On
Tuesday 25th March, 45 of us from St. George's, including 25
children and young people, set off to Skegness for Spring Harvest 2008.
Spring
Harvest is a Christian Conference held at Butlins every year the week
offers Bible teaching and preaching for all ages and all levels,
exuberant worship, a choice of interesting and informative seminars,
fantastic children's and youth work, opportunities for prayer,
reflection and quiet times, time to meet and mix with other Christians
and a whole host of sporting and leisure opportunities such as swimming,
football, basketball, fairground rides and trips to the beach.
The
journey to Skegness was stress-free and the weather was what you might
expect from the East Coast at that time of year. However, it would take
more than a bit of wind and rain to dampen our high spirits!
Here
is a typical day at Spring Harvest: -
At
9.00 a.m. the day begins as we head off to the Big Top for a time of all
age worship - this is hard to get up for but is a great start to the day
and is the only time we are all together as a group, so we feel it's
important - it's also lots of fun with drama, singing, dancing and an
introduction to the theme for the day.
At
9.30 a.m. everyone goes into different groups or sessions. The children
and the young people are then busy all morning enjoying teaching
relevant to their ages - this gives the adults opportunities to attend
the Bible Study and a choice of Seminars. This year the Bible Studies
were based on Isaiah with a theme of One People.
The
Bible Study leads naturally into a seminar, which is more interactive
and helps us with applying what we learn to our own lives.
At
1.00 p.m. everyone breaks for lunch and then during the afternoon there
is a whole host of things to do - there are additional seminars to go
along to if you choose, the prayer room is open if you want space for
reflection, some people choose to go to the beach - which is breezy to
say the least! The fairground and the swimming pool are open and are all
included in the price; football, basketball and netball tournaments run
throughout the week. There is also the time and space to browse the
bookstall, enjoy coffee and a chat with friends and to just relax. At
Skegness there is the added bonus of a Spa which some of us took
advantage of and enjoyed 2 hours of quiet relaxation!
Then
in the evenings the adults go to the Big Top for an evening celebration,
which is a wonderful time of praise, worship and preaching. To be with
thousands of other people worshipping together is amazing but even more
incredible is how so often you can hear God's voice speaking directly to
you during these times, as if you were the only person there.
The
children and young people go back to their own age groups and engage in
lively worship and relevant teaching.
After
the evening celebrations those with any energy left can choose to go to
late night swimming, a late night concert or a show - Others choose to
head back to their chalets for supper and a chat with friends.
We
all arrived back safely on the following Sunday - everyone was extremely
tired, but I think I speak on behalf of everyone when I say it was a
fantastic week.
Spring
Harvest really is a special place, going there is uplifting and
inspiring, it encourages and equips us in our walk with God, it
challenges us and changes us as we listen to God - and the time spent
with one another and with God really builds us up and helps shape us
further into the people we are called to be in the places we are called
to live and serve.
Angela
Such
SPRING HARVEST
2009 - We plan to go to Skegness on 4th April 2009 If you are interested in
joining us please speak to me before the end of May - there are a range
of accommodations and prices, self-catering or half board and something
to suit everyone. We hope to take a youth group again next year, however
families and adult groups are welcome to join us too.
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