On the final day of the Ancient Roots festival week, Rev. Dyllis and Rev. Naomi jointly led a service of celebration and thanksgiving.
Using a giant ordnance survey map of the local area as a focal point, Rev. Dyllis invited children to locate the village of Stalmine.
Next, representatives from the local community, each laid an item on the altar, symbolising their connection with the village. People from all walks of life in the community – from a member of the local Residents’ Association to a young footballer at Wyre Villa, made their way up to the front and the altar was soon covered with all kinds of ‘treasure’ such as a teddy, a bingo card, a lollipop, baked beans tins, a football programme, a Cub’s neckerchief, meeting minutes, a bowling bag, a pencil case, a cuddly soft toy ram and a yapping dog! But right in the very centre of them all, was a small wooden cross, representing the church at the heart of the community.
The gospel was read by Mr. Daniel Smith, headteacher of Stalmine Primary School, and it recounted the feeding of the five thousand.
Rev. Naomi built on this narrative by drawing attention to the question posed to Jesus by Andrew: “how far will they [five loaves and two small fish] go among so many?” To the utter delight of the little ones, she created her own bit of ‘magic’, using a small handful of kernels and a popcorn machine! Visibly, the popcorn appeared to have multiplied, and the children loved showing the big bowlful of warm, newly popped corn. The message was clear – ‘let’s see what happens when we bring the little we have to God – an abundant and generous God. Using the people in the local community as her example, Rev. Naomi noted the effect of a smile from the shop assistant, the impact of a teacher on a child, the safe crossing over a busy road provided by the ‘lollipop lady’…small actions and interactions can have a major ripple effect.
Clearly, throughout the service, there was much to celebrate and give thanks for: members of our local community, a full week of events during the Ancient Roots Festival, our church…to name but a few. The music was celebratory and the congregation enjoyed attempting to ‘raise the roof’ during the final hymn – ‘To God be the Glory’.
Naturally, the service was followed by a feast…one or two plates of food brought in by each person had multiplied into a delightful banquet, fit for a king! Food and fellowship brought the happiest of endings to an extraordinary week.
