Lynn Holmes writes:
A very dark and rather dismal Saturday turned out to be exactly the best sort of day to have an event for young families with a focus on God’s light shining in the dark parts of our world.
Over 40 people came on the 2nd November to enjoy bun-icing, action games, word searches, craft activities (we even made lighthouses!), a musical session, and quiet times of reflection about God ‘s light and love in our lives. We learned about the saints and about our role in being saints now; we also thought about the darkness we sometimes have in our lives and how God can help us with our fears and sadness. We learned the great chorus of prayer and praise, “Shine, Jesus, shine” and even had the chance to see the vicar wearing a luminescent ninja headband…
Finally we walked out into the darkness of the churchyard and watched as our church gradually lit up both outside and inside – there were audible gasps from the crowd as we walked up a rainbow-coloured aisle to the brightness of the altar and had a time of prayer and contemplation before singing our way back down the aisle and safely home.
Next day most of the children joined us again at our All Saints’ patronal festival, singing and walking in the procession, and carrying some of the light-related objects we had made the evening before – a very joyous occasion.
We would like to thank everyone who made this event possible - by giving out invitations, putting up posters, preparing activities and leading or helping on the day. Special thanks go to our amazing lighting technician, Steve Woolmer, and his assistants, Michael Goslin and Barley Gillespie, who spent the day rigging, then de-rigging the lights, and without whom it would not have been so spectacular.
There is already a proposal to repeat this event next year so watch this space!
www.kirkbymoorsideparish.org.uk
Upper photo: Marj Coughlan. Lower photo: Joe Coughlan