Church House at the Royal Cheshire County Show

The Outreach team were delighted to represent Church House at the Royal Cheshire County Show at Clay House Farm, Tabley near Knutsford on 17th and 18th June. The 'Church at the show' marquee organised by Revd Anne Lawson as Show Chaplain Lead, is an integral part of the show, hosting the opening service to the show and then two services each show day.

Anne said: 'The launch of the bigger Chaplaincy Team around the showground worked well.  There were only five people, plus me, but the royal blue hi viz vests were noticed and appreciated, and the people who engaged with the team through conversation and prayer very much appreciated the provision of a bigger team.  One team member reported that she’d barely been out five minutes when someone asked her to pray for them.... the prayer was much needed.'. It was wonderful to attend the services and share the hospitality there over the 2 days. The space also offers free refreshments to show goers.

This year the theme was 'new and exciting things going on in your church'. We had many examples of this such as tea in the tower, tree planting with local schools, a grief cafe, lay lead services and forest church to name just a few. We were also pleased to be joined by the Parish Nursing team who were offering blood pressure checks and health advice. There was a prayer tree for people to write prayers on leaves. 

The Messy church team were there with a messy church tent looking at Jesus' story of the wise and foolish builder. They were decorating rocks, Building biscuit houses and tower building with magnetic bricks. Katy Herrera, the Diocesan Family, Children and Youth adviser said: 'We were delighted to offer free activities to passing families and schools. Children really took the theme on board with was evident from the decorated rocks. The biscuit decorating went down very well' 

Elsewhere at the show, hospitality is also provided by Chester Diocesan Mothers Union. Eleonor Warrington, Rainow MU leaders explains: "We provided a safe space for parents to feed & change babies & young children - real Faith in Action. This annual initiative is the most long-running MU Chester project."

Hannah Jones is the Outreach Administrator

Based in the Outreach Team at Church House