The Church, the Far Right, and the Claim to Christianity
September 2, 2024
A Reflection on Greenbelt
September 11, 2024
Just two weeks ago, Modern Church headed to Greenbelt Festival in Kettering where we shared an exhibition stand with our good friends at Inclusive Church. Over the course of the long weekend (and several season’s worth of weather!!), we were able to have a variety of conversations about Modern Church, give away some prayer cards and copies of this Autumn’s Signs of the Times, and engage with people on the topic of our “Dream Church”.
We asked people to consider what their hopes and dreams for the Church are – what their vision of their ‘dream’ church is… and the results were thought-provoking, moving and at times wonderfully unexpected (underwater zoo, anyone?) – here are some of the responses:
My hopes & dreams for the Church are… Inclusion without eligibility criteria. Acceptance of doubt as part of faith.
I’m dreaming the Church will… be a place where everyone is welcome + where everyone knows God loves ALL
My dream Church is… Fully devoted to and fully in partnership with God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit
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- a place where ALL are welcomed, included and their gifts cherished
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- Non-discriminatory, Wheelchair-friendly, Inclusive to all
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- dogs and lots of animals and also peace and love, so it will be like a zoo!
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- an ocean covered church with sea-creatures that says ‘SAVE THE PLANET!’
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- Peggy’s dream church
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- I want a rainbow in the church
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- Bea’s dream church
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- Naomi’s dream church
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- Peace, happiness and friendship
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- be like our church
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- God’s love could be central
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- a cozy reading relaxation corner and an eco-church garden
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- a big picture of animals to represent the church
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- where everyone can be their own person and everyone welcome
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- makes changes lovingly and willingly
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- people being made Whole in Christ
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- a safe space for all people
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- for all to be accepted in worship and fellowship
I’m dreaming the Church will… Respect everyone’s identities AND their preferred liturgical worship style
My hopes & dreams for the Church are… for every Church to be a Church of Sanctuary
My hopes & dreams for the Church are… radically inclusive. Outspoken against injustice. Disorganising + reorganising.
All in all, despite the somewhat biblical weather, we had a great weekend sharing Modern Church with new people as well as catching up with old friends! Same again next year?
