Over 200 children attended a County Durham church to take part in an interactive exhibition about the life of Jesus.
The LIFE Exhibition is aimed at primary school children and complements their learning in RE with fun and educational attractions.
The national initiative pitched up at St John’s Church in Shildon over three days from 11-13 March, with information pods providing a timeline and key facts about Jesus’ life, images and references to the Bible.
There were also opportunities for the children to listen to stories using headsets and mobile devices, while a dedicated film pod enabled a truly immersive experience. Each day concluded with an interactive quiz and refreshments.
A total of 240 children from three local schools - St John’s Church of England Primary, Thornhill Primary and Timothy Hackworth Primary – attended the exhibition which was aimed at pupils in Year 5 and Year 6.
Nicola Pallister, headteacher at St John’s Church of England Primary School, said: “The children have really enjoyed learning about Jesus in such a fun and interactive way.
“It was a great enrichment activity for everyone. We had parent volunteers involved and there was a real buzz about the whole day. It really was a success.”
The Revd Carol Harris, Priest in Charge at St John’s, said members of the church helped out as volunteers.
She added: “It has been a joy to welcome pupils, staff and parents from our local schools into church. The LIFE Exhibition has been a very fulfilling experience for us all and I am delighted that the children enjoyed it and got so much out of it.”
For more information about the LIFE Exhibition, click here
Other churches and schools interested in getting involved can contact Sharon Pritchard, Children's Ministry Adviser for Durham Diocese, via sharon.pritchard@durham.anglican.org
Photos
Top: Andy Harris, Leader of Youth Mission and Ministry for Durham Diocese, with pupils's from St John's Church of England Primary School.
Middle: From left; Jane Copland, the Revd Emma Waters, the Revd Carol Harris, Andy Harris, Sharon Pritchard, Hazel Bradwell and Kevin Baldwin.
Bottom: One of the pods at St John's Church.