MRS Light is of course the Reverend Penny, a member of the Cirencester ministry team, serving the town’s three Anglican churches and so much more within the town itself.

In supporting her in ministry I have not become more holy, but I have certainly become more knowledgeable about the Church of England.

The role I play is perhaps more onlooker than participant, but it has allowed me to make a judgement. The work of the church has two aspects. That which goes on inside the church, which we can call worship and that which goes on outside, let us call that mission.

Church worship of course is for those who turn up on Sundays or at the great landmarks of the church’s year, Christmas and Easter.

This is altogether worthy, long lasting and will continue for the foreseeable future.

Nationally, despite some lively church’s numbers are falling. Congregations are elderly and there may not be enough people to replace them.

That makes what happens outside the church of extreme importance.

Mission means outreach, meeting other people, encouraging them to come to church, setting them an example and above all helping in time of need to people of any faith or none. It can be summed up by the words of the eleventh commandment “Love thy neighbour”.

I know many Christians who are superb at this, but I also know some who confine their Christian lives to what happens on Sunday mornings. If the church is to grow these people need to get out and about.

This advent there has been a wonderful innovation in Cirencester. The Crown is a large welcoming pub in Cirencester Market Place.

On Monday evenings a table has been commandeered by two clergymen. One is a lively retired minister Paul Springate. He is supported in this by the new vicar of Cirencester, Canon Graham Morris. They are at this table in the bar hosting an advent group.

It is open to anyone and everyone. Both men have a friendly and open style, and will make everyone welcome. In a way that is not stuffy but totally human and warm. They are showing what the church must do to halt the consistent shrinkage we see everywhere, but not I suspect now in Cirencester. The importance of mission is understood and acted on. It will be on Saturday 22 December. Look out for the mince pies.