As curate of Christ Church I have a lot of my meetings in Café Vista. Great views as far reaching as Blackpool, being served by a wonderful team of friendly volunteers, sampling delicious food and drinking good coffee sums it up perfectly!

I am sure eight years ago no one would envisaged just how successful the Café would be, it really is the best place to be in Aughton. This week alone we have shared Sunday breakfast with families from our uniformed organisations, welcomed our new reception parents for a coffee afternoon and the staff team from St Gabriel’s Church Huyton for an away day.

There is something special about spending time chatting over lunch or simply having a cup of coffee. I find conversations seem to flow more easily around a table and even allow people to share difficulties or troubles more freely. Meals are a powerful expression of hospitality and welcome. This week I received a lovely e-mail from a lady who said,“ what a wonderful and welcoming environment you have all created at the Ministry Centre, it is such a welcoming and friendly place. I had never been before and I felt at home straight away”.

In the Gospels we read of many occasions when Jesus had a meal with people. For Jesus the sharing of meals was intended to go beyond family and friends, it was, the beginning of community.

And so this Tuesday as we celebrate eight years of Café Vista we thank God for the wonderful community of volunteers who willingly serve and for our customers who we consider to be part of the extended Christ Church family.

As a church our key value is to share Jesus with everyone beginning in our community and one of the best ways to do this is by making ourselves available to listen to understand and to offer hospitality to everyone. If you have never visited Café Vista why not come along this week and experience the warm hospitality and delightful food. Take time to have a conversation and to know that there are people who care.