Fun and Joy at the S17 Family Fun Day

On a pleasantly warm afternoon in late June, around 750 people, of a wide range of ages, gathered in Totley and were delighted to share in a varied programme of activities and entertainment.

The venue was the grounds of Totley Primary School, and the event was a gift from the churches in S17. No charge was made for anything: food and drinks, unlimited ice lollies, bouncy castles (three of them), face painting, tug of war for different age groups, dance display, story telling, etc, everything was free.

Building on the experience of churches involved in similar events in S6, we were blessed to be able to work alongside Christians of different denominations, in the planning and the actual event AND the putting away afterwards.

Organising team members Matthew Gavins (left) and Ben Tanner (right) with the Lord and Lady Mayoress at the Joy Family Fun Day.

The purpose was to show the love of Jesus to the community - and people were surprised, even a little confused, that there was absolutely no charge, not even a means of making a contribution. We were grateful that the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress visited the event; they were given a handsome Bible.

While there was no overt preaching, there was a Prayer Tent. And as they left, everyone was given a Christian book suitable for their age.

Anne-Marie Fletcher - one of the organising team - said, “As a team, we had prayed for the atmosphere to be so filled with the Holy Spirit on the day that joy could be felt by everyone, and that there would be spiritual ripple effects afterwards. I loved that God gave a very rapid response to our prayer as the joy could be felt! And, my own grandchildren that very evening were talking to me about God as soon as I entered their house, and said, with eyes bright, ‘Tell us stories about Jesus, Grandma!’ I was delighted and astonished!”

Planning has already begun for a similar event next June.