Harvest Festival at Swanwick Methodist

Swanwick
Methodist Church

I set off at 8:30am with all my PA and projection equipment on board. It was a gorgeous day with the sun shining and the temperature in the low 70s. The scenery as I drove through eastern Derbyshire was stunning. I was the first to arrive at the church and parked just outside, unloading my equipment and stowing it beside the front door of the church.

Swanwick
Methodist Church

I was really impressed by the garden in front of the church. It has been brilliantly cared for. The grass was lush and closely cut and the fuscias were are beautiful sight.
It was good to see that they had adopted my suggestion of 'A fruity service'. The theme was based upon Galatians 5:22-23 which is St. Paul's teaching on the fruit of the Spirit. The title was designed to appeal to those who don't normally come to church because this service acted also as a 'Back to church Sunday' service.

Swanwick
Methodist Church

The church was full to overflowing. Lots of Rainbows and a few Brownies were in attendance and some families, new to the church were there too. It was difficult for those on the tables at the side of the worship area to see the screen but they participated well. The Rainbows sang us a song towards the start of the service and the offering of produce was donated to the Clay Cross and South Normanton Foodbanks.
We started and ended with traditional harvest hymns and had some more contemporary music in between - 'Let there be love shared among us', 'We are marching' and 'Go peaceful'. In order to involve the congregation, and especially the young people, we had a sketch where 9 people stood at the front of the church with their backs to the congregation. On their backs was a segment of a banana. Wen they turned around, they revealed one word from the Fruit of the Spirit reading.

Butterley

This was to demonstrate that you can't be a complete Christian unless you show signs of every fruit. I also used a Celtic Heart visual entitled 'Rhythms of Rest' which talks about the need to live in harmony with God's Spirit.
I was delighted with the responses from e congregation. Everyone felt at home and participated in the service fully. A really pleasing morning.

On the road to Swanwick

On the way back home I stopped at Butterley junction where the old trains run backwards and forwards between Swanwick junction. It is only a short 10 minute ride and many of the trains are diesel.
In the afternoon we attempted to find accommodation in Budapest over Christmas. It is proving difficult. We are using the Airbnb web site. The prices vary and the facility to contact the owners does not seem to work well. The flight costs with Easyjet have also increased since last we looked.

© Roger G Johnson 2013