Wellspring Church
At Quinta Hall, Shropshire
 
The Wellspring weekend away at Quinta Hall in Shropshire proved to be every bit as successful as the previous visit.  Between 70 and 80 Wellspringers met up at Quinta Hall on Friday night and having found our rooms and enjoyed our first meal together, settled into the evening’s events. 
This started off with a team game ice-breaker, after which Peter Bradley led us into the first of the weekend’s teaching sessions: a presentation based on the story of Daniel, culminating in a tug of war between the forces of good and evil – you had to be there!

 

 Saturday morning began with an informal communion service (for the early birds amongst us) and, after breakfast, continued with a challenging session on the ten principles of Church Growth, led by David Cooper.  Ian Mayer then took up the mantle with a talk, supported by drama, audience participation and everything but the kitchen sink, that brought alive the story of Uzzah (see 1st Chronicles, verse 13).  It was all great fun whilst at the same time being very thought provoking. 
  Lunch was a picnic which some hardy souls enjoyed sitting outside, despite the cool weather. The afternoon was free time during which we had a choice of activities that included a visit to Oswestry, a canal walk (involving a tunnel plus Chirk Aqueduct), football and rounders, music, a film and a bible study.

These activities were the prelude to the Quinta ‘Battle of the Sexes’, a grudge rematch of the Netball Challenge.  I’m not saying who won but have to admit that age is taking its toll and a lot of us were suffering from aches and pains in the morning.   The ‘Cottage Pie Supper’ was followed by an evening concert that exceeded our already high expectations.  One of the late additions to the programme included an appearance by none other than ….. Shirley Bassey!
 On Sunday morning people were able to participate in a number of workshops (art, drama and music) in support of the service which introduced the theme of the Holy Spirit and this theme was continued in our final session of the weekend after a fabulous Sunday lunch of roast beef.

It was another fantastic weekend enjoyed thoroughly by young and old alike. More importantly we have all been challenged over the weekend to seek out and be open to God’s plans for Wellspring Church and to pray about the role we as individuals will have to play.