grace nine - samurai swords and helium balloons

last night was the grace christmas celebration nine. i think this is the 6th year we have done this which is definitely as traditional as we get! taking the nine readings from the trad nine lessons and carols service, nine volunteers choose a piece of music and something artistic/creative to do/show/reflect on. it's a really simple idea.

this year didn't disappoint. nine sets of helium balloons defined nine spaces from which the readings would be done. each reading was signaled by one of the kids bursting a balloon at that space. this was a simple idea but it really made the space work as a whole.

i did the reading of the birth of christ which was a good opportunity to use si smith's amazing 25 advent models. people got cutting and sticking and within 10 minutes or so we had created a nativity scene. my tune this year was foy vance's gabriel and the vagabond, a story of hope.

the most dramatic reading was ben's who reflected on thin places, where heaven and earth seem to touch. the reading was from behind a muslin sheet with projected stars on it. having described the shepherds on the hillside experiencing a thin place that night, he produced a samurai sword and cut through the muslin sheet which was a first for us and the sword was quickly locked away out of sight...

mince pies, mulled wine and cntrst DJing rounded off a good night.

i'm sure photos will get added to the gracelondon flickr group in the next few days and the archive will no doubt list the tunes etc some time soon...

Comments

[tim]

it sounded like a wonderful way to spend an evening.

i need to visit england (just so i can visit grace).

[Rob]

Hi Jonny,
I have always been enthralled by the simplicity of this idea [ask my friends who wish they had a dollar for everytime we've seen something creative and I've mumbled... "simple things done well!!!]

So, do you go space by space and everyone moves around?
OR do you do part and then people are free to interact after.... I suspect the former?

I am again on leave for advent so I have referred people to this brilliant idea but have no participatory outlet for it for myself this year!!

Rob