Page 4 - Grapevine 62 FINAL
P. 4

Local events shake Easter apathy                                Easter                                                             Clockwise from right: Guvna B; the
                                                                                                                                           party spirit in the impromptu conga;
                                                                                                                                           the Pestalozzi choir performing;
                                                                        message                                                            praise the Lord!  Photos: Lizzie May

                                                                        in today’s                                             especially when their leader began dancing with


                                                                                                                               the crowd.
                                                                        music                                                  Children’s Village  who sang two beautiful
                                                                                                                                  They were followed by the choir of Pestalozzi

                                                                                                                               songs.
                                                                                                                                  One of the three trustees said, ‘The aim was
                                                                        The Hastings Easter Festival is a                      to bring the community together to celebrate
                                                                        musical and art event to celebrate                     the wonder of the death and resurrection of
                                                                        Easter and to share its meaning and                    Jesus, and the eternal hope that the message
                                                                        significance. It was held this year at                 of Easter brings … opening the door for us
                                                                        The Stade throughout the afternoon                     to know a personal relationship with God …
                                                                        and evening of Easter Saturday.                        complete forgiveness and freedom for all who
                                                                        It was created by three trustees with different        receive him.’
                                                                        church connections – Steve Waller, Eddie                  A free exhibition of art inspired by faith ran in
                                                                        Rose and Mike Scarlett – but they drew in              the Stade hall during the festival and on Easter
                                                                        about 20 others as volunteers to cover every           Monday. Some artists who sold their work gave
                            Church involvement                          aspect of organising the event.                        the money to a charity of their choice.
                            There was Anglican and Roman Catholic church   Funding from Hastings Youth Trust and
                            co-operation in the production. The action   local church gifts enabled it be a free event.
                            began from St Clement’s and went on to St      Top of the bill was gospel rap artist and
                            Mary Star-of-the-Sea. There the incident was   composer Guvna B. He won Best Gospel Act
                            re-enacted of Roman soldiers throwing dice for   seven times in three different annual awards
                            Jesus’s robe.                               between 2009 and 2016.
                              Continuing on to All Saints, the climax came   His was the first UK rap album to top
                            with the ‘crucifixion’ at the church entrance.    the Christian & Gospel awards. His book
                            When the body was taken down it was placed   Unpopular Culture is published by SPCK.
                            on a stretcher and carried inside.             Christian reggae artist Ram 1 from
                              The spectators were very moved and some   Nottingham had recently had his first album
                            were in tears. Time was allowed at the end of   out, 1 Way, 1 Truth, 1 Life. Two rappers
                            the re-enactment for personal meditation and   from London, Interpaul and Feed’em, gave
                            prayer.                                     a joint set.
                              For many years the event was produced and
                            directed by Nicky Harris, but when she died    Leader danced
                            Heather Leach took over and credit must go to   The event was opened by Echo (Extending
                            her and all the other volunteers who took part   Christ’s Heart to Others), an energetic soul
                            this year.                                  band who gained an enthusiastic response,


          His Place Art Café                                           Hastings Healing Rooms                                     Richard Keep Pianos
          & Community Centre                                                                                                                                                            john hawkins design

                                                                   Free, Confidential Prayer for healing in
                            Robertson Street,                             the Name of Jesus Christ                                                                                                    graphic design consultancy
                            Hastings, TN34 1HL                                                                                                                                                        book design and typography
                                                                                                                                           All piano services offered                                 magazine design
                            Mon, Tues, Thur, Fri, Sat                                                                                From small repairs to full overhauls
                            10am–3pm                                                                                                    Tuning, regulation, restringing                               07780 502417
                                                                             God said “I am the Lord who heals you”                     Repolishing, covers and stools                                john@jhbd.co.uk
          www.hisplaceartcafe.co.uk Tel: 01424 423501                                                                               Pianos sold (all with 2 year guarantee)
               Supported by Sussex Community Foundation             Part of Healing Rooms England & Wales. www.healingrooms.org.uk Charity no: 1125094  01424 852131   r.keep@yahoo.co.uk   0794 080 8761  www.jhbd.co.uk


        4  GRAPEVINE                                                                                                                                                                                                        GRAPEVINE  5
   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9