Diocese of Chichester

All Saints Church, Crowborough welcomed around 200 regular church goers in a local field in 60 cars to its first ever drive-in church service on Sunday 5 July. It was declared “a complete success.”

The hour-long service took place in a field owned by and adjacent to Holy Trinity Church, High Hurstwood.

It was led by Holy Trinity Vicar Revd Mark Ashworth and the Vicar of All Saints, Crowborough, Revd Steve Rees.

Steve explained: “It was a complete success. The current pandemic has seen us discovering more and more new ways to share God’s word, support each other and worship as God’s people. The church family from All Saints, Crowborough met for a (socially-distanced) drive-in service.

Surrounded by gorgeous green Sussex countryside, and with the sun shining down, over 60 families played remote games, worshipped, prayed and listened to God’s word.

“We had great tech support from two of our wonderful teenagers and a team of stewards. Lots of high viz vests were on display!.”

Churchwarden Nigel Grimwade said: “What a great joy it was to meet together as a church in this way for the first time since the lockdown. The sun was shining and the surrounding countryside was stunning. Despite social distancing, we were able to safely sing in our cars and pray together, sound our car horns, wipers and lights!

“We were able to hear the word of God preached, play games and have fun in a beautiful rural setting. A taste of heaven! I was reminded of the words of Jesus - "I will build my church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

“The service finished with a rousing chorus of the hymn ‘In Christ Alone’ echoing around the valley – lifting our spirits as we praised God outdoors.”

The Street family attended the service with two of their children: Mel Street said: “It was so special to be able to meet up again as a church family - to pray together, worship together and share in something unique to this time.

“Steve reminded us of the glorious hope we have in Jesus - and all this amongst the baackground of green fields and blue skies. God is good!”

Rob Dillingham, Deputy Director of Apostolic Life and a member of All Saints church, said: “Over the Covid crisis many churches have done wonderful work connecting with their congregations virtually. Now we are allowed to meet, socially distanced, it is time to think creatively about how we do that safely as the household of faith.

“The drive in church was a great opportunity to meet together, safely and re-connect with each other and worship God together. I do hope this acts as a catalyst for other creative forms of church to bubble up from within the diocese.”

As many churches prepared to open for public worship last weekend it will take some time to resume normal service because of the restrictions in numbers.

On an average Sunday, All Saints would normally welcome up to 400 people to church and the outside service attracted at least 200.

The church has been offering online worship throughout Covid and also featured as the diocesan Sunday service livestreamed across the diocese on 3rd May