Categories: uncategorized
Date: 16 June 2006 22:45:51
Today was the celebration party to mark the chapel's 50th anniversary.
As with all church functions involving free food, there were many people there who we've never seen before. However we welcome allcomers to celebrate with us. This is the first of our celebration events. There is a plan for an evening meal/event in November for people who have attended or helped with the chapel over the last 50 years.
We had a puppet show for the kids and a buffet meal for all.
I spent much of the evening outside as it was cooler than the inside of the chapel. However that left me open to playing football with some of the younger children; being repeatedly atttacked by various people with space hoppers and inflatable darts. Some of the persecution also eminated from my loving wife.
One the worst parts of the evening was being attacked by one of the youngest lads who, when not hitting me with a space hopper, was pulling hairs from my legs or arms. Meanwhile his grandfather watched, smiling, and occasionally telling his grandson not to do that. Then grinning as he carried on. By far the worst part was being hit in a rather sensitive area by a space hopper. Try it sometime!
While talking to a former member, no worshipping elsewhere, we talked about church socials and how people are always willing to attend for free food etc. However, when you ask them to a service they are nowhere to be seen.
Their chapel runs frequent Holiday Clubs for the kids. At the end of the week they throw a BBQ for the kids and parents. They spend a fortune on food and, to their surprise, have a full turnout. Many of the parents express a desire for the Club to run an extra week.
So the chapel invite the children and parents to the special Sunday service. The kids will be given their prizes and tea and biccies will be passed out.
Guess what?
Not a single child or adult turns up. Why?
What is it about Christianity that drives people away? Are we all weird, childeating, cultists? Do we hold some sort of naked, animal sacrificing rituals? Or, are we really that boring and threatening to others?