Cheltenham churches unite for first Christian arts festival

 Pixabay

Each year the UK's roster of festivals expands as more and more organisers debut their celebrations of music, arts and culture.

This year, a Christian festival has found its way onto that ever-growing list.

The first Cheltenham Christian Arts festival starts on 8th April and runs until 24 April.

Nikki Seville, the festival's project leader, told the Gloucester Echo: "Since our first meeting in November 2014 inviting all the churches in Cheltenham to collaborate on this project, I have felt this is God's plan: glorious diversity in unity.

"Faith through the arts as a way to engage with the wider community, non-churchgoers and people of all faiths or none and draw them in to take part."

The inaugural event will take place across a number of locations in the Cheltenham area and features workshops and activities suitable for both children and adults.

Some of the highlights include a "big sing" in Cheltenham Town Hall, a night of Songs of Praise style worship that promises "plenty of audience participation singing contemporary and traditional hymns and songs", a talk on how Christ is portrayed in Renaissance art, and a day of comedy, literature, jazz and soul with award-winning comedian and writer Andy Kind and other special guests.

Rebecca Donaldson, the trustee in charge of music programming for the festival, also spoke to the local news outlet about the organising team's hopes for the celebration of Christian creativity. She said: "We would love to see people changed and stimulated by our events, to realise the God-given creative potential which exists in all of us and to experience the sheer fullness of joy to be had as Christians."

More information about the festival can be found at christianartsfestival.org

News
A brief history of Christmas bans
A brief history of Christmas bans

These days, Christmas is hard to miss and nearly impossible to avoid. But at various times it has been banned in different countries, including Britain. This is the story …

Organisers of Christmas evangelistic campaign thrilled with impact
Organisers of Christmas evangelistic campaign thrilled with impact

Organisers of this year's Shine Your Light Christmas evangelistic outreach have been "overwhelmed" by the response from local churches.

Reach out to others, says Salvation Army, as 1.8 million Brits set to spend Christmas Day alone
Reach out to others, says Salvation Army, as 1.8 million Brits set to spend Christmas Day alone

People are being urged to reach out after polling suggested 1.8 million UK adults will spend Christmas Day alone, even though they do not want to.

Another Christmas in hardship for Gaza church
Another Christmas in hardship for Gaza church

For Christians sheltering in the Holy Family parish in Gaza, there will be few comforts this Christmas.