On Saturday the 27th of July the See of Beverley Northern Provincial Festival took place at York Minster with the theme ‘We believe in the Holy Spirit.’
The day began with a Solemn Mass, during which Centenary Project Worker Mel Pay (Children, Youth and Families Worker based at St Leonard’s and St Jude’s in Scawsby, Doncaster), along with a fantastic team from the church, provided the children’s work. Children took part from all over the Northern Province of the Church of England.
The children had a short talk about the Holy Spirit, before getting the opportunity to get creative with four craft stations based on the main theme – colouring, pin wheels, kites and a beautiful image of a mosaic dove that they presented to the Bishop of Beverley, The Rt Revd Stephen Race SSC, as a memory for him to take away.
The children re-joined the rest of the congregation for a Children’s Liturgy of the Word. They shared what they had created, including a demonstration of one of the kites up the aisle of the Minster! The congregation then also shared what they had been doing while the children were out.
While initially out of Mel’s comfort zone when she was asked if she would lead the children’s work provision, with the support of the team of volunteers from St Leonard’s and St Jude’s the children’s input was a great success. Mel’s daughter who helped as well as taking part, declaring it “good fun!”
Mel said:
“It was a joy to be given the opportunity to run activities for all the children at the event, we met some really fantastic people and it was good to meet other children from different churches. I am proud of the team of volunteers I work with; I wouldn’t be able to do the job I do without them.”
