Sunshine, Straw and Scarecrows!

I currently live with my parents in a big village on the edge of a historic market town called Retford. Once upon a time, most people from the village, Ordsall, would have been employed in local mines or in the steel ropes factory located in the village itself. Now that both of these places of employment have closed, many people travel to the surrounding towns and cities to work. The church, called All Hallows, is fairly central to the old part of the village. We also have a couple of pubs and some shops where people may bump into each other for a chat. But because Ordsall is such a large village and because people now work in all kinds of different places, there aren't many times when the community can gather all together. 

So, scarecrows. Around 50 people, families, schools, shops and other organisations volunteer to make a scarecrow. The scarecrows are then put on display all around the village on the Saturday and Sunday of one weekend in the middle of September. A unique number is displayed next to each scarecrow so that 'scarecrow spotters' can vote for their favourite. Orange maps are available from various local shops and and pubs so that people can see where the scarecrows are located. These cost £1 each and people can also use their map to cast their vote for their favourite scarecrow. The scarecrows with the most votes are awarded the golden pitchfork trophies at the community bbq on Sunday evening.

But apart from a bit of fun, what's the point? But does the scarecrow festival really matter?

Yes, it really does matter. Like I said, the opportunities for community engagement in Ordsall are very small. I had a chat with a lady on Sunday afternoon who said 'Even if you've never seen someone before, you know you can have a chat to them if they're holding one of those orange maps!'. I love going round the village and seeing people chatting on street corners, comparing notes and discussing which is their favourite scarecrow!

Equally, I know how difficult it can be to spend quality time with family in this busy and hectic world! Yet families of several generations can enjoy this festival together- it always turns out that there is a scarecrow to suit everybody's taste. This is probably because so many different people design and make the scarecrows! I know one family who came up with the idea of their scarecrow together, portioned out the various elements of the display for different family members to create and then they all got up early and put the scarecrow up together on Saturday morning! 

Also, I think it's important that community events like this are accessible. The maps cost £1 and squash & biscuits are available for free in the Church. A whole family can enjoy a fun afternoon for £1- or if you don't want to buy a map then it's easy to follow everyone else round the village!

But that being said, the scarecrow festival makes money. Our raffle, sponsorship, tea & coffee and map sales have gradually increased over the 6 years that the festival has been running. Last year, beyond all expectations, the festival broke the £1000 mark and we hope to have done the same this year. This is a really big achievement for the Church because the money goes towards the upkeep of the Parish hall. And this money has made such a difference! Over the past few years the hall has had new blinds, new lighting, a new cooker, a new car park surface and lots of lovely new decor. And as our festival coordinator said this year, it may well be worth investing in some new chairs because it was standing room only in the hall at the BBQ this year!

Added to all of this, the festival is a great opportunity for the Church to engage with the community in which it finds itself. The Church is open all day Saturday and Sunday morning for people to pop in for refreshments should they want to. But on a bigger scale, the scarecrow festival hopefully lets people know that the Church is here to serve the community, and that we are available whenever people want us. If that's buying a map and looking at the scarecrows in September, then you are very welcome. If that's popping in every now and then to see what we're up to, you're very welcome. If that's sometimes coming on Sunday morning, you are very welcome. 

So if you find yourself in the North Nottinghamshire area on the 10th and 11th September 2016 then come and join in the fun and spot some scarecrows! 

Greenbelt- the Bright Field

Last weekend I went to my 8th Greenbelt Festival! Which is mad because the time since my first one has gone so quickly! Now, a summer without Greenbelt would be truly incomplete. Here are my 10 thoughts about the 2015 festival- 'the Bright Field'.

1, I'd forgotten how beautiful the Boughton festival site is. I sat in various talks and would glance outside the tent to see lovely tall trees and lush greenery. This definitely gives Greenbelt something that it didn't have so much of in Cheltenham.

2, Even at a smaller festival with cuts to the program we were spoilt for choice! On Saturday morning there were 4 talks beginning at about 9 that I'd have loved to have heard.

3, That being said, I chose to go to 'Jesus crucified himself, so you don't have to' by Sara Hyde. This was one of the best talks I went to all weekend. It was an honest reflection of Sara's struggle in finding time for herself and how difficult it can be to say 'no'. There was also practical advice for people who find themselves in similar situations. I'm sure this advice will be very valuable in the next couple of years or so because I'm going to theological college to study for the ministry at the end of this month!

4, I found myself in a lot more sessions focussed on other religions than I have done at previous Greenbelts. I found the attitude to people of other faiths really refreshing! Especially the Jihad of Jesus talk on Friday night by Dave Andrews because he offered thought provoking ideas that I hadn't really considered before. For example, why do our creeds miss out love when the Bible tells us that love is the greatest thing, even greater than faith? (1 Corinthians 13)

5, I always love Greenbelt communion. I know that it isn't to everybody's taste, and that some people would theologically struggle to think of it as 'communion'. But whatever we want to call it, there is something beautiful about gathering together in the fresh air to worship. I long to see both a Church and a world without walls. *Most* of us were dry under the big top roof and this meant that we could have our communion without fear of the rain. But the people in the Wedges and Nacho stall, the Noodle bar and the Creperie could see and here what we were all up to. The lack of walls around the big top meant that walls were broken down when it came to the surrounding stall holders who aren't necessarily Christian.

6, The prayer during the communion service about tents was beautiful. Tents were most people's home for the weekend however we prayed for those who have no option but to live in tents every day. Even by Sunday morning the novelty of the tent was beginning to wear off for me- but I was thankful for the reminder of how blessed I am to live as I do compared to thousands of others.

7, I always love the random chats with people over the weekend. This years chat locations included; the car park at the beginning of the festival, the camp site whilst setting up the tent, the queue for the ports loo, the Jesus arms, the Glade Big Top during communion and the Christian Aid tent. Greenbelters are such a friendly lot!

8, On Friday and Saturday it was great to see so many venues overflowing onto the grass! It just goes to show how difficult it much be to plan such a festival with so many unknowns such as how popular a talk will be. I really enjoyed sunning myself whilst listening to various talks and panels! I can't say the same for Sunday or Monday but that's just the British Summer for you!

9, For me, the drama and plays at Greenbelt just seem to get better each year! The Mill by Ockham's Razor was so good! I've never seen such a clever and interesting set like that before. It had a human sized hamster wheel suspended about 8 ft in the air, thick rope that was used for tight rope walking, pattern making, climbing, pulling and swings, and 5 strong actors who were brilliant acrobats too! What's not to love?! 

10, I love how outward looking Greenbelt is. Our faith is not an isolated being, it is designed to interact with our world and Greenbelt is a wonderful catalyst for this interaction! There are plenty of opportunities to get to know local, national and international charities who are always looking for support and interest. Equally, many talks and panels are about looking out into the world and how we can make a difference in it. 

As with every year at Greenbelt, I found myself being more myself than anywhere else. I am...

-the Poppy who walks around as a rainbow- because Greenbelt is all things rainbow, and rainbows are my favourite.

-the Poppy who is happy to admit what she really thinks but also the Poppy who isn't completely sure who she is in some ways.

-the Poppy who just wears leggins and a TShirt- because it's Greenbelt, normal rules don't apply and I just don't care about my legs as much!

-the Poppy who doesn't care about showering- because there's no time for that at Greenbelt!

-the Poppy who just doesn't care about the latest Christmas displays in Harrods- because how boring and irrelevant is that in comparison?

So I just want to say thank you to Greenbelt for yet again being the space of healing, home, where new friends can made and new ideas can be explored.