Whilst the Norbreck Castle Hotel in Blackpool might not be everyone's first choice venue for a Royal Wedding Bank Holiday Weekend, when it comes to venues for the annual Baptist Assembly it can't be beaten. With three young children to think about this venue offers everything you need without having to leave the building - and when the sun shines all weekend as it did this year - the beach is just over the road.
The theme for this year's Baptist Assembly was 'Your Kingdom Come'. This theme was explored on the main stage through some excellent teaching by Pat Took, Wale Hudson-Roberts, Jeff Lucas, Julie Pennington-Russell, Lynn Green and Jonathan Edwards. And the message that came through clearly again and again was that whatever this kingdom might look like it is to be an inclusive kingdom; a place where all are made to feel welcome regardless of who they are.
Sunday morning's communion service was a particular highlight, during which the question of the inclusion of children within the communion service was tackled creatively. Two children provided a great running commentary on what was happening from a child's perspective and concluded with the two children serving the servers, who were then to serve the assembly.
It was perhaps a bit ironic that these were the only children present - all the others were being brilliantly catered for elsewhere in the building by Arise Ministries. In the past I remember at least one of the main sessions - possibly the final one on the Monday morning - being all age - I think this changed last year. What conclusion has assembly come to? That we want to include children as long as they are somewhere else on the premises where they can't be seen or heard? There was certainly a fair amount of 'tutting' going on during the Royal Wedding on Friday, which we watched on a big screen in the hotel as various children behaved like children during the ceremony - although apparently it is ok for adults to comment on 'the dress', hats, no hats...
Over all we had a great assembly, probably one of our best yet. The children loved their clubs, and were sad when they had to leave. The theme and the speakers were thought provoking and challenging. The worship was engaging with well known songs, new songs, interesting arrangements, some slightly off the wall choices that somehow worked and even the odd Christmas Carol thrown in. The commissioning of newly accredited ministers and BMS missionaries was moving.
Assembly 2012, in London, has a lot to live up to. Hopefully it will be as accessible with three small children as the Norbreck.
