Lode Chapel - Celbrating the Present
The second of a three part story - Past, Present and Future!
Last month I told you a bit about our history, noting that
2010 marks 200 years since the purchase of the land upon which Lode
Chapel is built. Although it is a listed building and of historic interest,
the life of Lode Chapel is not, however, confined to the history books
- the believers who meet there continue to communicate their Christian
faith in ways which are relevant to the twenty-first century. Sunday
services are family friendly every week with a cr¨che and activities for
children of primary and secondary school ages. There is also a thriving
weekly youth group, TGI Fridays, and the young people make a valuable
contribution to the life of the church. As well as leading a special
service every couple of months or so, some of them are involved in
leading worship each week by playing drums, guitar, bass and saxophone as
vital members of the music team. Others are involved in puppet ministry
or in assisting with the technology, like helping to project songs and
videos onto the big screen.
Although the majority of attenders are families with children, the congregation is also blessed by its older members too, and the age of those in attendance ranges from 2 all the way up to 92. The church also has an active involvement in Queens Court, the residential nursing home in Bottisham, holding services there and providing pastoral support through chaplaincy.
One of the regular activities in Lode Chapel's diary has been the Summer Holiday Bible Club held at Bottisham Primary School. Since 2006, we've also been holding a monthly Sunday morning "holiday club" style event at the school - now known as RE:NEW Kids Club - with up to 90 people in attendance. This and other RE:NEW events, such as RE:NEW Café, and trips to the beach and IKEA, have come out of our close working relationship with the Anglicans. The contemporary journey of faith now has a fresh and creative feel -"long gone are the days of the division between chapel and church" Christians are now working in partnership as we seek to serve the communities of which we are part!
We'd like to tell you more about what"s happening at Lode Chapel and invite you to be part of our bicentenary commemorations. We'd particularly like to invite you to a special celebration service we're holding at the Chapel on Sunday 14th February at 5.30pm. You'll be welcome if you just turn up, but as we"re planning to make some tea and cake available after the service, it would be helpful if you could let me know if you intend to come (contact details below). In next month"s article, the final part of this series, we'll focus on the exciting plans for the future that are going to be presented as part of the celebrations on the 14th February. I look forward to seeing you then.