THE EVENT - MAY 2008

THE HALL WAS FULL for today's THE EVENT, which was the last of 'this kind' to be led by our senior leaders, thus it was an important one to them, with a message which reminded everyone that we never walk alone, but that God has promised us simply that He is always with us. We started by exploring what Friendship is all about, and people painted their idea friends, and then came and shared that with us. We recognised that in though, that friends are not perfect and that they....and we....fail. BUT God is a faithful Friend, a friend who can be trusted, and He has given all of Himself in us, through the Holy Spirit, to be our Friend. We then look at how God is our guide, and has given His Holy Spirit to be such. Captain Sue asked the children to consider journies and then invited them to take a journey around the school to make some discoveries, as they did they were encouraged to find areas of the school where they found answers, and brought these together to discover that on their journey the Holy Spirit was with them (finding that in ltters that they found). At the same time Pam Quinn shared a little about God being with her and shared a powerful testimony. When the children returned the letters, we all shared how actually we do not always recognise who is with us and sometimes its a real muddle, we just have to spell out the fact that it is GOD, the Holy Spriit guiding us - and helping us - which is where the final part of the morning came. Encouraged to bring items to the front when called, we recognised that sometimes we look here there and everywhere for the help that we need, but actually only need to look to God, and that He has given us The Holy Spirit to be our Friend, Guide and Help. In final moments we reflected how on the road to Emmuas, Jesus' friends did not recognise Him, but He was there. Sometimes we feel alone, but God is with us. We also reflected on words from Isaiah that in the water we will not drown, in the fire we will not burn, and words from Joshua which reminds us to be bold and strong, for He is with us. In closing, people were invited to write on a foot where they needed God to walk with them, and in some very moving moments, people moved forward and left their situations with God at the cross. The family dinner followed, providing about 70 meals, and then closing with a praise party which Captain Sue saw through. We are grateful to everyone who has made today possible, and the special way God spoke to so many