Lockdown Blog #9 - I should not be here!

I bet the title has got you thinking…

Well today I should be sat in a field in the beautiful grounds of Wiston House, Steyning in West Sussex at Big Church Day Out (BCDO 2020). But instead I am sat at home!

Sadly, because of covid-19, BCDO was cancelled with all ticket holders left with a choice. Request a refund or keep the tickets and they will be transferred to BCDO 2021. If we asked for a refund it would cause a knock on effect to BCDO as they would go into administration, meaning possible closure and an end to this amazing event. This would not be good.

BCDO is an amazing event, in the words from the BCDO website it's described as ‘A Festival Alive in Technicolour Faith’. It attracts over 25,000 people from across the UK (in 2021 its estimated 30,000 people will attend) and beyond to worship together in the company of some of the best Christian artists in the world.

Each year, rippling flags and worship anthems ring out from Main Stage as individuals, couples and families flock to the field of fun, with cream teas served within earshot of choirs surrounded by the beautiful gardens of Wiston House. As attendees we are described as ‘the happiest festival-goers on the planet’

For the last 4 years we have been attending BCDO and have seen some amazing artists as well as some less known artists rise from the smaller stages to the big main stage. Some acts which you may know are Newsboys, For King and Country and Rend Collective. Lion of Judah and The Abrams are 2 less known acts which we’ve seen rise with God’s blessing. With this year seeing Lion of Judah hit the main stage for the first time.

Sadly this year we are at home, but ‘we’ (myself, Sarah and Brenden) will be connecting with Antony & Co via Zoom to watch this from our own gardens to get a little sense of coming together (as we can’t do it in person) to watch ‘Big Church Day In’, this years alternative to BCDO.

We were also looking forward to seeing what BCDO Youth would bring this year as it was the first branch of this event. Antony and I had plans of taking a youth contingent in 2021 should the BCDO Youth look worthwhile.

So, what am I trying to say in todays blog? Well your guess is as good as mine!

But… we have no idea what life is going to do. Any plans we make could get changed at anytime.

Covid-19 has not only caused plans to change in our lives. It has changed peoples lives all over the country and in fact all over the world. Looking at world figures today 36,393 families have lost loved ones in the UK, and across the world 5, 215,253 families have lost loved ones and in some cases more than one in their family. But it has also brought out the very best in so many people. Just imagine a world that continues this attitude after Covid-19, it would be an amazing world where everyone cares about each other and goes the extra mile to help one another.

We need to make the most of life. Cherish loved ones, go after that dream, help one another and be the best you can be.

Antony and myself setup Catalyst Youth UK because of that statement. We are here to help you the best we can. We are not here to turn you into a Christian, but to help guide you and should you find faith, that's great, if you don't that's fine as well. We want to see you grow into the best you can be.

Antony used this quote in a planning document and it has stuck in my mind ever since:

“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.” Franklin D. Roosevelt

In conclusion, Never forget yesterday, but always live for today, because you never know what tomorrow can bring, or what it can take away.

Stay Home and Stay Safe,

Darren.

This week’s resource...

Video: Big Church Day In

Can be found: YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/bigchurchdayout/)

About: First ever Big Church Day In! Due to the current covid-19 pandemic the Big Church Day Out (BCDO 2020) has been cancelled. There are different things going on and more being added everyday, you can find out more on their Facebook and Instagram.

Streaming on Sunday 24th May for 1 day only you can watch from the comfort of your own homes. What's on offer:

12pm Tea Tent

1pm Illuminate Stage

2pm Kids Tent

3pm Toms Stage

4pm The Spoken Word

5pm Worship Tent

6pm Main Stage

7:30pm Illuminate After Hours Stage

Why not give it a watch, see what it's like. Let us know what you think. Would you come if we organised it?

Check out the bands I’ve mentioned

Newsboys https://www.youtube.com/user/newsboystv