• 25 May 2017

Praise Party delivers for all–comers for sixth year on the trot

 ‘Praise Party’ now is firmly established as a highlight of the Diocesan year for children and those who work with them in Sunday School.

And 2017, the sixth year ‘Praise Party’, was another huge success, with Sunday School children of primary school age and their leaders once again making their way to Moira Parish Centre on Saturday afternoon (May 20)  for three hours of fun and fellowship.

‘Powered Up’ was this year’s theme, with the activities designed to underline the fact that God calls us to be superheroes in and for His kingdom. 

Willowfield’s Laurence Bellew (pictured) was to the fore in helping the children get ‘powered up’ and at the end of an action–packed three hours, none of those present had any doubts as to where the real power lies or who the true hero is. 

With the emphasis being on growing stronger in every area of life, the sports hall saw concentration on developing healthy bodies. In other words, powering up.

And even when the youngsters were watching a DVD, it was underlain by that same train of thought.

Meanwhile those in the crafts room made ‘rockets’. And upstairs, prayer – with Play–doh – focused not only on Ireland but the wider world. Here, too, the youngsters were fully engaged throughout.

Puppetry is a big feature of the Praise Party programme each year and 2017 was no different. The organisers were delighted to see the older children entertain their younger counterparts with much enthusiasm via the medium of puppets.

And vice versa, for the juniors showed that they, too, lacked nothing when it came to creativity in making important points.

Each of the day’s activities was age–appropriate, with the children and the leaders who accompanied them entering fully into the spirit of the occasion. 

Christine Hughes, Anne Williamson, Mark Wells and Laura Symons provided top–quality praise, with Mark and Laura also excelling as hosts.

Understandably, Julie Currie, the Diocesan Children’s Officer, was delighted with Praise Party ‘17.

“It was another fantastic day,” she enthused. “The children and their leaders got involved in all of the activities and they really enjoyed themselves.

“At the end, one of the adults came to me and said, ‘Do you know what date next year’s Praise Party will be? I don’t want to book holidays until I know because we wouldn’t want to miss this’. That was a lovely thing to hear.

“And the volunteers were just brilliant; nothing was too much trouble. They all worked so hard just to make it all work. The children were great, too – so enthusiastic, so keen to get involved and give everything a go.

“And it was the same with their leaders and teachers; they had no reservations, they just joined in with whatever was going on and that helped make it another great day.

“For those who have tried it, ‘Praise Party’ is something they just don’t want to miss. I think that proves the Diocese has come up with a really great idea with this.

“Everybody who attends – workers, volunteers, children, leaders – agrees that i t’s a fantastic event.

“How would I describe it? I’d say  ‘Praise Party’ is a wonderful initiative that allows us all to see a little bit more of what God is like and to know that He really does love us.

“Each year since it started, we really have been blessed.”