TAVISTOCK parish church is this Sunday offering a special welcome to all those who have thought about coming to church, but have never quite made it across the threshold.

The day, called 'Welcome to Church' Sunday, is being observed in many parts of the Church of England nationally.

St Eustachius' Church at 9.45am will be all geared to making guests and visitors feel entirely welcome and comfortable — the service will finish with cake as well as hot and cold drinks, and even 'party bags' will be given to those who have come particularly on that day.

The Rev Michael Brierley, priest-in-charge of Tavistock and Gulworthy, said: 'So many people say to me, coming out of church after a baptism or wedding or some other special service, that they really enjoyed it, and that if church is like that, they really would like to come again — they say it almost with surprise!

'Well, this Sunday is the opportunity for people to put their thought into action, when our welcome and worship will be at its very best.

'Elsewhere in the country, it's being called "Back to Church" Sunday, but in Tavistock we're calling it "Welcome to Church" Sunday in case people haven't ever been to begin with!'

St Paul's Church, Gulworthy, is also observing the special welcome on that Sunday at 11.15am, and St Michael's, on Brent Tor, at 6.30pm. Sue, a parishioner who came back to church last year, said of the event:'Everyone was so welcoming. We were immediately put at ease, and felt quite at home. We were truly welcomed back to church, "just like it said on the tin"!

'If anyone asked me whether they should join in with "Welcome to Church" Sunday this year, I'd have to say that you don't know what you are missing! Do come along and give it a go!'

Mr Brierley said local churches were also offering the 'Alpha Course', a nationally-recognised way of just getting to know more about what Christian faith is all about.

'It begins with dinner, followed by a short talk, and the opportunity either to discuss it at the table, or just sit and listen to others discuss it. It's a wonderful, relaxed way to find out a little bit more, and it's offered without any charge at all, just optional donations for the dinner.

'We're offering two separate Alpha courses, one for adults and one for teenagers. To find out more about the adult one, ring Brian Eales on 617780. To find out more about the teenagers' one, which I gather includes a Wii!, ring Tim Treanor on 610510.'

The Alpha courses are being run jointly by Tavistock and Whitchurch parish churches, and are open to anyone who wishes to come along. The course for adults runs on Monday evenings, beginning on September 27 in the parish centre, while the course for teenagers runs on Tuesday evenings, beginning on September 28.