Merseyfest Weekend
Croxteth Park – 20 & 21 August

• Event photos
• Cruz the Caterpillar Prayer Blanket photos

As I travelled around the diocese, or had conversations via telephone or email, during Merseyfest Week, I encountered all ages involved in many projects, from painting run down shopping precincts & railings, litter picking, clearing park lakes (anyone want a bike?), planting bulbs, organising children’s activities & holiday clubs, to OAP meals and make-over swing parks. Developing a huge Merseyside pride I was engaged in hunting for props to be used in a children’s prayer tent in the Family Zone at Croxteth Park Merseyfest Weekend. The forecast of excellent weather and all denominations coming together in one place could not have predicted the WOW! factor which I encountered in our zone.

Over 850 caterpillar prayer passports were given out to children, mostly unchurched, during a twelve hour period, in a tent with interactive prayer stations. Witnessing coloured stickers were collected along the journey and a butterfly was made before exiting into the bright sunshine. Mothers flung children into the tent hoping we were a crèche, when we gently persuaded them to make the journey together. Coloured footprints and instruction cards lead them to meet with God. Some children returned on the Sunday to repeat the experience. A grandmother was challenged by a child to make a butterfly with her. An infant asked for help to wrote ‘I am sad’ on the prayer blanket. Teenagers squeezed through the caterpillar play tunnel and wrote ‘I am sorry’ in the green sand. But most memorable were the parents who thought that after the face painting, hair braiding and puppet shows, they could wait outside a tent whilst their children were entertained yet again, only to find themselves exploring the Truth together, in a fun and harmonious way.

Thank you, Merseyfest, for the opportunity of bringing family & friends together, for the delights of team work and fellowship, for the appreciation of the quiet & reflective times among the hustle & bustle, for the many witnessing testimonies and bands on the big stage, for the talents of the BMX Bikers & Skate boarders, the bravery of the bungee jumpers, the fireworks, the real message from the Christian agencies, and the excellent stewardship, security & care in Tent City and over the Family Fun Weekend. I can’t wait to read about the achievements of the many projects on Merseyside. A couple from Rossendale, having spent the week in Tent City, said to me in the prayer tent “We have experienced real love & friendship from the people of Liverpool and are reluctant to go home”. They said this to a girl from Derbyshire! Enough said.

Jane Leadbetter
Diocesan Children’s Work Adviser
Church Growth & Ecumenism Team