spirit of place
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Spirit of PlaceTRANSCRIPT
Churches to experience & explore...www.derbyshirechurches.org.uk
Spirit of PlaceTourism Toolkit: Encouraging visitors to your church
Contents Introduction 3 Why People Visit 4 Practical aspects of welcome 5
Literature and websites 6
Appendix 1 8Be a visitor in your own church checklist
Appendix 2 - Useful contacts 9
Appendix 3 10Diocese of Derby signage kit
Appendix 4 - Case Study 11
Appendix 5 12Insurance advise from Ecclesiastical Insurance
Every church can convey three important messages to those who visit it:
“ The people of this place are glad you are here. This place is for you.”
“This is not just a beautiful old building: it is a sacred space; however you may understand that word sacred”
“This church is alive, loved and used regularly by people who are committed to following the way of Christ”
‘Church Buildings: Encouraging Visitors on a Spiritual Journey’. Rev Eileen McLean former Vicar of Bamburgh
Anyone who visits a church that is not their own local place of worship is technically counted as a ‘tourist’, although the terms ‘visitor’ or ‘pilgrim’ might be more accurate. As church members many of us find ourselves welcoming someone who ‘just popped in for a look round’, or who came as a wedding guest, or as a tourist, or for a funeral, or perhaps for a bit of peace and quiet, to pray or to get out of the rain.... Each visitor needs to be welcomed and invited in (Matthew 25.38), to know they are valued by us and by God.
This ‘Toolkit’ attempts to help to realise more of the potential of our buildings, using practical check lists, top tips for welcoming visitors, and simple, affordable resources. Meanwhile there are a number of churches which offer excellent practice and would welcome you to look round and use their ideas.
Introduction
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Why people visit• Spiritual motivations
Many people are drawn to churches for spiritual reasons, perhaps to pray, to light a candle for a friend or relative, for pilgrimage or simply to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the church.
• Impulse visits
Many people, possibly the majority of church visitors, visit a church they are passing largely on impulse: visiting a church will be part of another activity relating to the village, town or area.
• Family connections
Some people visit churches because of personal or family connections.
• Famous people
Some people visit churches because of a connection with a famous character - real or fictional.
• Architecture
Some people visit churches because of the building or its contents.
And don’t forget...
Visitors from overseas; local schools; walking groups; the list is endless
‘Church Tourism: Providing a Ministry of Welcome to Visitors‘ by Andrew Keeling.
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Be open
If you can’t be open all the time decide a timetable for opening, stick to it and tell people about it.
Be hospitable
The ideal is to offer tea and (home-made) cake or biscuits. If this is not possible think about a bottle of water; somewhere for walk-ers to clean / place their muddy boots; a bowl of water for thirsty dogs.
Be accommodating
Have special clearly signed visitor ‘spots’: a small table with flow-ers, information about your church and community; a visitors book to sign on the way out; a book to write prayers in; a welcome greeting.
Be sensitive
Communicate the ‘Spirit of Place’ with good lighting and spaces for stillness, peace and prayer.
Be clean and tidy
A dust-free, uncluttered, well-presented environment says much about you as stewards of the building.
And finally… be memorable
The greatest compliment is a returning visitor or one who tells their friends about their experience at your church.
(Adapted from Divine-Inspiration – Diocese of Coventry)
Practical aspects of welcome
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Literature…Providing visitors with information about your church and what happens there is an important part of welcome. Making sure your noticeboard is up to date, providing information on important features or providing a trail for children (and adults!) are all good ideas. At the end of the toolkit there are links to resources including a diocesan signage pack. Meanwhile if you want to produce your own written material you could bear in mind the following:
• Know the purpose “On reading this notice / brochure / leaflet visitors will (e.g.) know the main features of the church; have an idea of activities during the week etc.”
• Be inviting using words such as ‘welcome’, ‘come in’, ‘explore’ so that visitors know that they are encouraged to come in and allowed to enjoy the space. • Keep it simple using good images with minimal text, and plenty of ‘white space’.
• State the obvious. Remember that just because you understand something others might not!
• Be interesting ensuring the literature is easy to read and engaging. Quirky stories about people and events are more interesting than a list of the last fifty vicars!
• Short sentences work best, in general, no more than 15 to 20 words long.
• Church language, jargon and technical words should be avoided or kept to a minimum!
• Questions and answers help you to think through what your reader might want to know. • Bullet points help to simplify details and make information easier to digest
• Images / photographs should be high quality, bright and clear. Church is primarily about people, so include pictures of individuals and gatherings (with their permission) in any displays.
• Size A4 trifold fits into standard leaflet holders.
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… and WebsitesThe internet presents a significant opportunity to communicate both with those who live in our parishes and those who visit. Many tourists will consult the internet to research their holiday destination before setting off.
The Diocese of Derby runs a website specifically for visitors to Derbyshire: www.derbyshirechurches.org. It is worth checking to see whether the opening times and locations of your buildings, services and contact details are listed. To update your details please email [email protected].
Meanwhile if you want to set up your own church website, talk to someone from a local church with a website you like or contact the Diocesan Communications Co-ordinator at Derby Church House, Full Street, Derby DE1 3DR; 01332 388680; [email protected] who will be happy to advise you.
