A total of 99 churches in our diocese are taking part in Back to Church Sunday, which encourages churchgoers to invite one friend to join them at church for worship on September 27.

It’s the second year our diocese has taken part in the project, which involves parishes using prayer cards, invitation cards, posters, balloons and t-shirts – each of which ties into nationally-branded publicity. Last year, 37,000 people came back to church in the UK and abroad. 

This year’s theme is ‘Come As You Are’, which suggests that non-churchgoers don’t need to be spiritually perfect or dressed in their Sunday best to join us.

The Rev Tim Jessiman, vicar of Hart Plain Church, is co-ordinating the project across our diocese this year.

“I’ve been very encouraged that so many parishes have wanted to take part,” he said. “The 99 churches include those that are large and small, urban and rural, and with all sorts of styles of worship. It’s such a simple idea – for each worshipper to ask at least one friend to come with them – that all kinds of church can take part.”

Last year, a Back to Church Sunday pilot scheme,  saw between 15 and 40 extra people join each congregation.

For a full list of parishes taking part in our diocese, click here. For more information about Back to Church Sunday, see www.backtochurch.co.uk