ST ANSELM’S Anglican Church in the parish of Kingsley-Woodvale is preparing for an influx of worshippers at its regular services this Sunday, September 12, for Back to Church Sunday.
The concept, which began in England in 2003, encourages parishioners to invite a friend who has lost contact with the church to join them at a regular Sunday service.
More than 600 Anglican churches took part nationally last year, some reporting double their usual numbers.
Back to Church Sunday ran as a pilot program at Sydney’s St Paul’s Chatswood in 2008.
St Paul’s is now the national hub for the program, led by assistant minister Deb Gould.
“Back to Church Sunday is all about the people who are not normally in church,” she said.
“We have encouraged congregations to try to look at their churches, facilities and services through the eyes of someone not familiar with it all, and try to make it as accessible and user-friendly as possible.
“We also realise that there are people who might have been hurt by the church or some of its members over the years.
“Most churches that took part last year used the occasion as an opportunity to say sorry to those who felt they had been wronged in some way by the church.
“This apology helped a lot of these people to start to move forward, and to re-connect with their local church.”
This year’s theme, ‘Come as you are’, reassures people that they are welcome without any expectations. St Anselm’s in Forest Hill Drive has services at 7.30am and 9am.