A Cambridge God Adventure 15) Harvest with a difference

The prayer diary records all this discussion and also how earlier initiatives, like the formation of gift groups, were gathering speed.  In particular the Evangelism Group under the leadership of Jim Adam, a very gifted retired Area Superintendent, was moving in exciting ways on two projects.

One was a visitation mission in Caxton, a village some eight miles outside Cambridge. Its Baptist church neared extinction, but the evangelism group (after training sessions) visited villagers and invited them to come to the almost defunct chapel for a Harvest Festival. A crowded chapel thrilled us with possibilities for new life ahead.Caxton was embedded in our prayers.

The other project focused on our own Harvest Festival weekend. Traditionally the church was decorated with some of the brightness and beauty of God's world. Members with gardens brought in greenery, vegetables, fruit, and armfuls of brilliant blooms. Though a large space, members filled up all the window-sills alongside a magnificent display at the front.  The first time I witnessed the end-result, and smelt its fullness, I marvelled at the transformation of the whole sanctuary.  It really was a celebration of God's creation.

The Evangelism Group challenged us at a Church Meeting (yes, the 'government meeting'!) about making the Saturday before the Sunday services an OPEN DAY with the front doors flung wide open to passers-by.  Harvest hymns (the old favourites) would sound out onto the street with invitations to enter for free tea and coffee. There was understandable nervousness.  How many people would actually come in? How easy would it be to share in conversations?  Among the first visitors was an elderly couple who had lived in Cambridge all their lives and said they didn't even realize there was a church on the main street.  No, they didn't normally go to church but they would try to get back for the next day!  To our joy tens of people began entering, looking at the display, drinking and talking with us.

How many eventually came in?  Somewhere between 250-300 were served coffee and members of the evangelism group (and others) reported some good conversations.  Wonderfully, it seemed to give a green light to developing a role on the main street.  Prayers were being answered and we were thankful.