From film stars to nuns – @OurCofE enters second year
The plan for @OurCofE was that it would last a year but 52 participants (including two bishops, four youth workers, one nun and a film star retweet) later, and we’ve just started year two.
The account has produced some interesting stories and conversations, including those that came from one of the most popular participants, Sister Elizabeth Pio, nun at The Society of the Sisters of Bethany in Portsmouth. (Her week can be read in full here) The ups and downs as a nun were revealed with openness and humour leaving people fascinated by how different her day to day life is and what it means to give up so much for her faith.
Elizabeth had this to say about her experiences on the project “@OurCofE reminds us that we're part of a huge, diverse family in the Church of England - we need to know that. From one source we can discover who people are, learn what they do and how they do it - it's been so informative, encouraging and inspiring. From the amazing level of interest shown in our life we received much needed encouragement, inspiration and challenge - why do we do what we do?! Dangerous question! Fun and fellowship also became hallmarks of our week. As is God's way, we gave but we received a whole lot more. A surprisingly rich experience that we would recommend to anyone!“
Hear more from Sister Elizabeth Pio in this week’s podcast, published Thursday 9th April
There have also been some unexpected moments such as @OurCofE being retweeted by Russell Crowe after the film star’s visit to Lambeth Palace. The account has also seen friendships formed not only between the participants who now have a shared experience but between participants and those following the accounts. (Photo – previous @OurCofE participants Jim Craig, Jules Middleton and Amy Powis at 2014 Christian New Media Conference)
Throughout the year, no two weeks have been the same. From the only arts chaplain in the country, to the chair of the Church of England Youth Council, from a prison warden to a cathedral dean, every participant has been themselves and given a completely different take on what it means to be part of The Church of England.
The aim of the account was to see modern faith in action and with each week we’ve seen this through participants taking prayer requests, discussions on being called to ministry as well as hashtags such as #ILoveMyChurch and #toptip4mission. Over the weeks, the account has been witness to a bishop’s installation, a holiday club, two Christian festivals, BBC Christmas day live, The Church of England Youth Council’s 10 year anniversary party and the first week of the Hove beach hut advent calendar alongside many services and the odd wedding.
The account has also gone international with trips to Washington DC, Gibraltar, Belize and South Sudan.
In this second year of the project, we’ll be attempting to match weeks up with particular themes or events – look out for our London Marathon tweeting-running vicar, Christian Aid enthusiast and more. We’re still looking for volunteers so if you have an interesting story to tell do let us know
Tallie Proud, Digital Media Officer, Archbishops’ Council
Those who have blogged in their experiences on the account:
Jules Middleton - http://pickingapplesofgold.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/ourcofe-my-experience.html?_sm_au_=iVV0K0Sk55kWk77M
Dan Crouch - https://dancrouch.wordpress.com/2015/02/27/the-ourcofe-experience/
Amanda Robbie – https://thevicarswife.wordpress.com/2015/03/19/on-being-the-church-of-england/