Proost - Inspiring Resources that Fuel Faith

I've just returned from Greenbelt 2008 where, amongst many other things, I was privileged to attend an artist showcase reception for a company called Proost. Proost is a small independent outlet for the work of a number of creative writers, musicians and film-makers who are producing resources to support the church. The range of resources available include short animated films, video loops, liturgies, music. The creative arm of the company is headed by Jonny Baker, who is at the vanguard of all things creative in the emergent church movement in the UK and Jon Birch, a music writer/producer and multimedia artist amongst many other things. They were involved in the development of the multimedia labyrinth. Whilst both are UK-based, their influence extends as far as the US and Australia.

Proost offer a subscription package for £60 per annum. For this sum, you are given free access to a back catalogue of downloadable resources worth £200 in addition to any new items published each month. From what I have seen, no other company's offer comes close to this. If you are not sure about the subscription, you can easily download individual items from Proost. I have downloaded several items including short animations at the meagre sum of £1.99. If you are involved with organising worship in church or small group settings, take a look at what Proost have to offer.

CREATE Exhibition - Every Tribe and Tongue

It's nearly time for the 4th annual celebration of arts and crafts hosted by Holy Family Church, Pensby. This year, the CREATE group which meets at Marksway Scout Hut has taken on responsibility for the event. In addition to the usual, wonderful array of work by local artisans, Linda Herbert has been very busy and has managed to secure some funding to enable more workshop activities to take place. The event has been subtitled Every Tribe and Tongue to fit in snugly with Liverpool's Capital of Culture events so it is to be hoped that we will see diversity in all its forms celebrated. There will be the hugely popular WORD evening taking place on Wednesday evening (6th August) so dust off your favourite poetry book, write your own poems or get practising that musical instrument. There may well be a little glass of something to calm those nerves!

Much as it would be nice to think that all of this fabulous midsummer activity is organised by the CREATE! fairies, it actually takes a lot of hard work. If you are able to spare an hour here or there to steward the event and perhaps serve some refreshments, we would be glad of your help. It is a wonderful event to be part of and always brings with it its own rewards. We also need strapping people to set the whole thing up on Monday and help dismantle on Saturday. If you can help in any way, please email the team.

The event takes place from Monday 4th August to Saturday 9th August in the church. We look forward to seeing you, as an artist, as a visitor or even if you fancy coming along to do some art work in the wonderful ambience of our lovely church.

Entry form download PDF
Entry form download Word Document

Poster


CREATE illustration courtesy of www.lumaxart.com, shared through a Creative Commons licence.

Windsails

During the week prior to Easter, over 400 pupils from the local schools came to spend time in St Michaels Church, Pensby. Wendy Rudd had lent us her exhibition of mobile Windsails, inspired by a visit to Lindisfarne. They are beautiful, and so inspiring. The children made their own windsails in craft groups. In the church they were given time to watch them gently rotating in the air, reflecting quietly on the special atmosphere in church. A number volunteered that they felt God was right by them, even in their hearts. Their comments were quite moving. Here are some photos. To learn more, go to http://freespace.virgin.net/wendyrudd.textiles
then click Gallery, and Windsails. Fascinating!

Easter 2008

Easter this year was the earliest it has been for many years. It will not occur this early again during the lifetime of anyone living today. This means that we have been experiencing winter weather, with many places covered in snow! However, one of the annual Easter events was able to take place. After Morning Services people from several churches gathered at Thingwall Methodist Church forecourt for the Good Friday Walk of Witnesss. We progressed to Thingwall shops, then to Whaley Lane corner, Church of the Holy Family, Emmanuel Church, and finished at St Michaels with lunch for us all.

The clouds cleared and the sun shone down on us, as if God was saying "Bless you." At each stopping place Scripture readings were given, drama sketches read out, and Easter songs were sung. Here are a few photos taken of the event. If you like them, join us next time; but you will have to wait a year!

(David Williams)

Alpha

What's the news on the Autumn Alpha course?

Isn't God good?

Here's a little vid to warm the cockles of your heart... Bet you didn't know that Ricky Gervais had such depth...



Courtesy of Godtube.com

Recycling the rubbish

I was just listening to the morning service on the radio, a young man was talking about his being baptised in a prison chapel, they had a water filled bin at the back of the chapel and he was baptised in it , what a great idea! I wonder was it the little black bin, or more likely the large ones we now have in a rainbow( almost) of colours on our drives.God the first and greatest recycler of rubbish, taking the discarded, seemingly useless, empty people we are and making us useful, worthwhile, part of something completely new.