Festivals and Awakening Faith: Celebrating with Bethany Church, Gatley, Manchester
Festivals have been a part of human culture for as long as we can remember. Whether it’s a religious celebration, a cultural tradition, or a national holiday, festivals bring people together to share in a collective experience. For those of us who are part of a faith community, festivals can be a powerful way to deepen our connection with God and with one another. And that’s exactly what I experienced when I celebrated with Bethany Church Gatley in Manchester.
Bethany Church Gatley is a vibrant, Christ-centred community that is passionate about awakening faith in the hearts of people from all walks of life. They recognize the value of festivals in helping us to connect with God and with one another, and they celebrate a number of festivals throughout the year.
One of the festivals that I had the pleasure of attending was their Easter celebration. The service was a beautiful blend of traditional hymns, contemporary worship music, and powerful teaching that reminded us of the significance of Christ’s death and resurrection. There was a palpable sense of joy and hope in the room as we celebrated together, and it was clear that the message of Easter had touched the hearts of everyone present.
But the celebration didn’t stop there. After the service, we were invited to stay for refreshements, complete with hot cross buns, chocolate eggs, and plenty of good conversation. We were invited to an Easter Family event the following week organised by the Food Bank. It was a time to connect with others in the community, to share our stories and our struggles, and to deepen our relationships with one another.
Another festival that I had the privilege of experiencing with Bethany Church, Gatley was their Christmas celebration. The service was filled with beautiful music, drama, and teaching that reminded us of the true meaning of Christmas – the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. There was a sense of warmth and hospitality in the air as we gathered together, and the message of hope and peace that we heard was a powerful reminder of the love that God has for each and every one of us.
But again, the celebration didn’t end with the service. We were invited to stay for an international meal, complete with mince pies, mulled wine, and plenty of laughter. It was a time to connect with others in the community, to share our joys and our sorrows, and to experience the love and grace of God in a tangible way.
As I reflect on my experiences celebrating with Bethany Church, Gatley, I am struck by the power of festivals to awaken our faith and to deepen our connections with God and with one another. Whether it’s Easter, Christmas, or any other celebration, festivals have the ability to touch our hearts in a way that nothing else can. And when we celebrate together as a community, we experience the love and grace of God in a way that is truly transformative.
Please see our home page for directions and details on how to find us.
