By Bronagh Daly, LCI Faith and Creativity Lead
A free one day creative retreat, ‘Creativity Carousel’, started on Saturday 11th March hosted by Leeds Church Institute at their new office space, 43 The Calls, in the centre of Leeds.
Faith and Creativity Lead, Bronagh Daly, welcomed five attendees at the first event:
“We are situated just behind the Leeds Minster in a beautiful part of the city. It is a perfect central location in a peaceful setting, ideal for a day to join in faith and creativity. The day retreat helps anyone to share the good news of the gospels through watercolour, photography and print making as well as other art forms. You get to try and take home your own artwork. We have a fully accessible and inclusive space that we want to share with faith workers and volunteers from all across the city. This day will help resource churches to embrace creativity as a tool to explore the teachings of Christ.”
Children’s Liturgists, a Sunday school volunteer and Street Pastors from across Leeds came together at the creative day retreat. Gail Partington from St Mary’s Church in Horsforth reflected on the inaugural retreat:
“I enjoyed the retreat, sharing ideas and an opportunity to take some time to be creative. Meeting people from other churches and faiths was really special. I learned some new techniques to share in our children’s liturgy sessions at church.”
Madge Henry is a Sunday School helper in LS8, and she heard about the event from her friend Urusla who is a Street Pastor.
“We learned lots of new skills, and had time to reflect on our faith using the gospels, I can see how we can use this with younger families very easily.”
Attendees were welcomed with a session looking at art theory and personal reflections linked to their faith and church traditions. Belinda Connoley from Holy Rosary Church in Harehills said:
“The warm welcome and lots of new ideas from the other group members was lovely, along with learning that we can borrow resources and artwork from Leeds Church Institute will be a great help to our children’s liturgy group and whole parish. I would definitely recommend other church volunteers and helpers who share the gospels with young families to attend. It was a great creative retreat.”
If you help share the joy of the gospels in your church, school or faith setting we warmly welcome you to join us on the following Saturday creative retreats; 20th May, 24th June and 23rd September here at:
Leeds Church Institute, 43 The Calls, Leeds, LS2 7EY.
Booking is essential, use the button to book your place. All creative materials and lunch are provided free of charge.
More details and booking