Light Stories
We’ve loved hearing about the Light Parties running across the diocese over the past few weeks, bringing together families and communities and sharing the light and hope of Jesus! Here are a few highlights:
St Peter’s Toton set out to serve as many cups of hot chocolate as possible on Hallowe’en! They set up three gazebos around the area and gave away sweets, glow sticks, and hot chocolate, all free of charge. They also handed out leaflets outlining the Toton churches’ Christmas programme, sparking plenty of conversations about the festive events and services on offer.
The Light Stations became must-visit beacons of light throughout the evening as children, teens, and parents toured the streets in a variety of fancy dress. A pair of Light Fairies also pounded the pavements, encouraging trick-or-treaters to seek them out.
In just a couple of hours, more than 300 hot chocolates were given away, along with loads of sweets, plenty of glow sticks, and countless positive conversations.
Lady Bay Church at All Hallows
Lady Bay hosted a Light Night welcoming over 320 children and youth and more than 160 adults into the church to experience the Light of Jesus!
Kristine, one of the church leaders, said, “It feels like people are seeing us as ‘the living room of Lady Bay’ and a safe place to spend time with their friends. The intern barn were incredible, playing a combination of pop songs and worship.”
Over 70 people attended St Leonard’s Light Activity Evening, including two dinosaurs! Guests enjoyed marshmallows cooked over an open fire pit, followed by hot chocolate and cakes. The evening featured a range of fun and meaningful activities, including making stained-glass windows to explore the idea that without light there is no color, creating “light houses” to show how light brings guidance and safety, and hunting for hidden objects in the church using torches and low lighting to demonstrate how light breaks through darkness. Guests also made Happy Halloween cards explaining why All Hallows’ Eve celebrates followers of Jesus, “The Light of the World.”
Alison, part of the community at St Leonard’s, shared, “It was a fun evening with lots of time to chat parents as well as skeletons, ghouls, ghosts and…….dinosaurs!”
St Mary the Virgin & All Souls’, Bulwell
St Mary’s church in Bulwell has been busy during half term remembering All Souls and All Saints. Children and families enjoyed a ‘Better than Hallowe’en Party’ during half term with pumpkin carving, apple bobbing, arts and crafts, with a message based around the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu:
Goodness is stronger than evil;
Love is stronger than hate;
Light is stronger than darkness;
Life is stronger than death;
Victory is ours through Jesus who loves us.
We’re so thankful for the joy, generosity, and the opportunities to encounter Jesus through these wonderful events!
Has your church run a community event recently? We’d love to hear about it!