Firestarters!

On 14 May 2005 Liverpool Anglican Cathedral hosted FIRESTARTERS, a Family Fun Day on the theme of Pentecost. A Blazing Trail invited all ages to meet with God through interactive prayer stations, using bubbles, flames, candles and pebbles. Even more prayer stations had been created for FIRESTARTERS SCHOOLS DAY on the previous Thursday, when 400 children explored the cathedral on a spiritual journey where a popular station was Pray Dough, a creative and thoughtful area by the Derby Memorial.

600 people enjoyed the Family Fun Day and made a variety of wonderful crafts, including kites and flying doves; they also enjoyed the Coverdale puppets and Damascus Road Band; the Gospel tricks and All Hallows Sunday Group Dancers; the Cathedral Girls Choir; the Family Zone hospitality and home made refreshments; the numerous trails and the visits up the Cathedral Tower.

At 3.00 pm everyone was invited to stay for a celebratory Pentecost Eve Choral Evensong which included choirs, organ fanfares, praise songs and a dance by the 52nd Liverpool Brownies. Children climbed high up on to the Ambo to read from the Bible. Canon Treasurer Anthony Hawley and Canon Precentor Toby Forward wore cloaks adorned with prayer flames, which children had made during their busy day. A colourful balloon release ended the day when prayers were sent soaring up to God in the wonderful sunshine.

We give thanks to the small and talented team who planned, prepared and prayed with us, for the cathedral vergers and staff, and the families and groups who joined us on these two Spirit filled days. We thank God for all his blessings.

Sarah O’Donoghue, Cathedral Education Officer

Jane Leadbetter, Diocesan Children’s Work Adviser