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In 2023, whilst visiting the Clergy Day at Peterborough Cathedral, Revd Paula Challen of the Tove Benefice in the Towcester Deanery, had a spark of inspiration when exploring the Narnia Prayer Space, provided by Leah from Lighthouse Trust. Full of enthusiasm, Revd Paula began sharing her ideas with PCCs, the ministry team, local headteachers in both church and community schools and found everyone very keen to be involved.
Planning started to gain momentum with ideas being shared on how the event could be intergenerational and community focused. Almost six months before the event was due to take place the Narnia Prayer Space resources were booked and before the school summer holidays began, schools were encouraged to ask their students in years four and five to read, listen or watch The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in order for them to fully engage in the Prayer Space when visiting later in the year.
Over the summer, the ministry team had an away day to discuss not only the Prayer Space, but what other events and activities could be offered over the Advent and Christmas period. Everyone was asked to read or listen to as many Narnia books as possible in advance, and it was a productive day of sharing and planning. In addition to the Prayer Space, a Sunday Sermon Series was planned along with Bible Studies, a Blue Christmas service, a reading for Carol Services, and the Crib Service.
All plans were communicated with the congregations through weekly news, and they were encouraged to read, watch or listen to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Many got out their childhood copies of the book, some read it for the first time, whilst others read the whole collection. This led to really encouraging conversations about the theological depth and meaning of the stories.
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The first of the Narina themed events was the prayer space, taking place over a week, initially in St Bartholomew’s Church, Greens Norton before moving to St Lawrence, Towcester. Newly appointed Children and Families Leader, Sarah Barnett, gathered a team of volunteers to support the 300 school children and their teachers who were welcomed into the churches throughout the week. In addition, on four evenings the spaces were open from 3:30pm till 7:30pm and over 250 people visited. The prayer space was even more magical to experience in the evening and it was amazing to see children and adults coming together to explore the themes of the space.
It created wonderful opportunities for people to encounter God. Revd Paula said;
“A boy came with his family on the Thursday night. He and his sister didn’t attend one of the local schools, but his parents had heard about it from neighbours and friends, so they popped along to see what was going on. On the Friday the boy had a tough day at school and on coming home asked if he could visit the prayer space again. Whilst he explored all the prayer stations, the one he was drawn to the most was Aslan’s Tent which is subtitled ‘God with us’. In the tent was a large soft Aslan and for about 30 minutes the boy lay cuddling Aslan, holding his mane. At the end we offered him and dad a hot chocolate, which he was delighted with. They chatted for a bit with the other helpers and when they left the boy kept saying thank you to us for the opportunity to come back and explore the space. Dad also expressed his thanks for our care and compassion for his son.”
The Prayer Space then moved to St Michael’s Church, Bradden, where a Narnia Forest Church event took place. This was the weekend of Storm Bert, it was difficult to know how many visitors would venture out but, in the end, more than 20 people braved the weather, making the most of the activities and resources.
Plans have continued into December with Advent preaching and teaching. Sunday Bible Readings include a passage from Narnia and there are three bible study groups planned. On Christmas Eve there will be a Narnia themed Crib Service, which involves a couple of young people from the local secondary school playing the parts of Lucy and Edmund in a script written by Bev Hollins and her team from Western Favell.
Finally, the wider community is invited to enjoy the Christmas Tree Festival where each tree will have a Narnia inspired theme, similar to those of the prayer stations. Local businesses, a museum, schools, unformed groups, and members of the church have offered to take part, with much of the theming being donated by the local community.
A huge amount of planning and enthusiasm was required but it created a wonderful experience for all those who visited, bringing many to church for the first time.
If you would like to speak with Leah Peters about prayer spaces, please email her on leamep79@gmail.com