‘In At The Deep End’
This year's theme was based all around the Sea of Galilee and focussed on some of the many events that happened there during Jesus' ministry.
Our usual Arts and Crafts morning saw Banner making in the church, the results of which you can see on the walls. From "The Stilling of the Storm" to "Breakfast on the Beach", you can see that once again our group leaders have excelled themselves in terms of creativity and inspiring the children's work.
The older group had their own base up in the hall and made hot cross muffins, knotted a net, and also did something very mysterious with lemonade bottles and fishing hooks! I still haven't worked out how they functioned, but ask any of the youth group, they'll be pleased to explain!
Fr. Andrew then led everyone in a very dramatic re-enactment of Jonah and the Whale, and it was time for lunch.
Sadly, as far as games at St. Matthew's school were concerned, rain stopped play! But, as ever, Celebration Weekend spirit ruled and they had an indoor version at the hall instead. In the meantime the youth group took themselves off to Laserhub in Crawley for an afternoon of action. The honour of all was upheld in terms of the number of points scored, although Fr. Andrew was heard to grumble that people were hiding around corners and ganging up on him. Surely not.....
Helen and Nathan Baker and Beth Harwood then provided a fantastic Beach Party Disco and BBQ in the evening. It was too wet to eat outside, and this also kept the numbers attending down. But being all together inside made for a wonderful party atmosphere, enhanced by bunting hung from the ceiling and Beth's light show.
We sailed our way through the Celebration Weekend Eucharist on Sunday morning, then all piled onto the coach to navigate our way to Buchan Country Park, near Crawley.
After a picnic lunch and a craft activity, we met Phil the Ranger who started us off on a Scavenger Hunt around the lake. After that there was just time for a story sitting under the shade of a tree, then back on the bus to come home to a well deserved cup of tea!
As ever, we can't thank enough all the helpers, leaders and committee without
whom this weekend wouldn't take place. So a huge thank you to everyone who
played a part in the organisation and implementation of the weekend.
We all had a great time, adults and children. So if you would like to be part
of it next year, have a word with one of us on the committee.
Fr. Andrew, Rev'd Rosemary, Jenny Window, Jill West, Louise Hill, Anne Currie
And now for next year ……….