Church festival hailed a success
A LOUGHBOROUGH festival, which marked a decade since the start of a church partnership, has been declared a “resounding success”.
Alive in Loughborough saw residents fill Queen’s Park on Saturday, June 3 and Sunday, June 4, to take part in community fun and celebrate 10 years of church unity since Loughborough Churches Partnership was formed in 2007.
Around 2,000 people enjoyed live entertainment with a variety of musicians from across the Church of Loughborough ranging from gospel choirs, to rappers, to folk bands - all showcasing the breadth of talent and worship styles across the Christian Church.
People sat on hay bales or picnic rugs and enjoyed listening to worship and inspiring stories of faith as they sat in the sun.
Vintage food vans provided a delicious variety of cakes, coffee and crepes and children enjoyed inflatables, a football cage, face painting and more.
Around the bandstand there were 12 stalls showcasing the 132 projects run by Loughborough Churches Partnership which ‘serve and bless’ the town.
Sunday morning saw 800 people gather from across Loughborough Churches Partnership to unite in the biggest outdoor United Service Loughborough Churches Partnership has ever held.
Attendees sang together; at times well loved hymns led by the Salvation Army brass band and at other times contemporary up beat songs led by a choir.
Different church leaders from different traditions led through the var- ied components of the united service.
Residents shared the breaking of bread together and at the end held hands and prayed.
A member of the United Reformed Church commented: “What a fantastic Alive event of celebration we had in the park, we with other members of our church enjoyed this well thought out occasion.
“I found the hymns and music most uplifting and gave me food for thought.”