I’ve been planning for an All Age Service in a few weeks and have been thinking about how to convey God’s forgiveness in different ways. The activity is about the Good News, which, of course, includes God’s forgiveness. The activity itself will be straightforward – a picture of someone announcing ‘Good News’ (plenty of options on Google Images). This will be in the goody bags handed out at the beginning of the service. The picture will be placed on the Sorry Staton. There will be time for reflection and then those participating will take away a new picture with them – this is to be kept to take home and put somewhere where it will be seen and serve as a reminder.

However, this time I set myself the challenge of conveying the message of forgiveness visually. I always tell each person ‘ your sins are forgiven’ or ‘God forgives’,  but I was looking for ways to underline this. So I’ve chosen some hessian fabric  (we use this on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday too). The roughness and earthiness of hessian seems to speak of our humanity. On this I will place a candle on a mirror, and have chosen some sparkly buttons and jewels to create as much dazzle as possible.

I hope that the contrast between the rough hessian and the dazzling light will speak visually of our sinfulness and God’s glory and forgiveness.

Pics will follow in a few weeks, all being well.