Breathing Space ..
Late 2005 saw the Belfast launch of a church initiative, for Christians in their twenties, called "The Living Room".
The Living Room is described as a "breathing space for an emerging generation" and "an informal gathering place for Christians who are looking for space to grow in their faith".
Organised by Down and Dromore Diocese and supported by CMS Ireland, The Living Room is an attempt to engage with some of the big questions that arise when faith and culture meet, providing a forum for dialogue, teaching, worship and exploration.
Speaking about The Living Room Colin Corbridge, CMS Ireland's Partnership Co-ordinator, said, "CMS Ireland are very excited to be part of this - people always think of our 'mission' being primarily to the church in the developing world but this is something very much focused here in Ireland. This is a chance to help meet the needs of a generation as they celebrate and struggle with the issues of living as a disciple of Jesus today."
Andrew Brannigan, Down and Dromore’s Youth Officer, commented, “its been great to see a core group building up over the past few months and its becoming increasingly obvious that this is something that is really needed. Because we meet on Friday nights people have to make an active choice to be part of this and those who have been coming along seem committed to the whole idea”.
With contemporary worship and interactive teaching, The Living Room meetings hope to inspire and challenge those who are part of the group to live lives with profoundly missional agendas - just where they find themselves. In the upcoming term the group will be looking at spiritual disciplines and how they can help our relationship with God.
Bishop Harold was a recent visitor and said, “This is really impressive and will, I believe, go from strength to strength. It’s not often you get the chance to work through issues in depth and The Living Room provides that in a way that is invaluable for people in their 20’s, who are often deeply committed to being disciples of Christ”.
The Living Room begins meeting again this week after a Christmas break and dates for the upcoming term are:
Friday 13th January
Friday 27th January
Friday 10th February
Friday 24th February
Friday 10th March
Friday 24th March
Friday 7th April
The Living Room website has been recently launched and it will endeavour to build an online community that supplements the real world meetings. To visit the site and learn more about The Living Room – including dates for 2006 click here.