C2

By WILFRED LANGMAID
For The Daily Gleaner

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No matter how one tries to spin it, the reality is that attendance has been shrinking in mainline churches for the last couple of generations.

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MCKENNA

To try to bring people back home, many Anglican churches in the Archdeaconry of Fredericton will be hosting Back to Church Sunday on Oct. 19.

This event has been in the works for the past year, and is the brainchild of a committee of three local Anglican rectors: Rev. Bruce McKenna of the Parish of New Maryland; Rev. Ian Wetmore of the Parish of St. Mary's (York) in Devon; and Rev. Canon John Cathcart of the Parish of Marysville.

It is designed as an opportunity for a member of one of the involved Anglican parishes to invite a family member, friend, or colleague who is not attending any church to join them at Sunday worship. They sit with the people they have invited, help them follow the liturgy if needed, and stay with them at the fellowship time after the service while they meet other members of the faith community.

MeKenna explained, "Soon a friend, colleague or family member may ask you to come to the church they love. At the same time you will receive a personal invitation card from the church."

The vestry of each parish co-ordinates the activities for Back to Church Sunday to ensure that guests feel welcome and are involved in the worship and fellowship of the parish, according to McKenna.

McKenna was delighted with the results when he held a Back to Church Sunday last year. He said, "Last year I had the joy of welcoming guests to Holy Trinity Anglican Church during Back to Church Sunday. I had the joy of meeting people who said 'Yes' to their personal invitation. I also had the pleasure of welcoming those who having experienced the joy of worship, the richness of community and the love of God chose to join our community of faith. I look forward with anticipation to welcoming people this year."