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1. Starting at the gate...
• Is the church easy to find? • Are the grounds & graveyard safe or dangerous?• Is it obvious which door gets you into the building and is the signage clear?• Is there a clear, safe route from gate to church door?• Can you read the notice board? Do you understand what it says? • If not, why not? Is there anything that welcomes you?
2. Stepping over the threshold…
• Is the door easy to use at service times? Is there good access for anyone with disabilities?• Lighting: Able to read?• What catches your eye as you look around the immediate ‘ welcome area’?• Are noticeboards easy-to-read? Interesting? Up-to-date?• Is the place tidy or scruffy?• Heating: Comfortable?• Seating: Back-friendly?• Toilets: Well signed?• Sound System: Hearing Loop?
3. Spotting any signs…
• Is there a plan of the church and does it show where things are?• Is it clear what a nave, a chancel, a choir, a pulpit, a lectern and lady-chapel are?• Are areas clearly set aside for prayer, or for a bit of peace and quiet?
4. Searching for help…
• Is there anything to help people quieten and pray?• Are there candles to light and something to light them?• Is there something to write in - Visitors Book or Prayers Book?• Is there anything to help you come close to God?• Are there any resources to take away with you? (Are these affordable or free?) For example: A guide book for the history; a little booklet of prayers or quotes for ‘inspiration’
5. Overall (Slip back into PCC membership!)
• Is it a spiritual space? Is it a friendly space?• Do people see an out-of-touch, old-fashioned organisation or a caring people and a cherished building where ‘things of God’ happen?• What can you commend yourselves and the church for?• Where are the shortfalls and how can they be addressed?
Appendix 1 - Be a visitor in your own church(Adapted from “Back to Church Sunday” training pack)
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Appendix 2 - Useful contacts
Need more information or help?
Contact the Diocese of Derby Tourism Team:
Revd Garrie Griffith - Tourism portfolio holder - Tel: 01629 630409 email [email protected] Cole - Church Growth Officer - Tel 01332 388691 email [email protected] Greensmith - Communications Co-ordinator - Tel: 01332 388680 email [email protected] Kat Alldread - Webmaster email [email protected]
Below are a number of tourism / visitor websites with excellent resources and information.
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www.churchguides.co.uk (a useful website to help you write a church guide – or to provide you with a mentor)
www.churchestourismassociation.info (this has detailed information about church tourism: download a toolkit from Carlisle Diocese giving practical ideas, including how to construct a tri-fold leaflet)
www.gloucester.anglican.org/church-outreach/church-tour-ism (this has excellent downloadable resources)
www.rejesus.co.uk (designed for non-church people wanting to explore Christianity)
www.deo-gloria.co.uk (includes a range of outreach material)
www.achurchnearyou.com (a useful website to have on literature – the site does what it says in its name, enabling people to find their local church)
www.cofe.anglican.org (the Church’s national website is always worth exploring)
www.timtiley.com (website for the popular supplier of prayer cards, greeting cards and other material for visitors and church members)
www.lifewords.info (formerly Scripture Gift Mission: supplies a range of materials for giving away including a range of booklets with titles such as ‘Living with Loss’, Meditations of Life’, and Who am I?’)
Appendix 3 - Church Tourism Signage Kit
The following pack is available priced £25 from Derby Church House email: [email protected] or call 01332 388680.
Church open to experience & explore
One of many churches in Derbyshire. Visit www.derbyshirechurches.org
Banner artwork 750 x 250:Layout 1 19/02/2013 15:32 Page 1
1x PVC Banner (150cm x 50cm)
Let people know your church is open with this bold banner designed for outdoor use.
Here is heritagebeautypeaceworship
Discover this magnificent church full of history and faith. You are very welcome.
One of many churches in Derbyshire.Visit www.derbyshirechurches.org
Churches to experience &explore
A3 poster:Layout 1 25/02/2013 20:52 Page 1
The Windows
Notice the artist’s use of light and
colour to show us the characters,
stories and symbols of the Bible
and the lives of the saints.
Churches to experience & exploreVisit www.derbyshirechurches.org
Churches to experience & exploreVisit www.derbyshirechurches.org
A4 church feature cards:Layout 1 08/03/2013 11:22 Page 1
Churches to experience & exploreVisit www.derbyshirechurches.org
A4 church feature cards:Layout 1 25/02/2013 20:55 Page 7
Churches to experience & explore
One of many churches in Derbyshire. Visit www.derbyshirechurches.org
A4 letterhead:Layout 1 19/02/2013 15:34 Page 1
www.derbyshirechurches.org
1A7 number cards:Layout 1 25/02/2013 20:55 Page 1
1x Welcome Poster (A3)A simple message for your noticeboard.
6x Feature cards (A4)Containing a general description of 6 key areas in your church.
5x Blank cards (A4)Every church is different. These sheets are blank to allow you to type your own information.
20x letterhead (A4)Sheets of quality paper to type up your trail or key features. These can be be laminated to protect them or photocopied if needed.
Numbers 1 - 10 (A6)Showcase your churches best features with the numbers and use the letterhead to add a more detailed description. More numbers are available on request.
