In the last post I wrote about a new British (Coptic) Orthodox church mission in Windsor. Though it has only had one worship service, some decisions are evident that show wise planning.
- a once-monthly service on a Monday night, at 6:30 pm. In other words, after work for many.
- a time that surely allows for easier deployment of a priest and borrowing of church space.
- the basic service isn’t the Divine Liturgy (Eucharist, Mass) but one of the daily offices, surely Vespers. Easier to organize in borrowed space, can be led without a priest (presumably) and open to interested non-Copts to participate, so more missiologically welcoming. (Did you know Universalists have a parallel Vespers tradition?)
- Looking at other missions, the daily office — which may not be long — might be supplemented with lessons and refreshments.
- Since it is a taught way of prayer, one can be encouraged to personal (home) prayer with the same order, encouraging interest between public services.
Food for thought.