FRANCIS WOOD; CHURCH MATTERS.

Now for the good news DO YOU ever get the feeling that the church is on the slide? That it's not a lot of use today and about to break up? The Archbishop of Canterbury says we need to regain our confidence. I thought I'd better start looking round to see if I could find something positive to show that the church is alive and well. Seven seemed a good number to aim for, so here's my selection. AVAILABILITY. Across the country, the church is always there when needed. At times of national, local or personal grief, we can all turn to the church. From the death of Princess Diana to times of family mourning, and times of celebration too, the church is always available. WELCOME. The one great need today is that people should feel accepted and made welcome. Nobody should feel left out or marginalised by society. Churches make great efforts to help people feel part of a loving family.

COMMUNITY BUILDING. In country villages, when the bank has gone, the shop and the pub have closed and the bus no longer serves, the church is vital. One rural churchwarden told me, "If the church were not here, nothing would happen in our village". MUSIC AND THE ARTS. Countless musicians today took their first steps on the musical ladder in a church choir. By promoting festivals of the arts, (even pantomimes!) the church can offer a foundation on which future artists can build.

FOCUS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE. Many groups and societies working for social change began in the church. These include the Children's Society, Christian Aid, Cafod and the Samaritans. The Newcastle branch of Samaritans began on the initiative of the Vicar of St Andrew's, Rev Alex Motion.

A VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS. Governments and many agencies regularly consult the church over policies which affect the community. This means the weakest voice can still be heard at the highest level. PURPOSE FOR LIVING. In today's society, people can drift along with little focus for living. It may not be their fault - maybe they never had a chance. For them, the church can offer a meaning to life. The regular prayers and worship of the church give constant support to all this work. Do let me know if you spot any encouraging signs yourself! Confidence may have declined, but it is sure to recover as God reveals his purpose in good time.

Comforting? CHURCHES are being advised to administer Holy Communion in just one kind while the swine flu emergency continues. For the time being in many churches we do not communicate using the common chalice. This prompted a reader to write to me this week. She said: "I miss the wine at Communion now, but we still get a cup of coffee after the service".

Diary dates MONDAY: St Paul's Seaton Sluice, Bottleworks exhibition, Monday 11am-4pm. St Bartholomew's Newbiggin, flower festival, 11am-4pm. NEXT SATURDAY: Park Methodist Church, Jarrow, coffee morning, 10am.

St George's Cullercoats, family fun day with bouncy castle and Harley Davidson motorbike, 1-4.30pm. St Ann's Battlefield, Newcastle, autumn fair, 2-4pm.

Please send items for CHURCH MATTERS to Francis Wood, 52 Albemarle Avenue, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 3NQ, or telephone (0191) 284 5338.

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