The Diocese of Derby is still assessing the impact of this year’s Back to Church Sunday initiative, but early signs are positive that more people came back to Church.

Back to Church Sunday was held on the Sunday 28th September and is a national initiative aimed at inviting people who had not been to church for some time to attend and to enjoy the experience.

Clergy and congregations made special plans to welcome visitors.

Amongst the good news stories were 40 newcomers to a church near Chesterfield, 100 people across two services at a church in Derby and 6 first time worshippers to a tiny village church – who were also invited to a harvest supper the following week.

In another church, 71 people were at a baptism service at which the VIP was the infant being baptized !

Although the total count of people who were welcomed back is obviously not known, there are many positive signs across the deaneries and parishes.

The Diocese continues to monitor the situation as it already looks ahead to 2009.

Ends