New Monasticism on North Road?

This week I met with the Pioneer reading group over a latte. We got chatting about corporate worship and new ways of leading people in prayer and worship. We chatted a little about the increase in interest in New Monasticism and groups who have a Rule of Life, just as the Methodist Diaconal Order do of which I am a part. We also talked about rhythms of prayer and daily offices. After an hour I asked the question “How does this relate to Pioneer ministry? What can we learn?” I put into the mix my initial reflections about the bus station on North Road and wondered how might worship look there? We talked about signs and symbols which people readily identify with worship and prayer whether they are churched or not. We particularly mentioned the symbol of the candle for prayer and presence and the sound of bells as a call to worship. So I began to reflect on how these symbols might be used in somewhere like the bus station. Is there a place for daily offices in a place where people often have a daily rhythm of travel? How would it be if a 5 minutes daily office was signalled with a few chimes of a church bell? Would people engage or would they walk away? In a highly transient place, is there room for a rhythm of prayer and worship?