PAWS stands for 'Parallel Alternative Worship'. This is QMCs alternative worship service. It sprang from a recognition that there was a real need to explore new ways of worship away from the confines of the normal morning service.
Accordingly, now, on the third Sunday of each month (except August) an alternative worship experience takes place. Since the first PAWS in September 2003 these services have taken many forms. There have been multi-media presentations, explorations of symbolism, recorded music, video presentations, Iona and Taize based services, noise, quiet, candles, graffiti walls, Trivial Pursuit, Lord of the Rings, art based services and prayer, talk and activity.
The uniting theme is involvement. Involvement of all people present, of all ages, in the worship.
A great aid in achieving this is the group that plans and prepares the PAWS sessions. This is a varied group which spans from teenage to, well, let us say over retirement age, and from local preachers to those who simply wish to become involved and contribute. New skills have been discovered, and existing skills used in new ways and offered in worship - computer and graphic design skills for example.
On a PAWS Sunday, some join the normal congregation in the main church building for the first part of the service to emphasise our unity. Then, whilst the normal service continues, those taking part in PAWS leave after the second hymn (at the same time as our Junior Church, some of whom - and sometimes all - will be joining PAWS). Others taking part in PAWS prefer to wait in the alternative venue - another room in the church building - simply preparing for the PAWS worship, which they find more helpful. Certainly attendance at PAWS does not require any attendance at a traditional service.
PAWS is becoming an important part of our community and our worship. It draws together new experiences for all ages. It enables those who find the traditional services unhelpful but wish to discover or explore the eternal questions to do so. It refreshes many who are also regular attenders of traditional services. If you wish to join us please do so. The diary lists the relevant dates. We look forward to seeing you then.
