Ilkley Baptist

For the past couple of months, the first hymn on Sunday mornings has been followed by the 'briefing,' a chance to share news. Anyone in the congregation can say anything, so sometimes someone will give a notice or a reminder. Sometimes a visitor will be introduced. Sometimes someone will just say how they're feeling or tell about what they did last week.

I've been tremendously heartened by the way it's gone. For a start it has gone well. Each time there have been people wanting to say things, and they've spoken appropriately and at the right length. A great variety of people have spoken, and people have seemed very relaxed about it. It has felt natural not forced.

More importantly, though, I've found it a very valuable part of worship. It helps us to be aware of one another. We may arrive at church full of our own preoccupations, but worship is a collective act, and in the briefing we become aware of the variety and breadth of the congregation. Better even that this, it is a powerful sign that worship is not a special activity, remote from life, but is the other side of the things we do Sunday to Sunday. Our working lives, our friendships, holidays, disasters and joys are what we bring and what worship and faith deal with.