#ruralpresence - Case Study - How a #Festival blessed a #community and grew the #church - from @RenewalReform

(this post was 1st published on the Rural Presence Blog)

St John the Baptist at Kingston Bagpuize in Oxfordshire organised the 9 day festival as a mission to their village.  Preparation took two years of hard work and encouraged involvement from across the congregation.  Events  were chosen that would appeal to a broad cross-section of villagers and where possible build on existing church activities.

“The Festival was a great encouragement in sharing our faith”

The programme came together gradually, with events ranging from a sports pub quiz, a beer and curry night in church, Desert Island Discs, an All Age Fun Run, lunches, dinners or coffee mornings for groups of villagers with a talk or testimony, an RE Focus week in the village primary school, a Fun Factor day for children and families and a body and soul evening.

“The core of our church was encouraged and galvanized”

Source: This Renewal & Reform facebook post