Why not try one or more of these ideas throughout the summer months?
- Summer Songs of Praise
Ask people to choose their favourite songs or invite a music group to support worship. More guidance here.
- Musical Chairs
Why not change the layout of the worship hall during the summer months? If you usually meet in rows, arrange the chairs in a semi-circle format. Or place chairs around tables with drinks and snacks.
- Outside Worship
Take the meeting to the streets! Or at least outside if your corps has a patio, car park or garden. If not, meet in a local park. Pray, praise and witness to the community through being together outside. Curious locals might just stop to join in.
- Corps Olympics
Engage in a corps Olympics or partner up with another local corps too. This can include sports day style competitions, bowling, bowls etc. Remember the prizes for the winners!
- Ice Cream Party
This is great for all ages and a way to involve the local community. Set the tone of the party with decorations and of course, don’t forget the cones or bowls and spoons, sprinkles, sauces and of course, lots of ice cream!
- Scattered Church
Throughout the summer, Sunday morning might look like a group of people:
- Walking their dog
- Meeting in the local coffee shop
- Gardening or litter picking
- Taking a country or beach stroll
- And so much more…
To guide conversation, you may want to use the Bible verse and questions from the Salvationist magazine Bible study of that week or any of the Sport and Wellbeing resources.
- Crafts and Colouring
Choose a different craft or colouring activity each week. Adults can join in too with content from Drawing Closer
- BBQ Time
Get out into the sunshine and enjoy a barbeque together after the service (don’t forget the meat free options!).
- Bring and Share
Ask people to bring one item they can’t do without when they go on holiday and share why it’s important to them. Take the opportunity to also ask people some deeper questions about faith.
- Summer Scavenger Hunt
Print out a list of summer items (hat, spade, flowers etc) that have previously been hidden around the hall or wider building. Ask people to find them (in pairs or small groups) and write down their location as they go. Give people a time limit to make it more difficult.
