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At the weekend, the Sunday Assembly launched new services in 35 cities across the world – the largest expansion yet of their 'atheist churches'. Started in January 2013 by British comedians Sanderson Jones and Pippa Evans, the Sunday Assembly seeks to offer the communal, uplifting aspect of church, without any of the God business.The US has proved one of the most fertile markets for the Sunday Assembly, with 11 cities already hosting events and another 16 launching new services as part of the latest expansion. The Guardian sent Adam Gabbatt to the first service in Cleveland, Ohio, to find out how a godless church works