Courtenay's St. George's United Church has taken on a unique way of finding new members.
With Sunday church attendance not what it used to be, many churches have been trying to find new ways to grow. For St. George's, it's a program called "The Way."
The program is geared to people who are either new to Christianity, or who want to return to the church after an absence. The weekly program involves participants meeting for a meal that is provided for them. After the meal, they break into groups to discuss that week's service.
Space and time is especially made for questions and open-ended conversation. The sessions run from September until just after Easter.
So far it has been a success, with over 20 participants taking part over the past two years.
鈥淚t really has made a huge difference for us,鈥� says the Rev. Ryan Slifka, Minister of St. George鈥檚. 鈥淭he church has grown in size as folks have grown in spirit.鈥�
St. George鈥檚 is well-known in the community for hosting the Sonshine Lunch Club, a coalition of half a dozen local churches who serve hot meals to the Comox Valley鈥檚 most vulnerable five days per week out of St. George鈥檚 Fellowship Hall.
But the program touches a different aspect of the spiritual life.
鈥淲e do a lot of good,鈥� Slifka says. 鈥淏ut there鈥檚 also a reason why we do what we do, and the Way provides a space for others to engage with the best our faith tradition has to offer, and to discover the grace that motivates us and gives us hope for the future. We found this was lacking before.鈥�
The program is based on an ancient model called the 鈥淐atechumenate,鈥� after the ancient Greek word for 鈥渙ne needing instruction.鈥�
However, the process is a bit more modern than that used by the Roman Empire.
鈥淥ur process isn鈥檛 exactly the same,鈥� Slifka says. 鈥淭he bones are there, but it鈥檚 built to be more accessible in our modern culture. What I think is most appealing is how open-ended the thing is ... the atmosphere is non-judgmental, and they can decide it鈥檚 not for them. Not only that, but there鈥檚 food, there鈥檚 childcare, there鈥檚 what so many of us are craving: friendship and community.鈥�
This year鈥檚 cycle of The Way begins on Sept. 25, and runs on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. It begins with a home-cooked meal provided my members of the congregation. Not only that, but this year it will be running parallel with St. George鈥檚 mid-week children鈥檚 program, making it possible for families to participate in each.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not so much about making people like us,鈥� Slifka says, reflecting on the weariness some people feel about church. 鈥淪omebody once said that church is just a beggar trying to tell another beggar where to find bread, and that鈥檚 how I see The Way. It鈥檚 more like sharing something beautiful that has changed our lives, rather than keeping it to ourselves.鈥�
More information can be found at the St. George鈥檚 website . Those interested in participating are invited to contact the Rev. Ryan Slifka at minister@stgeorgesunited.com.
