Text service for Pendle worshippers (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Text service for Pendle worshippers

8:30pm Monday 18th April 2011 in Fence By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

CHURCHGOERS in Pendle will not get disapproving glances if they receive a text during the Easter Sunday sermon.

Mobile phones calls and messages, especially during services, are usually the bane of every minister’s life.

But for the Rev Gareth Higgs, of Wheatley Lane Methodist Church, in Fence, it will be music to his ears.

Because members of the congregation have signed up for a very 21st Century interpretation of Holy Week and the important milestones in the final hours, death and resurrection of Jesus.

The faithful will receive text messages of Easter events as they would have happened around 2,000 years ago. The service began today.

The messages are being distributed through a scheme called the Passion Experience, which promises a fresh look on the Easter story.

Worshippers in Fence have been given the option of receiving the snippets via e-mail, mobile phone or Twitter account.

Each message has been devised by a Southend-based mission, Church from Scratch, and Premier Christian Media.

The last communications will be delivered on Easter Sunday.

Rev Higgs said: “The idea came through Facebook. We use Facebook to communicate between members of the church.

“One of the people came across this contact idea and posted it on our Facebook page and it’s taken off from there.

“We have a mixed age congregation, so a number of people have excluded themselves because they are not fully confident using new technology, but it has taken off well.”

Other worshippers in East Lancashire can find out more about the initiative and sign up online at www.thepassionexperience.org.uk.

The Fence church is taking part in a number of other Easter activities including an outdoor witness event on Saturday, April 23, at Burnley’s bandstand.