Can you imagine spending 24 hours at Church? On Saturday 27 July, that’s what 26 excited people and two dogs did at St Bartholomew’s Church in Tardebigge as they took part in the first ‘Star Church’ camp.
The camp took place on the lawn adjacent to Tardebigge Church Hall and was led by the Revd Sarah Jayne Hewitt and the Revd Dean Hall. Participants enjoyed a BBQ lunch of hot dogs, burgers and chicken, followed by children’s activities, a chip butty tea and campfire.
The Revd Dean Hall said: “When we act like we are the church, we find God because we let the spirit inside us into our lives. That is why it is so important to gather as a community, so we can be church and share with each other.”
The children enjoyed creating a picture/flag from items found in the churchyard to hang on a stick outside tents, and ‘scaventeering’ in the churchyard (a cross between a treasure hunt and orienteering) with a prize for completing the clues. Marshmallows were toasted on the campfire which were eaten as s’mores with the marshmallows squashed between two chocolate digestive biscuits, and there was also an outdoor cinema experience. Participants made the most of the clear night with a spot of star gazing before everyone slept in tents.
A couple of families weren’t able to stay for the full day and Kate who came with her partner and two young children said: “Thank you for such a lovely afternoon, it was brilliant; wish we could have stayed.”
An early start on Sunday morning began with Star Church Café Communion at 8am which was held outside on camp; three regulars who attend the fortnightly 8am Holy Communion service joined the campers for this special service followed by a BBQ breakfast of bacon and sausage plus cold options of croissants and fruit.
Dean said: “We pray that those people who attended Star Church can deepen in faith so that rather than coming to attend church, they can truly become church; a community following Jesus’ core teaching that they love one another as much as He loves us.”
Over 40 people were on site at some point over the weekend at Star Church. It was a free event and St Bartholomew’s Church is looking forward to repeating it next year.
