have appeared at Zoom meetings, and knitting needles and crafting has been shared as part of the Warm Spaces run by the churches. People less proficient at crafting have helped by producing invitation labels or cutting out templates of angels. Rev Chris Preece said, "It has been lovely to see the enthusiasm of people in getting involved. There’s been such a buzz. People’s confidence in sharing their faith has increased by inviting people to come along to the Carol Services in each of the churches."

Rachel van Staveren said “So many people come onto our premises during the week and we wanted them to know that our church is their church. We have been overwhelmed at how quickly the angels have been taken from the display in our foyer and we hope that our message has reached the hearts of people who have received an angel invitation.”

The local newspaper covered the idea, and others have picked up on it. We have wondered why this might have been the case and think it is the simplicity of it which appeals. Chris said, "We have been able to share with one another both in craft and conversation what it means to share the gospel message of Jesus with others both within and beyond the church."

Inevitably, the question has been asked about how many people will come and of course we hope people will respond. Equally, for those offering the invitation, being willing to share their faith in a new way is important. Connecting the church and community through prayer and for the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of people this Christmas is at the heart of this project.

Who knows what the conversation in the car on the way home from synod might bring next year?!