Do you sometimes feel inadequate about your faith, or lack confidence when it comes to Holy Communion? Maybe the liturgy, and the Church of England's habit of printing more than you need, makes following the service difficult - though perseverance may be the best way to crack it! We are offering an easy and relaxed course, Basic Christian Belief, in private houses around the parishes - and with a good meal included - to help you feel more at home with what you believe, and why and how you might express that faith. It is designed to encourage you to use your faith and enjoy it more. It also links in with the theme of the Parish Day to encourage us to reach out and go forward together. "Seeds of Hope: our benefice and its future". Hugh Buckingham has kindly agreed to lend his experience and expertise, and lead us through the Parish Day at East Rounton on 21st October.

The point of encouraging and enabling you to handle better and be more confident with your faith is that ultimately we are fellow workers with Christ in building up the Kingdom of God here on earth (Lord's Prayer stuff!). So we are the ongoing harvest of believers to make Heaven a reality both in this world and the next. The course also hopes that our Baptism will not have been in vain but is something to build on. Indeed, some may feel that as godparents you might like to explore Christianity more - so as to take your responsibilities more seriously and encourage your godchildren with an informed dialogue and a considered example.

No homework will be set, though curiosity may encourage you to deeper exploration. We are not aiming to make you feel guilty - and expose your ignorance or lack of grasp of spiritual matters - but rather to build a bridge from "where you are" to "where you would like to be" with your faith as a positive help in your everyday life. It will be even better if you feel more able to encourage others and help them discover how to find and express their faith - though we will not send you out doorstepping! However, maybe you will be better able to cope with doorsteppers in return - or merely just to be able to better understand the liturgical year. It's all for you and up to you - do join us and enjoy your pilgrimage with others.

Going to Church should not be boring and, as much as one might blame the Vicar, a little self-help is possible and preferable. If there was to be more interlinking within the parishes it would be possible to have, say, one Holy Communion service at 9 a.m. and so free the 11 a.m. service to be more informal and family/children-orientated. If the service you want is at a time that suits but not in your local parish church, then please travel to the service that suits you best. There is always Evensong as well along more classic lines which needs no tinkering as it speaks for itself. T.H.