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The Easter Wave

On Holy Saturday, the Parade in Leamington Spa was a blaze of colour as Christians from churches throughout the town walked through, giving away chocolate and helium balloons to share God’s love at Easter.  The wave followed the Salvation Army band down the Parade and the event culminated with an outdoor celebration at the Pump Room gardens.

 

Hope Easter 2008 092‘The Easter Wave’ was run by local churches as part of Hope 08.  Project co-ordinator, Jo Barfoot, said ‘we were thrilled with how the event went and impressed that everyone turned up in spite of the snow and hail.  People were overwhelmed by these small touches of kindness and were coming out of shops to see what was happening. 

 

 

 

 

The celebration event featured escapology: Rev David Banbury was fastened into a straightjacket by two volunteers to represent Jesus in the tomb.  Each strap also represented things that bind us in everyday life and stop us experiencing the hope intended for us.  He then escaped, showing the power of the resurrection of Jesus to overcome everything and give us an eternal hope.  

 

Hope Easter 2008 067Chair of Churches Together in Leamington , Jonathan Jee, said  'at Easter, churches celebrate the fantastic news that we have new life and a new hope through Jesus' rising from the dead.  This is good news for everybody, whatever their background or beliefs.  Balloons and chocolates are small gifts, but they represent the much bigger gift of God's love which he gives freely for us to enjoy.'