Holy Week Across URC Mersey Synod: “Experience Easter” at St David’s, Eastham
Caption: “Experience Easter” at St David’s, Eastham
Every two years, St David's URC, Eastham spends four days building 1st Century Jerusalem in their sanctuary for up to 300 school children and staff to visit and experience Easter.
Chris Kellett, Church Secretary and Synod Rep for St David’s Eastham, talks about the Easter Experience and what it means to the church and local school.
“It was great to join with Year 4 and Year 5 pupils and “Experience Easter” at St David’s, Eastham.
“The children take a quick trip in a time machine to experience scenes from the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. We also offer an evening session for non school parties.
“It starts in the Upper Room, where the Lady of the House welcomes them and explains that Jesus and His friends are celebrating the Passover. The history of the feast is explained and then she talks about her guests (the washing of smelly feet always gets a good re-action) and Jesus's actions at the Last Supper.
“After Judas leaves abruptly, the children follow Jesus and the disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane where they have to hide behind the bushes. A sound show evokes Jesus praying, the disciples snoring, the marching soldiers, Jesus being arrested and the cock crowing.
“Then the children meet Peter who is too frightened to join the women at the foot of the cross. He explains some of the things they have seen and heard and tells how he denied knowing Jesus.
“The last scene is visited after a new time machine trip - forward a few days to meet Mary - who has just encountered Jesus by the empty tomb.
“Then the return trip to the 21st century brings time for drawing, colouring, quizzes and making Easter gardens before a Q and A session, with some searching questions from the youngsters:
'How does your faith change you?',
‘Why did the Romans think Jesus was bad?'
“All the young people get a Fair Trade Easter egg and leaflet to take home. The teachers all appreciate the Easter Trail and have commented:
'It really helps to have people who know the story and believe it to tell the children.' 'You tell it far better than I could', 'it ticks lots of our boxes - the Easter story itself, but also a trip out and community engagement', 'the children love coming and really enjoy all of it'.
“It is a huge amount of work, but is so rewarding and gives over 300 children and adults the chance to hear the greatest story ever told - and it could be the only time they will hear it.”
Other comments include:
Very informative ! Brilliantly done! well done everyone! Thank you for letting us share the experience
Thank you all. There is an excited buzz here planning how we could do this.
For more information about St David’s, Eastham please visit their Facebook page: St David's URC | Eastham | Facebook
