A coach who has had enough of missing church on Sundays has teamed up with his local vicar to start a new church congregation in the rugby club bar.
Richard Witham, whose day job is the National Sports Mission Leader for the Scripture Union, coaches the under 10s at Stow on the Wold Rugby Football Club.
He said: “I must admit, it is slight selfishness that has led to us setting this up! I love rugby and I love Jesus and this way I can do both of the things that I love on a Sunday.
“It can be hard, when you live in a rural location, to have access to the full range of services that churches offer these days. I hope this new venture is a way of including more people in something Christian on a Sunday.”
He hopes that the girls and boys of Stow’s Minis and Juniors, with their parents, will try this informal 45 minute service in the rugby club bar, Wrighty’s. The service also welcomes anyone who lives in Stow or neighbouring parishes and anyone who might feel more at home in a rugby club bar than in a church.
The Revd Martin Short, the Rector of Stow-on-the-Wold said: “This is a great idea. People have busy lives and it is good for Stow Church to be able to play ‘at home’ and ‘away’.”
The next one will be at 9am on Sunday 25 February in Wrighty’s Bar at Stow-on-the-Wold Rugby Club, followed by monthly gatherings on 18 March and 29 April at the same time and location. All are welcome (rugby kits welcome too). Coffee and pastries will be served.
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