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Bakewell is a major tourist attraction both for tourists exploring the Peak District National Park and for day trippers from the surrounding cities such as Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham and the like. Hundreds of thousands of people visit Bakewell every year. In their ambles around the town, many see the church up the hill and, perhaps out of curiosity or just to keep dry in wet weather, will feel strong enough to climb that hill. A few will be aware of the Anglo-Saxon roots of the building and want to learn more, some will seek the peace and beauty that a church has to offer and some may even want to know more about the Christian faith.
During the first year of our tourism initiative, our primary aim was simply to encourage more people to climb the hill and cross the threshold of the church. To this end we produced a glossy leaflet with pictures which displayed some of the highlights of the interior and exterior of the building to try to persuade people that it was worth the trek. Initially we distributed this leaflet to hotels and B & B’s in the neighbourhood as well as the Bakewell Information Centre. Later we concluded that the Information Centre was the most fruitful; way of getting publicity. From our experience and talking with visitors it is now clear that use of the web is increasingly important. The setting up of a Diocesan web site for tourism is to be welcomed.
Having encouraged more people to come up to the church, our next step was to improve visitor experience by helping people to understand what they are looking at. Starting in the porch, before entering the building, we produced a welcome panel with some interpretation of the ancient carved stones, dating from the tenth to the twelfth centuries, which surround the visitor. Inside, on the
west wall, we developed a display board which sets out along a time line how the building has changed over the centuries since a Christian presence was established in 949. In view of the importance of the Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian cross shafts in the churchyard, display boards giving some interpretation of the carvings were also set up with valuable help given by the Bakewell Historical Society. Interest in the Anglo-Saxon monument increased after BBC’s ‘Countryfile’ featured an exposed skeleton under the shaft
From observation of the way visitors react on entering the building it become apparent that many were overwhelmed by the space and start to wander about aimlessly. To try to help people gain more from their visit, we produced a second leaflet – ‘A Brief Guide to help you find your way round’. In this leaflet, with the help of a floor plan of the church, numbered thumbnail pictures indicate key features of interest around the building. Next issue – how to get visitors to follow the route!
Over this period a new kitchen has been built which is able to serve light lunches, tea, coffee and cakes. At present the coffee shop is staffed three days a week. It provides the icing on the cake for visitors!
Still to be done – strengthen the Christian message, more information on specific features, improved leaflet displays, better lighting, prominent donations point, a welcome display if no one is present and more besides. Computer design of boards and leaflets provided by Capra Architects.
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Appendix 4 Case Study: Tourism development at All Saints’ Parish Church Bakewell
If at all possible your church should be left open during the day for those who wish to pray, or who wish to find a place for quiet contemplation. It should also be open for tourists and other visitors with an interest in historic buildings who find it very disappointing when a church is locked, particularly if they have travelled some way. The presence of legitimate visitors will also help to deter those with criminal intent.
It is not the policy of Ecclesiastical Insurance to ask for churches to be kept locked during the day. There may be some cases where you have suffered repeated vandalism, theft or arson attacks where this is the only option and occasionally we may only be able to continue to provide cover if the church is kept locked. Hopefully, however, by following these guidelines it should be pos-sible for the church to remain open for the use and enjoyment of all.
Whilst the church should, if possible, be left open during the day it should be locked during the hours of darkness other than for services or unless someone is present.
If you can, try to have someone on duty in the church at all times by having a rota of church sitters, or organise cleaning, grass cutting and other routine activities so that there is someone in the church or churchyard for as much of the time as possible.
Remember, however, that someone left on their own in the church
could be at risk and a means of communications such as a mobile telephone should be available. Ask persons living nearby to keep any eye out for anything suspicious happening around the church. This may best be organised as part of a Churchwatch scheme.
Lock away as many valuable and portable items as you can. All silver items should be kept in a good quality safe. If possible keep brass and pewter items in the safe as well. If there is not room in the safe then lock them away in a secure area such as the vestry.
If you do not have a suitable secure area then try and create one, such as at the bottom of the tower stairs, provided of course that you do not cause any obstructions from a health and safety point of view.
Small valuable ornaments and items of furniture and furnishings should also be put away in a locked vestry, cupboard or safe when not in use. Coffin stools, chests and any item which can be used in a domestic setting are particularly vulnerable.
If items cannot be locked away consider chaining them to the floor or wall, which may not deter a determined thief but may be sufficient to prevent the more casual theft.
If you feel that the church should normally be locked you may wish to consider making the key available to visitors. We would suggest that the key is available from a local shop, post office or garage
Appendix 5 - Ecclesiastical Insurance Fact sheet: Church Security - Locking church-
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which may be protected by closed circuit television.
This information can be displayed on a key card in the porch or on the church notice board but you should not give details of parishioners’ names and addresses where keys can be obtained. You cannot be certain that everyone asking for the keys is of honest intent and publishing names and addresses could put people at risk.
Too help those who wish to look at the church, show times when the church will be open and someone will be present, in the church porch or on the notice board.
For further information call us on 0845 777 3322 or contact your local Insurance Consultant and Surveyor.
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