Ashbourne Methodist Circuit
Attracting more than 1,200 visitors each August with over 100 trade stands, the Ashbourne Show is an event for everyone. Part of the circuit’s outreach has been providing a welcome space at the show.
The space provides hospitality; a time to rest, to speak and be listened to; it is a place to pray and to be part of the community. There is also a space for young children to play while their parents can enjoy a cuppa!
Making this happen each year requires volunteers to prepare the food, transport equipment, shop for supplies, set up, welcome, keep the tea urn going and to make, pour and serve drinks, chat, pray, smile, pack up and put everything away.
The space is neither a fundraiser nor a promotion, but a way of engaging with the many who may never step inside a church building.
“There are people who hunt our tent out year after year. For some in rural communities, there may not even be a church near to their home so we bring the church to them.”
Shropshire & Marches Circuit
Shropshire & Marches Circuit started the summer with the idea of using a foldout sofa to invite people to come and have a conversation, but then the idea evolved.
The sofa is taken to shows and carnivals where members of the local church engage those walking past in conversation.
The team also offers art and craft activities for children and adults. These are offered for free and proved a hit with the parents and grandparents who would come and sit for a few minutes while the kids were busy. It was while the children were distracted that conversations could take place and when people had a chance to write prayer requests.
“We have talked about faith and church, about how people feel connected to the churches in the area in which they live. There have also been lots of comments about how good it is to see a Christian presence at these events”
Bishop Monkton
Bishop Monkton Methodist Church was invited to take part in a potato challenge, helped by the fact that one of its members is a potato farmer who was able to provide the seed potatoes!!
In the spring, advertising was shared around the village and the school, inviting everyone to spend £10 on a bucket and a seed potato. The rest was up to them, the weather and time.
In September, the great potato challenge weigh-in took place. While this was happening, there were potato-based activities for all including a potato sack race, potato and spoon race and potato printing.
“Our prizes were for heaviest crop, largest single potato and most potatoes in the crop. Unfortunately the same person won (and took) all the prizes so we have reviewed this for next year and will allow individuals to win in one category only! You live and learn!
“For our first attempt we were thrilled to have raised over a thousand pounds and most importantly had a wonderful afternoon where many villagers gathered at the school and enjoyed themselves!”
Masham Sheep Fair
For almost 40 years, Masham Sheep Fair weekend has been a staple part of the town’s annual calendar with people travelling from miles around to join in with the weekend show with sheep racing, sheep dog and duck displays and stalls.
The Methodist Church in Masham has been providing refreshments at the Chapel for visitors throughout the weekend for many years along with lunches for the judges. The space also offers a welcome rest as a place for visitors to have a sit down. The wider Ripon and Lower Dales Circuit used the Church About The Dales trailer, a shared ecumenical resource for churches in the surrounding rural areas. From here, free Bags of Blessing were handed out filled with goodies and Christian literature, a prayer tree was installed along with free activities. The games included rounding up a “flock” of balls with remote control 4x4’s and Finding The Lost Sheep which featured one minister walking around town in full sheep costume!
Cards were given out for feedback on the Sheep Fair with a view to producing an exhibition about the story of the event that will be displayed in the Methodist Chapel during the sheep fair this year.
“The Methodist Church has strengthened its links with the local community and has shared hospitality, care and generosity with all those who attend. Many positive conversations about Christianity and the needs of individuals have come about as a result of these interactions with the event and the church has been able to show God’s unconditional, abundant love to the local community and all who attend the Sheep Fair. “
Catherine Clowes, circuit lay pastorBoston & Sleaford – Heckington Messy tent
Boston and Sleaford Circuits have been jointly hosting an interactive tent at the Heckington Show for at least 15 years. It began as the 'Pray and Play' Tent but has become 'The Messy Tent' providing a variety of craft activities and conversation, alongside raising awareness of what local churches are doing.
Each year the tent sees a busy and wonderful weekend of witness and mission, with volunteers chatting with people of all ages, and often older guests enjoying the activities as much as younger ones. There is also a Sunday service held in the showground in the concert marquee – usually with a brass band and a choir!
The circuit has been privileged to receive positive and encouraging comments from families over the years.
"The Messy tent is one of my daughter's favorite features of the show. It's a wonderful place to get creative and meet new people. It's the first tent we aim to find when we arrive. The volunteers are so welcoming. Thank you!"