‘The numbers of those attending exceeded my expectations’ said the Revd Glen Graham, minister of Salisbury Road Baptist Church in Plymouth.
Over 100 people attended the church’s community fun day and barn dance on Saturday afternoon that included a fancy dress competition, quizzes, circus tricks and a visit from the local fire brigade’s community bus.

‘It was heartening to see so many people coming who do not normally attend our church. 

New friendships were made and partnerships with the police, council and fire brigade enhanced,’ said Mr Graham.
Around 160 local residents attended a street party at the Memorial Community Church in Plaistow, East London on Sunday.

Organised jointly with a local charity, Alternatives, and Rowntree Clifford Close sheltered housing club for the over 50s.
The event had to be moved from its original outdoor venue to the church due to the wet weather but ‘the rain did not stop us from having a brilliant party’ said one of the organisers, Julia Acott.

On Monday Frinton Free Church in Essex had over 3,000 at their street party.

Five hours of activities included jousting, stocks, bouncy castles, a ‘great jubilee cupcake giveaway’, live bands and a children's th

eatre group.

There was also an opportunity for people to receive prayer at a prayer tent, and 1000 souvenir jubilee booklets containing the Queen’s 2011 Christmas Day address were handed out. 

‘The occasion was a huge benefit to our community and continues our simple vision of turning the church inside out to bring the outside in,’ said the Revd Jon Hills, Frinton’s pastor for mission and evangelism.

Also on Monday Amesbury Baptist Church in Wiltshire who hosted a hog roast barbecue with Slimming World attracted 150 people, 100 of which do not normally attend the church.

Many new contacts were made with our profile certainly being raised in the community and it is our hope to put something else on later in the summer,’ said minister, the Revd Barry Davis.

Poynton Baptist Church in Cheshire has been holding an art exhibition this week to mark the Jubilee.

The exhibition, which finishes on Saturday, features budding and professional artists and attracted over 170 visitors over the weekend. 

‘Most people that came have never been into the church before, so it was especially good to welcome them and get to know more people in our village,’ said associate minister, Ruth Moriarty.

‘It has given us many opportunities to be good news to our community.

We couldn't have imagined what a success this event would be, we are already talking about the next one!’