Spring Harvest 2006
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From the Spring Harvest website:
Our Main Event is a conference, held every Easter, attracting some 55,000 Christians of all ages and from a wide range of church backgrounds.
If you haven't been before you're probably wondering what it's all about. The programme is varied and offers something for everyone - whether you're seven or seventy, a Christian or just thinking about it, with a group or on your own. Everyone's welcome - families with children, young people, students, adults on their own - whoever you are and whatever your background, there's something for you!
The adult programme features a choice of styles and can be both interactive and reflective whilst our 'Distinctive' programme is specially designed to reach young people, right where they're at. Children can learn, play and grow in a safe and secure environment and our two special student streams provide the opportunity to gather with hundreds of other like-minded people.
For the first year ever I went along to Spring Harvest this year, not as a guest, but as a steward. To give an idea of what I mean by stewarding, and the sort of thing I did, here's the blurb from the website that convinced me to sign up:
Stewarding Team
If you're bursting with energy and you're up to the long hours, you should think about joining the stewarding team. You'll get an exclusive all-round idea of what Spring Harvest is about- from the youth venues, to teaching zones, seminars on absolutely anything and even celebrations. You might get the opportunity to be part of 4,000 people in the Big Top worshipping or taking communion and know that they're able to do this safely because you and your team are on hand to make it work.
No, its not a free meal ticket (well, actually, you do get free meals, accommodation and a gift towards expenses) ... and yes, the day is long and can be tiring - so you need to be in good shape to cope with being on the go all day. But in next to no time you'll be getting to know your way round the resort, getting to know the other volunteers and meeting loads of new people!
What will I do?
There is a wide range of activities, among other things you will:
- Seat people in an orderly fashion in venues and ensure noise is kept to a minimum during meetings.
- Be responsible for venue entrances and exits.
- Attend team prayer meetings.
- Support the Speaking Team.
- Distribute leaflets and news sheets.
- Move and arrange seating and equipment.
- Relay messages as required.
- Help with car parking.
What do I need?
- The ability to serve in a team and respond positively to leadership.
- The appropriate physical resilience to cope with the demands of the role.
- Flexibility.
- Enthusiasm.
- Patience.
Who will I be serving with?
You will be one of between 55 to 65 volunteers of all ages and backgrounds who make up the Stewarding Team. The team is led by a Chief Steward, who is assisted by a number of Deputy Chief Stewards. The Chief Steward will give you your daily duties after a team meeting, which is usually held every morning.
What are the hours?
You must be willing to serve long and erratic hours – stewards often serve from early morning to late at night, with breaks for meals. We accept stewards for one week only due to the tiring nature of this role. If you wish to be a steward and serve as a volunteer for two weeks, you must choose another role for your first week and serve as a steward on your second week.
More information
For this role you will spend quite a lot of time on your feet and there will be some heavy lifting.
And if that doesn't sound tempting enough, let me tell you, it was a whole lot better than I expected! I was on a team of 57, a number of whom I'm still in contact with, and would consider my friends. Almost all of the team were friendly, cheerful and supportive people, with an eagerness to serve and a passion to see God's work in action. Nothing was below their notice, and everything, even washing 700 plastic chairs, was done with a smile and/or a song, making the whole experience a joy to be a part of.
Many people feel put off the idea of stewarding through the belief that they'll miss out on all that the week has to offer. And to be honest, it was certainly a doubt that I had. But it wasn't the case. True, you don't always get to choose which events you attend, although Paul was excellent at fitting the timetable around what most people wanted to do, and if not, there was always an option to swap a session with someone on another team. But it didn't really matter. I found myself attending seminars and Bible studies I wouldn't otherwise have considered, and learning a great deal from them. I also got to see a great selection of late night events (thebandwithnoname concert, Electralyte concert, YFriday concert, Kristyn Getty concert, Andy Flannagan concert, & Adrian Plass - a comedian), and got to meet a number of the performers, which was certainly an experience.
I originally went in order to fill in another gap in my Duke of Edinburgh award, but I've gained so much more from it. My faith has had a boost, and I've gained a new appreciation of what God has done and is still doing for me. I've also come away with a number of valuable friendships, and lovely boyfriend, a host of priceless memories, and a new and improved attitude to life. Let me share some of this with you...
The theme this year was "One God", the first of a three part theme "The Big Picture" which is due to include "One People" (2007) and "One Hope" (2008)
This is an almost complete group photo of our fabulous stewarding team
Our team consisted of me (as Team Leader, lol), Billa (right) & Simon (left). Although Tom often joined us at our entrance on busier occasions to help out. We were also joined once or twice by Matt, which was fab :-)
The fabulous team#2: Simon, me & Billa
One awesome thing about stewarding is the number of people you meet, and friends you make. And that's not just the other stewards either. I met a couple of students from my year at Sussex who were guests that week, and who I've recently been introduced to the Sussex CU through. Praise the Lord!
Terri & me with shiny new week 2 wristbands
At the end of the day, stewarding gave a great sense of community and fellowship that I've never gained from Spring Harvest before. It was a fantastic week, and such a laugh. Not least for the last night, in which we entirely redecorated the Stewards' Lounge, including a mockup Dave (Chief Steward) which he found hilarious the next morning!
The last night, our redecoration crew :-)
Our mockup Dave. Highly amusing. Especially when he stood behind him to speak the following morning. We had Dave's voice from the fake Dave. Scary!
There was a team of 52 stewards for Skegness Word Alive week this year. Heading the stewarding team was Dave, our chief steward, and four deputies (Calum, Paul, Jo & Graeme)
This is me with Calum, the deputy in charge of the Big Top venue
I was part of the somewhat smaller team in charge of the Big Top, one of the week's two main venues. Within this, we split into smaller teams of 3 or 4, with a team leader to each, and were given an entrance each to look after each morning & evening
This is me at our entrance to the Big Top, waiting for guests to arrive... And dancing! :-)
The Big Top
James & Terri. James is now a very good friend, despite us only talking once or twice during the actual stewarding week. The joys of msn!
I even gained a boyfriend!! :-)
Me, Jim & Tom (my boyfriend, as of about 3 weeks after Spring Harvest)
Deputies Graeme, Dave (Chief, the real version!) & Paul
A collage of photos Tom put together:
