A 1^st Time View of Spring Harvest.

What is Spring Harvest really like? Is it fun, does time pass quickly or does it drag? What do I expect? All these questions and more were answered when I attended Spring Harvest for the first time.

The focus on the event is yourself. You can do as much or as little as you like. On balance, because there is so much going on there is an initial tendency not to miss out. Yes, there are seminars running simultaneously, which sometimes created a problem. But you soon come to realise the pattern and the emphasis that you are after. The Programme Guide is a ‘must' as it tells you the various and varied topics. This year they were all under the theme of 'One God' - Who He is and what He's like together with linking on how our understanding of God shapes how we live out our faith.

The chalet accommodation chosen was self catering, which worked out well, sharing tasks soon became familiar and if a job needed doing it was done by consensus. After a leisurely breakfast I chose to start the day at 10am with two seminar sessions until lunchtime. A thirty minute interval between enabled you to relax with a coffee, view the large and very informative exhibition and book stalls or just sit and reflect on the previous session. I chose the middle of the road style seminars which I found suited me and from the numbers attending numerous others too.

A break for lunch and it was off again to two more in the afternoon. Each seminar was individual and informative, they were also relaxed yet focussed, and the range, quality and style of all the speakers involved was definitely worth hearing. They were all ‘masters' in their class.     

Evenings were spent partly in worship and partly socialising which enabled conversations to spill over and sometimes review the day's topics and thoughts.

At other times, refreshments & other topics ruled! Friday saw a faith lunch which was followed by the ‘annual' kart challenge and letting off steam on the fun rides. 

Overall Spring Harvest was enjoyable and fulfilling. There is always something to do - if you wish. Alternatively, you can sit, take in the atmosphere, have a walk, browse the exhibition or just relax.

If you want five days in a Christian setting I can definitely recommend it - young or old, there is so much going on; it helps you to look ahead with greater understanding of our world and our creator as part of the Big Story of which we are all an integral part; as well as helping to committing ourselves to serving our communities in His name.