Bible readings, prayers and pints? - The one time nobody minds the sermon was too long!
Customers at a Cornish pub have been enjoying a prayer with their pints. Over the next four Sunday nights customers at the Seven Stars Inn, in St Austell, Cornwall, can take part in informal worship in the bar. The services are being held by the Rev Patrick Bamber, associate vicar of the town's Holy Trinity Church. The first service, held last week, attracted about 40 people, who nursed their drinks while listening to Bible readings and live music.
The clergyman said it was a way of "reaching out into the community with an informal service in a relaxed atmosphere". He said: "A number of people patronise the Seven Stars, so it seemed an obvious next step. The evening service is relaxed anyway and people like to have music in pubs. The Church is not a building, the Church is the people, so it is easy for us to change venue where some people feel more comfortable." He said if the trial services were successful, they would be continued.
Seven Stars landlady Ameena Williams said: "We have a good relationship with the church and I was delighted when the vicar approached me and suggested he hold a service in the pub."
The clergyman said it was a way of "reaching out into the community with an informal service in a relaxed atmosphere". He said: "A number of people patronise the Seven Stars, so it seemed an obvious next step. The evening service is relaxed anyway and people like to have music in pubs. The Church is not a building, the Church is the people, so it is easy for us to change venue where some people feel more comfortable." He said if the trial services were successful, they would be continued.
Seven Stars landlady Ameena Williams said: "We have a good relationship with the church and I was delighted when the vicar approached me and suggested he hold a service in the pub."
