It is a privilege in my role as Children and Youth Minister to accompany families, children and young people on outings. Sometimes they are purely for fun, such as LazerQuest with Youth Fellowship or Chessington World of Adventures with Pioneers and sometimes we get to deepen our faith and join with other Christians. On June 22nd some of us will be going to see the Saltmine Theatre Company and on July 3rd will be going to see the ‘Life of Christ’ at Wintershalls. I look forward to telling you about these events next month.

But first – I’d like to tell you about the Big Church Day Out!

Bank Holiday Monday (May 31st) started early and overcast when 16 parishioners travelled down to Wiston House, Steyning for the Big Church Day Out. With improved car parking and two entrances we were swiftly in and marked out a pitch in front of the main stage (leaving plenty of space in front of us for those with energy to dance!). Gradually everyone arrived, more and more groups set up camp (some with gazebos, most with blankets and ‘fisherman’ chairs!), we munched our packed lunches and looked through the programme for the day.

There were two stages where you could watch and listen to bands, drama and videos on huge screens. There was plenty for the youngsters with separate worship tents, bouncy obstacle courses, sumo wrestling, gladiator pugil sticks (a firm favourite with some of the girls!), BMX bikes, a climbing wall and at least two places to play football. There were tractor rides up to the house where the tea tent was and another, quieter and less excitable, stage with lots of tables, garden chairs and cream teas. As the event started the sun came out and we began to celebrate that ‘the church is not in decline, it is alive and well, and even prepared to gather and celebrate all that is good together!!’ Our hosts for the day on Main Stage were Diane Louise Jordan and Pete Greig.

On our pitch in front of Main Stage we sang, danced and some even jumped (with ground shaking sound system and flashing lights) to the exuberant sounds of Brenton Brown, Tim Hughes, Switchfoot, TobyMac and Israel Houghton. LZ7 popped across from B-stage to warm us up and introduce us to their new song ‘Shine’ – extremely catchy and biblically sound (will we shine for God in our communities!!!). Up at the Tea Tent, altogether more civilised, entertainment was provided by Lou Fellingham, Kings Chamber Orchestra, Graham Kendrick, and Stuart Pendred. There was drama by Rhema Theatre Company, Wintershalls and Saltmine throughout the day and for the energetic you could go for a run, play touch rugby or walk and play Frisbee in the grounds. If that wasn’t enough – there was also the food avenue, Habitat for Humanity had an interactive display, Psalm Drummers (who ran a session at our holiday club last year!) were drumming in various places, pony rides, a prayer room and the marketplace.

The highlight of the day, for me, was worshipping with Hillsong United and as darkness fell, up on the hillside, we could see the shape of a cross, made of bonfires beginning to light up the night. Looking across the sea of people, on the hillside, throughout the day was just amazing and filled me with deep joy. There were thousands of people with one common purpose – to celebrate. It was a long day and we journeyed home tired but energised by the chance to enjoy being church, deepen friendships and sing our hearts out in praise and worship, in the beautiful countryside, to our great God!

To find out more please look at the Big Church Day out website or maybe search YouTube where there are plenty of clips and if you look closely you might even spot some of us – I did! Do put the date aside for next year and come join in – it’s for all ages! Watch out for details on the parish website for tickets and transport arrangements. If you’d like to know more please do ask me at church or catch John Muggleton, Jackie / Jenny or Amelia Richardson, Julie and Lucy Whing or any of the Samuels or Malabre families.

If you would like to be involved in our ministry to children and young people do please contact me on 246609 or mandy@waltonparish.co.uk.