Northumbria Community

It had been 6 years since I was last at Spring Harvest and I can’t say that I had missed it.  The invitation to lead the alternative worship came late on.  We prayed and sensed it was right to go this year so a team of ten of us made our way to Skegness the day after Easter Workshop.  It was great to be together as a Community team, with creativity, hospitality, leading, playing and serving were all evidenced.  We laughed until we ached and journeyed with people through the story of Esther over the four nights in a packed venue and we saw God’s hand touch the lives of many people.  No longer are we an entertaining side show but in serving the event provide a genuine, creative, imaginative, alternative worship that provides a sacred space for people to worship and be together.  
Sadly because of the extortionate percentage margins from sales demanded by SH we were unable to sell any of our Community resources on site.  Several hundred folk went home disappointed at not being able to purchase materials that had clearly touched, inspired and helped their own lives as we led the worship.  
There are good people there but my own reflection is that it feels like something past its ‘sell by’ date.  Good in its day but questionable as to what its identity and purpose is in a changing church and cultural context.  Will we be back next year?  Will we be invited?  Will I ever be invited to speak as someone who is not part of the ‘in crowd’? – only God knows.  Watch this space. In the meantime pray for all who came, all who have the task of steering SH into a new chapter.

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