sonia and clare are researching the involvement of women in the emerging church/alt worship in the uk. this is the e-mail they sent me. get in touch if you can help…

All over the UK, new expressions of church and community are being explored and exciting new forms of worship and mission are developing. A great deal has been written about this phenomenon, mostly by men.

Seven years ago, we were part of the group which founded Sanctuary, an alternative worship community which meets in Bath. Sonia works for the Children’ s Society as an early years specialist and Clare is a freelance writer and designer. Together, we are conducting some research into the role of women in the emerging church/alternative worship movement*, and we are seeking to interview a wide cross section of women as part of this study.

Respondents need to meet the following criteria:

1. Female (!)

2. Currently or recently involved with, or attending, an emerging church/alternative worship group

3. Able to regularly access email

Initial research will take the form of several short questionnaires which will be sent and can be returned via email.

We would be grateful if you would forward this email to anyone in your group or network who meets the above criteria to offer them the opportunity to participate. We are interested in the experiences and opinions of all women in this sphere – not just those who have ‘official’ roles.

If you are interested in participating please reply to this email by 10th October, giving us:

1. your name

2. the name of the group with which you are affiliated

3. the email address you would like us to use to contact you.

Those who register interest at this stage will receive further details of the research schedule before being asked to confirm their involvement.

Thank you for taking the time to read this email.

Sonia Mainstone-Cotton and Clare Birch