The Liverpool City Centre Methodist Church, ‘Somewhere Else’ is a place where you can gather with job seekers and retired persons, employees in local business and University students, survivors of all kinds of abuse and often life itself, homeless persons and single mums or dads, persons struggling with clinical depression and regular church worshippers from London to Scotland. ‘Somewhere Else’ is recognized as a place where community formation is not just talked about, it evolves daily. Tuesdays and Thursdays at ‘Somewhere Else’ focus upon baking and sharing of bread, but the process of creating dough, kneading, allowing dough to rise and baking only touches the surface of how the Spirit works through people who gather here. ‘Somewhere Else’ is a little over ten years old and was inspired by Rev. Dr. Barbara Glasson (now serving in the West Yorkshire Methodist District) through the support of the Liverpool Methodist District. The intent was to create an organic Christian presence in Liverpool City Centre.

The cornerstone of what happens at ‘Somewhere Else’ is Storytelling. Participants who attend Tuesday and Thursday worship generally do not know one another, so the initial hour is usually spent in conversation around a large breadmaking table dusted in flour. As the morning progresses and as people engage in conversation with one another, a visible creation of a new community is evident. Most importantly, stories are shared, experiences are discussed and new friendships develop. While this process can seem daunting at first, the community at ‘Somewhere Else’ places daily trust in the Spirit and each other to guide this formation. By the time morning worship commences, there is a comfort level in a time of reflection and prayer, followed by sharing in a common meal together.

Many people who worship regularly at ‘Somewhere Else’ come from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences that allow for a rich resource of stories. Worshippers can share experiences of homelessness and rough sleeping, drug or alcohol abuse, grief or loss or family estrangement. They can also share experiences of career achievements, military service, a holiday or an interesting encounter on the morning train. Storytelling is a key aspect of community development.

Through storytelling, experiences are shared with the wider community and are the basis of a wide network of support. Storytelling can transcend preconceptions of people, and helps to allow one another to identify and empathize with experiences.

During Holy Week 2010, a storytelling event was held, incorporating an arts and crafts project creating shoes. These shoes symbolized each participant’s ongoing journey through life, recognizing the uniqueness of each individual’s story. Each participant was encouraged to individualize their shoes to reflect their personalities and their stories. Approximately 35 participants spent Maundy Thursday 2010 creating their own shoes and also sharing their individual stories through worship, reflection upon Scripture and prayer. In addition, worshippers had an opportunity to have hands washed and massaged with ‘expensive’ lotion. This act was Scripturally inspired and was a humbling, outer sign of our desire to care for and serve one another in love and in implicit recognition that we are all equal but different.

Because of it’s location in the heart of Liverpool City Centre, there is a natural element of ministry to local homeless persons and rough sleepers. Those who are homeless are invited to attend breadmaking or at least to join the community for lunch. ‘Somewhere Else’ tries to provide as much support and listening as possible for those who are working to get off the streets. Over time, several people who were once homeless or sold the ‘Big Issue’ have become members of the Methodist Church. Again, their stories of survival are invaluable in their efforts to assist others who are in similar situations.

Storytelling is also a major component in the work of CASAI, the ‘Church’s Action on Sexual Abuse Issues’, helping survivors of sexual abuse to move forward in their lives through sharing of stories, hearing their pain and valuing the person. CASAI regularly holds sessions at ‘Somewhere Else’ and also cares for survivors who have been hurt by the institutional Church. They come knowing they are accepted and included for exactly who they are and whatever their journeys entail. Many artistic expressions of storytelling can be seen at ‘Somewhere Else’. Bereavement support groups are regularly held, again encouraging participants to share in storytelling and to allow healing to take place after the loss of a loved one.

In addition, two groups provide ministry to the local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) community. Storm was founded approximately ten years ago at Liverpool University and has transformed in its membership over the years. ‘Liverpool Quest’, a support group for LGBT Roman Catholics, was formerly housed in the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and is now based at ‘Somewhere Else’. Both groups provide worship, fellowship and storytelling opportunities.