My Ministry - Revd Joe Smith

Have you ever had an invitation you felt challenged to accept?  Whether it is a birthday party, a social event, or a children’s party at a soft play centre, we often find ourselves looking for reasons to say no! As adults, we became comfortable in our own routines, going to work, returning home, closing the door and drawing the curtains.

However, when it comes to an invitation to church, that's another level for many people. They may be unsure what to expect or had preconceived ideas about what church might involve.

The Week of Invitation at St Oswald's started three years ago and offers a whole week of events that people can invite friends and family to attend, creating relaxed and welcoming opportunities to connect with the church community.

This year's programme included a quiz night, a men’s curry night, an Italian meal, a live music event in the church, a cream tea party and a nature walk. These activities provided an informal way for people to spend time together, with events that were enjoyable and easy to invite someone to. The week then led towards Invitation Sunday, when members of the congregation were encouraged to invite friends to a church service followed by food. The aim was to keep the occasion relaxed and welcoming, helping to ease any anxieties about attending church.

Revd Joe Smith explains that the message behind the Week of Invitation at St Oswald's is simple: success is not measured by whether someone accepted the invitation and came to church, but by whether the invitation had been offered in the first place. The congregation are encouraged to leave the outcome to God and trust that every invitation had value.

Reflecting on his own experience of joining the church community, Patrick who organises the curry night says that the men’s evenings have become a valuable opportunity to strengthen friendships, develop fellowship and bring people together.

Watch Joe and Patrick talking about The Week of Invitation