A PORTSMOUTH congregation is launching a series of services designed for those who don’t normally go to church.

Worshippers at St Jude’s Church, Kent Road, Southsea, will be encouraged to bring friends to one of two types of service this Sunday (February 6), and again on four other occasions throughout the year.

In the morning, there’s an evangelistic all-age event designed for families. It’s called ‘Funday Sunday’ and includes breakfast and activity zones for children and young people. They’ll get the chance to play table football, Wii games or have their nails painted before a lively, 45-minute presentation designed to sweep away misconceptions about Christianity.

In the afternoon, the church is holding a quieter, more traditional service entitled ‘Come and See...’ for those who want to invite friends to something more familiar. This is followed by tea and cakes.

These outreach services will also happen on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Harvest and Advent Sunday in 2011.

The vicar, the Rev Mike Duff, said: “Part of our Christian life involves sharing our faith with others, so it makes sense to devote a number of Sundays each year to do just that. Each of these services will be designed to appeal to those who don’t go to church.

“Many people do feel awkward about stepping over the threshold of a church, so we want to make them feel as welcome as possible. Giving them coffee and croissants – or tea and cakes – is one way of doing that.

“But we’ll also emphasise that no one has to sing or join in action songs, and that people can simply sit at the back and watch if that’s what they’d prefer.

“We’re not doing this because we desperately need new members – we already have 300 people here every Sunday. We’re doing it because we believe we have exciting news to share about how God can change people’s lives.

“There is clearly interest in St Jude’s among local people too. After we opened our new entrance at the top of Palmerston Road last June, more than 1,000 passers-by popped in during the first six weeks to see the building improvements.”

The Funday Sunday service on February 6 starts at 10.30am, with coffee, bacon sandwiches, croissants and the chance to catch up on the Sunday newspapers. Children and teenagers can choose activities spread out in different zones around the church. They include table football, painting nails, playing Wii games or art and craft activities for younger children.

Then at 11am, there’s a 45-minute act of worship that includes lively songs, comedy sketches, activities to join in and family prayers.

At 4pm, there’s a more traditional act of worship. Choral Eucharist will include hymns led by a robed choir and music played on the organ. This will be followed by tea, cakes and the chance to chat.