Moira’s Churches host a ‘Big Weekend’ for the whole village
Moira’s 5 churches recently came together to host ‘Moira’s Big Weekend’, a a packed programme of family–friendly events that attracted hundreds of people of all ages.
The aim was outreach – to introduce people to Jesus – and over the weekend special guest, Bishop Ken Clarke, addressed The Big Issue, The Big Question and The Big Decision. All of this took place in a Big Tent! (1000 seater marquee)
The Big Weekend got off to a brilliant start on Friday 10 June with the Kids’ Morning. Moira’s 2 primary schools had been invited and over 500 children came along for a fun programme of songs, puppeteering, prayers and (of course) balloon modelling.
The fun continued with the Big Family Festival in a sunny Moira Demesne on Saturday afternoon and on both Friday and Saturday nights the marquee became an Acoustic Café. From 7–11.00 pm, folk enjoyed live music, refreshments and a short message from Bishop Ken.
On Sunday morning the tent and overflow held an amazing 1200 people gathered for worship led by the 5 church leaders along with a combined praise band, local primary school choirs, puppets and Bishop Ken.
Afterwards, the marquee emptied into the Demesne for a ‘Picnic in the Park’ complete with face painting and those busy puppets!
This was the first time the churches had worked together on this scale and after the success of the weekend there is plenty of scope for the future.
Revd Joanne Megarrell, rector of St John’s Moira said:
“It was wonderful to have the churches working together for this mission event – all of us with different ‘flavours’ of what it means to be ‘church’, but all working for the extension of God’s kingdom and His glory.”