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Connecting with Tourists in place of worship
Lifewords have developed a new range of contact cards designed primarily for the increasing number of tourists visiting the UK's historic cathedrals and churches. Four cards carry prayers for direction, rest, faith and peace, and provide opportunity to enquire further about the Christian faith using a CEA-addressed tear-off section. According to Jeremy Williams at Lifewords, the project started with "some in-depth research into how many people are visiting places of worship, why they do so, and their responses to the buildings when they're there". Tourism accounts for the lowest proportion of visits by non-regular churchgoers (many more visit to go to weddings and funerals for instance), nevertheless millions of tourists visit annually. Some buildings are visited more than others. The main cathedrals are favourites, while other places have become celebrities as a result of associations with events or stories. At Scotland's Rosslyn Chapel, visits jumped from 9,500 a year to 117,000 after being named in the Da Vinci Code film as the resting place for the Holy Grail - prompting the minister to resign from what he said had become a 'Disneyland' for Da Vinci Code fans. Tourist visits to churches are, in the main, motivated by an interest in history and architecture. "However," Jeremy says, "when asked what factors are actually important about churches, visitors speak about spaces to reflect, beauty, or a chance to light a candle and pray. This is where these cards are designed to connect, and provide a sensitive encouragement for exploring faith further." More details about the cards are at lifewords.info/uk (or call 020 7730 2155).
Taste and see... at Christmas and Easter Mince pies are often on the menu at carol services and now churches can serve them with a message.
Linda Ashford, District Evangelism and Mission Enabler for the Methodist Church in Staines devised the original Easter serviette to give away with Hot Cross Buns and over 70,000 were used last Easter. "This is something everyone can do set up a stall at your church and give visitors or passers-by a mince pie or hot cross bun with a serviette. Its a great conversation starter," said Linda. CPO have supplies of Christmas and Easter outreach serviettes (click on relevant link or telephone 01903 263354).
Cathedrals exhibition features Nature and Angels cards
Launched at Coventry Cathedral on 1st May 2006, the circular exhibition tells the story of creation in art and words on ten panels. Visitors can take a 'Supernatural - echoes of Eden' postcard which offers a set of Natural Realm Cards from Christian Enquiry Agency. A second exhibition on Angels has been created, using the 'Spend a week with the Angels' postcards. For details of the exhibitions and the cards, which are available for churches to use, see deo-gloria.co.uk or call 020 8651 6246.
Life-changing invitation in coffee shops, hotels, wedding fairs ... More and more churches are using the Life Issues contact cards in creative ways, resulting in hundreds of people enquiring about the Christian faith. 
The four eye-catching cards tackle issues that many people are struggling with today - forgiveness, satisfaction, stress and knowing you are really loved. Some churches are using the themes in services or outreach events and make the cards available. Chaplains use them in prisons, hospitals and Asda stores. In Blackburn and Swansea the churches gave them out in door to door work. A church coffee shop in Market Harborough puts the cards in the menu holders on tables. A Christian hotel has them for guests. In West Croydon a church puts the 'love' card in the order of service at weddings, and in Manchester they were given out at a wedding fair. Each card is a double postcard - half has a Bible verse to reflect on and an invitation to associated content on rejesus.co.uk. The other half can be sent freepost to Christian Enquiry Agency for a free booklet about the Bible and life today. If churches use 500 or more cards they can contact CEA for a personal code to mark on each card, and can then know the response level and be involved in follow-up. For details of a special offer, see deo-gloria.co.uk or call 020 8651 6246.
Supermarkets are where we can, seemingly, 'get whatever we want' - the choice is mind-boggling. ASDA, spurred on by owners Wal Mart, have gone further by offering spiritual help for its customers and the CEA Life Issues contact cards are playing a part. Revd Roger Leigh in Gloucester, from Cutting Edge Ministries, is one of the many volunteer chaplains in ASDA's 275 stores. "It's a great way to meet people. I stand in the foyer twice a week and am available for people," said Roger.
His presence is promoted on leaflets and announced over the PA and he gets involved in counselling situations, often giving the customer a 'get whatever I want' contact card to take home and use to think about life and get in touch with Christian Enquiry Agency. "The cards tackle relevant issues and are high quality. It's good to give people something to take away," added Roger. The Life Issues contact cards, which cover satisfaction, stress, forgiveness and love, are resulting in hundreds of people contacting Christian Enquiry Agency. Churches in Blackburn and Swansea are using them for door-to-door visiting. They are ideal for use in Christian coffee bars. The 'love' cards are being given to guests at weddings and the 'stop.rewind' cards used at Easter. For details see our Resources page.
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