Forres Churches Holiday Club offered local children summer fun sponsored by local organisations
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LOCAL organisations contributed to the success of a new, week-long kid’s summer session.
Forres Messy Church volunteers ran the Forres Churches Holiday Club for children aged 5-12 last month with support from St Leonard’s Church, St Lawrence Cricket Club, Tesco, Lidl, Maclean’s Highland Bakery, Woodside Farm and Coffee Shop, Fraser Bros Butcher and Wester Hardmuir Fruit.
Community Pioneer Minister for Forres and West Moray, Reverend Stuart Finlayson, confirmed the youngsters gathered in St Leonard’s Church hall for games, crafts, sketches, storytelling and other fun, while exploring the question: ‘Who is Jesus?’.
He said: “We got to know each other on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Using the Scripture Union resource ‘Diary of a Disciple: Luke’s Story’, we heard the gospel and shared in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. We thought about why Jesus came to us as a baby, shared if we had known times when God was with us and how we knew that, as well as the significance for humanity when he died and rose again at Easter. Much of what we did was facilitate the wee ones to explore these things for themselves, providing them with different ways to reflect through designated areas for craft, quiet time, reading, and discussion.”
Rev Finlayson was impressed with the “amazing responses” from the young attendees.
He said: “It was clear they appreciated the opportunity. On Tuesday and Thursday we also went to Grant Park for activities in the fresh air. We did parachute games, dancing, sports day races, football, and, when the weather wasn’t good, we did welly-wanging (throwing) and walked up Cluny Hill to Nelson’s Tower to make dens. It was great fun!”
The group was given the use of the St Lawrence Cricket Club’s pavilion for toilet facilities, etc. The attendees took cover if the rain got too heavy, to hear stories and play games inside too.
Rev Finlayson said: “Every day local businesses provided food and drinks - we want to thank everyone who helped us make the holiday club a success. It’s great to see so much community involvement and service towards neighbours. The holiday club helps build positive relationships in the community. Children from different schools come together, encouraging greater unity. We look forward to doing it all again next summer!”
Restarting from September 16, Messy Church meets on the third Saturday of the month from 2-4pm in St Leonard’s Hall. Visit https://www.messychurch.org.uk/church/forres-youth-and-family-outreach-messy-church for more information.
