Children’s Praise Party biggest, brightest, best ever…
The third Annual Diocesan Children’s Praise Party on 17 May was the biggest yet, attracting 265 children and around 80 leaders. They came to Moira Parish Centre from across the diocese to have fun and learn all about being part of God’s family.
Our favourite friends from last year, puppets Englebert and Humperdink the camels returned to introduce the theme (with help from Bishop Harold!) along with Sister Karen Webb and Captain John O’Neill, Church Army Officers in Lisburn Cathedral.
Children had been busy prior to the Praise Party on their own special badges designed around the theme ‘We are family…’ with the overall Key Stage 1 and 2 winners from Ballyphilip & Ardquin and Mount Merrion Parishes.
After an opening celebration, the children moved around five different interactive stations including badge making, song time, prayer crafts and more puppetry fun, as well as a well–earned rest with juice, biscuits and a DVD!
Three hours of praise, prayer and play had the leaders exhausted but the children exhilarated and wanting more!!
Diocesan Children’s Officer, Julie Currie, had this to say about the day: ‘It was brilliant to see lots of new faces at this year’s Praise Party, as well as plenty of returning faces. We’re incredibly blessed to have lots of committed volunteers working with our children across the diocese, many of whom give up time on Sundays and even more time to bring their children to the Praise Party. We also have a fantastic team of Children’s Ministry volunteers who help serve on days like this. With children as one of the central focuses of our Year of Mission in 2015, we’re really excited that this year’s Praise Party was the biggest yet, but we want to make it even bigger and more successful next year!’
Enjoy our praise Party photo gallery here.