Church uses pub hub

Members of a Hitchin church have been sitting on a different kind of pew for their meetings in a bid to attract new blood.

The Hub Church was set up in 2011 as an informal forum for open debate and discussion.

The congregation has regular meetings and hosted a Christmas jumper Sunday event at the town’s Sun Hotel.

Church leader Dan Drew, who is training to become a priest in the Church of England, said: “We just noticed some of our friends in their 20s started asking questions about faith. We are a fresh expression of faith for people in their 20s and 30s and meet in pubs to debate various topics.

“We act for people who want a bridge between church and faith.

“In the past we have had a James Bond-themed life questions special on 007 and philosophy, pool nights in Osinsky’s and had a welfare tent at Rhythms of the World.

“We are not too preachy or judgmental and tend to get a good reception from pub regulars.

“We also embrace social media. We have even had Bishop Alan Smith of the Diocese of St Albans attend, with people tweeting questions to him. He was great and really bought into it.”

For more information visit www.thehubchurch.co.uk.