St Mary's Church in Winterborne Stickland is certainly showing a way forward for small rural churches. Far from being left behind, the church members have had the vision for the church to provide a warm and useable space beyond Sunday services - not just for the popular Monday Coffee Pot - but for other small group meetings. The church has lost none of its spiritual dimension with the removal or repositioning of a few of the pews. It remains a very special place of worship but it has a modern kitchen and open spaces for chairs and tables or play space for children.
Alan, our Rector, tested out the latest arrangements by hosting the deanery clergy chapter breakfast meeting in the church this week. This begins by joining together with a communion service and this is followed by a breakfast meeting. So St Mary's proved an excellent venue.
The new kitchen is sited behind the organ and a space has been created by moving some of the pews. There is still room to add chairs for a larger congregation if they are needed. 
The new space at the back of the church will be so useful - and it looked very attractive this morning. Perhaps other small groups in the village will see the church as an attractive place to meet during the week. We will have to wait and see!
I hope there was a well satisfied chapter this morning!
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