St Andrew's, Sutton Park, Hull, didn't just throw its doors open for our "Come and See" Mission (12-15 March) last month - they threw a party with piñatas, parachutes and plenty of people, reports Vicar the Revd Chris van Straaten:
In our current lock-down "Come and See" seems a different world.
For me the highlight was a traditional large children's party that we organised at St Andrew's, Sutton Park in Hull. I say "traditional" because I realised that children don't often attend parties with things like balloons, pass the parcel, other party games and party foods like jelly and cakes. Also, we have a modern church with a large main area, so whenever children come in, they start running around as they love the space.
Very few children come to church services on Sundays, but we have a very successful Parent and Toddler group, close links with several schools and a happy Messy Church, so we invited all and sundry to the party, with a parent or carer needing to come as well. Our two churches really got on board, especially with all the food, and we decorated the church with balloons.
Over 60 children signed up (it was free, but we asked people to apply to come) and despite the Coronavirus threatening, they all came, as well as extra children - and about 40 parents! It was a WOW! Complete chaos, but very happily so! Children of all ages, parachute games, sack races on top of the sacks, and two piñatas (Mexican papier maché balls hanging on ropes, filled with sweets) made by our church's Craft Group. The children had to bash these until the sweets poured out.
The children had a marvellous time, and parents were extremely grateful to us for organising it; several asked whether we could do it each year!
Several members of our "Come and See" team went round chatting to parents. And we made sure that people knew that the event was organised by us, rather than just hired out to a group. Also, we left our sanctuary area open (normally it is curtained off) to make the point that this was part of our church's ministry.
It was a wonderfully happy time of hospitality and fun; ad it was a marvellous tonic for the church!
suttonparkandwawnechurchofengland.co.uk
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- Please send your "Come and See" stories (with pictures if you can) to comms@yorkdiocese.org.