Friday’s ‘story line’ was to share stories through music, creation and worship. An early morning Taizé-style service at St. Oswald’s Preesall, provided the opening chapter for an action-packed day. Reflective and meditative in nature, the service, led by Elizabeth, was calming and soothing, restorative and peaceful. The simple repetitive chants, were mournful, soulful and spiritual in equal measure. Scripture readings and a following meditation, generated food for thought. Prayers of intercession and a final song: ‘Bless the Lord my soul, and bless God’s holy name, bless the Lord my soul, who leads me into life,’ concluded the service.
Beginning the weekend and setting the hospitality bar high, a lovely breakfast was on offer for all, to share with chat and fellowship.
Just as the Taizé service was closing, another chapter was unfolding, entitled – ‘Lyrics and Lunch’.
Few groups do more for mission and outreach than this ever-popular and much-valued provision for people living with dementia and their carers, hosted at St. Oswald’s Preesall and led by Rev. Judith. To witness the group in action is a privilege. Tables are set, a delicious lunch is provided and guests are waited on hand and foot. Nothing is too much trouble. All this happens as a backdrop to the sharing of music, familiar melodies from days gone by with lyrics proclaiming and reclaiming tales from the past and providing opportunities for participation with instruments and vocals. Care for this community is exceptional, gentle in approach but strong in support. Every person and their story is valued.
Running concurrently, a few miles down the road at St. James’ Stalmine, a different story was developing through God Outdoors, for children in the early chapters of life. Pre-schoolers from the local nursery and the regular Little Fishes Toddler Group enjoyed coming together to celebrate some stories in God’s creation under the leadership of Rev. Naomi. Blessed with sunshine and the freedom of the outdoor space, children were nurtured through bible stories, crafting, story stones, happa art (the art of pounding leaves and flowers onto fabric to transfer their natural pigments), story sticks…all leaving imprints on young minds and lives, adding to the narrative already begun. Bishop Matthew, Bishop of Bolton (on loan from the Diocese of Manchester for the weekend), enjoyed interacting with the little ones as the creative stories of the morning unfolded.
No sooner had the pre-schoolers returned to nursery, Key Stage 1 pupils from Stalmine Primary School arrived, full of smiles and enthusiasm. After some quick refreshments, the children gathered together to create some stories from cards and story stones, before heading off to explore the range of activities on offer. Decorating pebbles with a story was popular, crafting story puppets, using sticks, leaves, wool and other natural materials to make characters in a story proved to be good fun. Clay made a great base to decorate with the bountiful fruits of nature to be found outdoors, such as leaves, cones and conkers and, in their own way, helped to tell a story of their own. There was an opportunity to make some mud faces, which, along with natural objects could be used by the youngsters to make characters from their own story or a story they love. Story sticks, adorned with ribbons, braids and coloured pipe-cleaners, were created and used to tell a story of their making.
A highlight of the morning was when Bishop Matthew shared his own story of the gifts he was given when he became a bishop and explained their significance. Using one of the children as his model, the mitre, shepherd’s crook, silver cross and Bible were proudly paraded in front of an appreciative audience.
All too soon, it was time for the visitors to head back to school for lunch, almost certainly, with more tales to tell of their adventures, with arms full of evidence of the stories which had been shared.
The afternoon, followed a similar pattern, this time, with Key Stage 2 pupils. The older children demonstrated their innovation in their ‘story-telling’, their imagination in their designs and their engagement with the scenarios they concocted, the plot twists and turns they created and the unusual outcomes they confidently shared.
The young people were keen to tell the story of their designs and show off the end products; they completed trails and hunts; they became master-crafters and skilful builders, working with nature in the most natural of workshops.
Once more, Bishop Matthew dressed up a willing participant in Bishop’s regalia, to the delight of the young man’s peers.
The afternoon ended as it had begun – with smiles and excitement, as the pupils made their way back to school, clutching physical ‘stories’ of how they had spent their time in nature’s playground.
At 4 o’clock, another God Outdoors event took place, this time for all primary-aged children in the benefice and the local community. More children, more stories to tell, more narratives to explore, more anecdotes to recount. The story-lines were fast-paced, the action was swift and the twists and turns were multiple. The conclusion remained the same – the God of Creation has gifted us with a beautiful world, and we are uniquely known and loved by Him.
The narrative of the day moved onwards at 7:00pm…this time the story was taken up by Blessed Virgin Mary church in Hambleton.
Alistair Mackenzie – conductor, organist, pianist, accompanist and teacher – delivered a masterclass in organ recitals. In between playing five classical favourites from Bach, Mendelssohn, Edgar and Vierne, he told biographical stories of the composers, shared information behind their inspiration and explained the nuances behind the notes. His performance certainly pulled out all the stops! It was an uplifting end, to a joyful day of celebration, where stories swirled, tales were told and narratives were explored.
Through music, creation and worship, stories had been front and centre.
