Pippa Cramer launched Connections in 2011 after spending months praying, asking God for guidance and building a wonderful team of helpers to ensure a warm and loving welcome for each visitor.
Through that time of preparation, the three key values that lie at the heart of Connections were formed and they continue to shape every gathering and interaction. They are:
Each gathering sees the church transformed into a café style venue with many different options for guests to enjoy. These activities vary from week to week but can include special interest tables on all sorts of different hobbies and interests including mini hand massages, chair exercises, craft activities, carpet bowls and table tennis. Each session includes a short ‘Thought for the Day’, a light touch and sometimes humorous way of bringing God into things in a very non-threatening way. The activities are, in a way, almost incidental, as many of our guests just love to sit, chat and be listened to.
One of the best things about Connections is how replicable and scalable it is, working in all sorts of different settings and group sizes. We have created a training series to help anyone who has a heart for older people and would like to learn more about running a Connections-style gathering in their own setting.
Through a collection of short and practical videos we explore the vision behind this ministry, how gatherings work, ways to build welcoming communities, and how simple acts of hospitality and friendship can help tackle loneliness whilst gently sharing the hope and love of Jesus.
“Connections is extraordinary – it’s extraordinary for its pastoral reach into the community, extraordinary for its evangelistic impact amongst seniors and extraordinary for its simplicity… I commend Connections to you; it is a model which I hope and pray will be replicated in many parishes across the country.”
“I wish that other churches could hold Connections-style gatherings as you cannot underestimate the difference that kindness and care can make to someone like me”
