The church mouse begins to prosper

From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Monday 29th Nov 2004.

Churches in the district are taking a leap into the 21st century and looking for hi-tech ways to get the pulpit message across.

Representatives from churches across the district last week took part in a diocesan training session on the latest developments in the world of IT.

Parishes are embracing PowerPoint presentations, digital projections and e-mail news bulletins to spread the gospel.

Alison Bogle of the Bradford Anglican diocese said the regular IT training sessions were always well-attended: "Technology has been welcomed by parishes all over Bradford."

The Reverend Paul Ayres of Pudsey Parish Church has plans to introduce digital projectors and video systems to his church soon. He said: "Technology is a big help to us in the church as it greatly improves our communication with parishioners.

"As the old saying goes `I hear and I forget, I see and I remember'."

More and more parishes from Bradford are using computer displays in their worship. While the diocese has no central fund for technology, equipment often comes from the churches' own budget and parishoners have contributed their own computers and hardware.

Reverend Liz Cannon and husband David Manley of St James Church, Keighley, came up with an innovative solution to the lack of an organ player.

David said: "For virtually zero outlay we have a really good system comprising a programme I have written, an old computer, an amplifier and speakers from a jumble sale." The church also uses a large display screen which it hooks up to a laptop computer.

Rev Cannon said: "During this year's Mother's Day service the congregation used our screen to display pictures of their mothers along with tributes they made to them.

"My son was in Thailand at the time and all of a sudden his picture appeared on the screen along with an e-mail he'd written. It was incredibly moving.

"The world is getting smaller and it's wonderful that we can use this technology to add so much to our services."

St Mary's Church, Laisterdyke, also has a power-point screen. The words to hymns are displayed for the congregation.

The Rev Paul Deo said the use of images really adds to the service. He said: "We never use the same images twice. We try not to use technology as a gimmick but as something people can take notice of. It can add a great deal of impact to what we are saying during services."

Rev Deo added: "It also gets rid of the need for hymn books and prayer sheets which, in the long run, will save the church money."

Geoff Percival, who handles computer operations at St Andrew's Church, in Oakenshaw, says that people should not be surprised by the church's embrace of modern technology.

"The church has been a leader in using technology. If you type in `church' to a search engine you will come up with more than 87 million hits. Every Anglican parish in Bradford has a link to a website.

"The church is a huge part of many peoples lives and although many lay people may think of church services as being old fashioned, the reality is quite different."

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