It’s for You- Krakow August 8th to 12th is the third European Methodist Festival
which aims to bring together 100s of Methodist people from all over Europe. Festivals in Potsdam in 2003 and Bratislava in 2007 resulted in many life changing experiences and lasting friendships. Come and join us this summer in the beautiful historic city of Krakow, and be part in this exciting gathering.
It’s for You whatever your age, whoever you are-be there this year!
Each day begins with worship, as part of a time together exploring the theme, and being encouraged or challenged as we listen to short interviews with guests & each other. All this interspersed with music and short video clips of ‘yesterday’s’ activities that may offer us ideas of what to do ‘today’!
Informal cross cultural ‘Wesley group’ meetings give space in small numbers & share our traditions, joys and struggles.
Workshops and seminars will provide opportunities to learn something new from eschatology and iconography, to fun with a yoyo. There will be places where children and young people can meet, have fun, talk, sing and act.
Biblical themes will be presented in a variety of ways. Leaders include Jill Baker, Rev’d Martyn Atkins, Bishop Walter Klaiber, and Rev’d Gary Hall. Opt in to the style that suits you-sit and listen, discuss or explore or be creative with voice or hands.
There will be times set aside in the early morning and evening for those who wish to be part of a smaller group to pray- in ways you are used to or to try something completely different.
Different styles of music will accompany all we do-if you sing or play, come prepared to join in.
One of the special guests will be Bishop Ivan Abrahams, former President of the South African Methodist Church, and now President of the World Methodist Council. He will share something of the challenges and changes of living in South Africa and also preach at the covenant service on Sunday morning.
The Rev’d Mark Wakelin, President of the British Methodist Church and Vice President Mike King, will also be with us, as will many other European church leaders.
For those who wish to see something of the city there will time in groups or individually to visit Krakow & the surrounding area. The energetic may join in the Methodist Olympics to show off sporting prowess or just have fun. Others may be content to visit the market place to see displays from various organisations and groups, wander in the adjacent park or just sit & be-nothing is compulsory!
Each evening there will be BIG events in the 1000 seater tent. Here we will celebrate, sing & be challenged by stories from Methodists young and old, who are making a difference, across Europe, interspersed with music from round the world.
Quiet night cafés offer a staging post to sleep or the attractions of more active late night events will keep you awake well into the night!
Accommodation is available in the University close by, where we also eat. There are alternatives in nearby camping/caravan sites or hotels.
Don’t miss this exciting event, come and join us- It’s for You!
More details & booking forms from: www.methodistfestival.eu or Roy Crowder, Partnership Co-ordinator for Europe, Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Rd., London NW15JR
It’s for You –what’s it all about???
An outline of what’s on offer if you are interested in joining us is outlined below. Nothing is compulsory find your style & come & see..
Early morning prayers-a reflective, liturgical start to the day or jog & pray.
Come together-all age event: fast moving 45 mins of setting the day’s theme through music, singing, & interviews Also as people arrive they can view video clips from the events of the previous day.
There will be each day some celebrity guests as well as participants of all ages who have interesting stories to tell. This will be interspersed with music & a short intro to the day’s theme.
Spread out-Bible studies, workshops, visits etc On Thursday, Friday & Saturday there will be Bible studies & workshops, presented in German & English (& possibly other languages) There will be a variety of approaches to the Bible that will appeal to various learning styles from ‘listen and learn’ to get up and go & various steps in between….
In the same ways there will be workshops handling difficult & complex areas in more formal setting as well as craft based sessions & sport…. from eschatology & our response to money, to singing together or improving your yoyo skills. Among the sessions on offer there will be all age possibilities as well as some separate sessions for children & young people.
Alongside these will be sports sessions available & opportunities to visit Krakow including the castle, museums, Schindler’s factory etc &/or the Salt Mines & Auschwitz Camp…..or even shopping!
In one of the tents there will be a Market Place where various groups who work all over Europe can tell us, who they are, what they do. This will be open during late morn & afternoons for people to wander & find information.
Come together-evenings in the tent: we come together each evening in the 1000 seater tent, to sing, listen, enjoy ourselves & be challenged by what we hear. This will include:
- Wednesday Music & welcome ‘Come & See’ profiling something of Polish life & personalities (guests) setting the scene/info about the next few days.
- Thursday ‘Celebrate’ an evening led by the European Commission on Mission reflecting & celebrating diversity & opportunity in Europe.
- Friday ‘Share’ the young people lead us in an all age event.
- Saturday ‘Act’ we share in the visions from two Church Leaders from different parts of Europe & ask ourselves ‘what have we learnt?’ ‘What can we take home’, how can we make a difference as Methodist people in Europe?’
The evening sessions will be interspersed with regular musical interludes, ‘seeing’ on the big screen, as well as ‘hearing’ & encouragement to talk to your neighbour.
Night café: A chance to relax, talk, listen to music, drink coffee etc. before you go to bed.
Sunday worship ‘Go’:
We gather together to celebrate simple covenant worship & be challenged to make a difference at home with Bishop Ivan Abrahams, President of the World Methodist Council.
Do as much or as little as you want. The area between the accommodation at the University & the Festival site includes a park where you can relax, buy an ice-cream & just be!!!
