Data just released from the Church of England’s national statistics team show that monthly church attendance by both adults and young people across the Diocese of Truro is on the increase – during weekdays.

This is a reflection of the increased numbers of services and different forms of worship being introduced – sometimes on a monthly basis – to fit in with busy lives and changing lifestyles, especially amongst young families.

Commenting, diocesan secretary, Canon Lynda Barley, says, “Although other church attendance counts have declined in line with the national picture, we are making a greater impact than the majority of dioceses with our regular church activities involving worship outside Sundays.”

These weekday services are innovative and interactive. So, for instance, at Polruan the ‘KidzKlub’ caters for children between 5 and 11 years of age who then participate in the Messy Church once a month; every last Wednesday of the month sees a ‘Teatime Service’ in Camborne; weekly services for mums with children under 5 years of age take the form of ‘Wriggle Worship’ in the Ludgvan/Marazion/Perranuthnoe group and ‘Little Lambs’ at Par Church of the Good Shepherd. And then, of course, there is the well known ‘Holy Commotion’ every Wednesday at Archbishop Benson School in Truro.

“At our weekly ‘Friday Knights’ in Luxulyan, we explore Bible stories through drama, games and crafts,” says deanery facilitator, Shelley Porter, “leading up to an act of worship consisting of songs and prayers. This is followed by supper.

“We have three young leaders, including one on the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, who are, through participation, learning teaching skills; and these Friday night events involve the parents too – adults who would otherwise not have involvement with the Church.”

There is good news on other fronts too in that the statistics for Diocese of Truro also reflect the national picture of an increasing trend towards church weddings and a growing number of adult baptisms.