Sophie [Visions, York UK] pops in for a taste of the real thing
[09.03]

Hi, welcome to our virtual coffee shop. Pull up a chair, take the load of your feet. Let's chat.

So who are you, where you from, what do you do in life?
I'm sophie, i live in York but am from Manchester and i guess i'm still a student

Can I get you a drink? Cappucino, earl grey, dandelion and burdock, pale ale?
Erm, a coke would be cool, if you don't mind...

Would you like a doughnut or pastry to go with that?
Depends if your having one, i don't want to be the only one eating.

So, if you had to describe the church/project/experiment/thingy you are currently involved with in one sentence, what would that sentence be?
just one sentence? Erm... More than a church,a visual, vibrant, thought provoking, accepting, comunity.

Are you an instigator? / new recruit? / have absolutely no recollection of how you got involved?
I'm a new recruit (well, about 8 months old) who got handed a peice of paper with a bible reading on it and asked to read it (it was mark 16 24-27 just in case anyones interested)

What do you value most about being part of it?
the encouragement and community

What excites you most about it?
apart from being able to set up videos and carry TVs, probably the community, i'm still not very used to church as a community.

Has anyone ever turned up out of the blue not knowing what to expect?
What did they say?
Most of the comments i've had say it's "interesting", i assume thats meant in a good way!

Three words that describe your attitude to 'being church' in the big wide world: Grace, Acceptance and Community (it's kinda hard to have the last one without the first two)

Three words that DON'T:
church, Doctrine(getting tied down by it) and exclusive

You have this weird dream - you meet Jesus face to face.
Where does it happen, what does he say to you?
How do you know my dreams? Thats scary! It's in a dark place, and i'm lost. I can't see much at all i just know that Jesus is there. He calls my name, i look at him and run away. Still lost i guess.

What's the big secret you're itching to share with everyone?
I can't tell you that, but i'm attempting to write stuff for something!

What would your 'emerging church survival kit' contain?
Someone who knows what they are doing? erm, creativity, mess and candles. You can never go wrong with candles (unless you burn the church down, but you know what i mean i hope!)

Anything else you'd like to share with us before you have to rush off?
I'm going to greenbelt for the first time this year!!!!! Oh, did you mean emerging church wise? Not really, just risk it i guess...

Thanks. Good to see you. Have a good day!