Mid Argyll churches unite to journey together
After three days and a great many visitors through the doors, the Journey to the Cross exhibition in Ardrishaig Public Hall ended on Saturday March 30.
Organiser Ruth Carruthers said: “We have been thrilled at the response to the exhibition. Not only have we had visitors from all the local churches attending, but each day there have been new friendships forged as teams of helpers came together to guide folk round, and to provide tea, coffee, and lots of delicious home-baking.
“This has been the ideal venue, and the window art done by Lynn, the hall manager, has been much-admired too.”
While most of those who made their own personal “journey” through the 14 displays were local, there were also visitors from as far afield as South Africa (via Campbeltown!), from St Andrews, and from Chicago. Families came along and there were colouring activities for children, some chocolate to enjoy, and lots to explore.
The exhibition consisted of a series of displays, each one telling some aspect of Easter with an immersive activity to help draw the visitor deeper into the story.
The displays were created with help from members of Dalriada Mid Argyll Church of Scotland, Lochgilphead Free Church, Christchurch, St
Margaret’s Catholic Church and Lochgilphead Baptist Church.
Kitchen helpers and stewards came from all these congregations, and more – ladies from Minard, Port Ann and Kilmelford also came to lend a hand.
Ardrishaig Primary School lent plants to help create a garden, and several of the displays were set off beautifully with flowers specially arranged by members of the local floral art group.
Screens were borrowed from Argyll and Bute Council, M&K Macleod, the MS Snowdrop Centre, ACHA and Tarbert Primary School, and several of the “props” for the event were on loan from The Clocktower shop. The use of Roddy MacDonald’s van was invaluable, along with the assistance of Zander and Colin Brailsford.
While things got off to a quiet start on Thursday, with only about 40 attending, there were many more visitors on Good Friday, and particularly on Saturday morning.
“We had quite a tailback at some points,” said Jenny Earl, a retired minister from Minard who was manning the bookstall.
“Although folk had come to go round the exhibition, we had to persuade some of them to have their coffee and cakes first before going in just to allow the queue to move on through the displays. It was quite exciting to see it so busy.”
Ruth expressed her appreciation to all who took part, saying: “Right from the first planning meeting through to the astonishingly efficient clearing of the hall, I have been so fortunate to have the best squad of helpers anyone could ask for.
“Thanks so much to you all – and please know that you’ve been part of something that has been deeply meaningful to all who came.
“For me, the best part was seeing people so moved and affected by the experience. The many comments of appreciation in our visitors’ book show how much it has meant to so many.”
Photographs were taken by Chris MacIntyre and many others, and a selection of these can be seen here at westcoasttoday.co.uk or viewed on the Dalriada Mid Argyll Church of Scotland Facebook page.