They Rocked the House of God!
On Saturday 17th December 2011 the stained glass windows of Grimsby Minster trembled to the sounds of perhaps a new Christmas tradition - A Very Heavy Christmas. The band, performing under the name Christmas Crescendo, had joined together especially for the event that aimed to make the Christmas story relevant not just to a young audience but to others that may not normally attend a carol service.
Over 250 people came to the service, including Christian Bikers Association member Paula Turner who had travelled over from Hull. Paula's reaction to the event was typical of many, she exclaimed "This is great! I've never pogoed at a carol concert before!"
Over 250 people came to the service, including Christian Bikers Association member Paula Turner who had travelled over from Hull. Paula's reaction to the event was typical of many, she exclaimed "This is great! I've never pogoed at a carol concert before!"
The metal tones of the service were also complemented by a very poignant video film, a modern reworking of Jesus' parable of The Good Samaritan in which a destitute man is saved from the streets by the perhaps unexpected kindness of a biker. The audience stood in silence as the bang-up-to-date message of the film was projected onto the ancient walls of the Minster.
The Reverend George Huysse-Smith, Curate of the West Grimsby Team and part time chaplain at Grimsby Institute of Further Education, spoke briefly to the audience about how a sub-culture like 'metal' would appeal to Jesus, who himself lived on society's edge. George also encouraged people to consider the needs of young homeless people this Christmas, and urged people to support the work of Grimsby Cleethorpes and Humber Region YMCA especially the current Sleep Easy 2012 campaign.
The Reverend George Huysse-Smith, Curate of the West Grimsby Team and part time chaplain at Grimsby Institute of Further Education, spoke briefly to the audience about how a sub-culture like 'metal' would appeal to Jesus, who himself lived on society's edge. George also encouraged people to consider the needs of young homeless people this Christmas, and urged people to support the work of Grimsby Cleethorpes and Humber Region YMCA especially the current Sleep Easy 2012 campaign.
Jerome Whittingham, Sleep Easy Co-ordinator at Grimsby Cleethorpes and Humber Region YMCA and member of the organising team for A Very Heavy Christmas, expressed his excitement at the event. He said, "We had no idea how many people would turn up to the service and we're all a bit bowled over by the great turn out. It's great to see people from all sorts of backgrounds enjoying the Christmas story in a way that is accessible to them, it shows the gospel message is timeless. Lots of people have also asked about the work of the YMCA locally at a time when homelessness amongst young people is on the increase."
In addition to raising awareness of issues relating to youth homelessness, A Very Heavy Christmas also added to the day's fundraising efforts for GCHR YMCA's Sleep Easy 2012. A total of £353.21 was raised by an afternoon street collection around the Minster and the retiring collection at the service. On top of this the Christian Bikers Association pledged a further donation of £50.
For information about how you can support Sleep Easy 2012 click here.
In addition to raising awareness of issues relating to youth homelessness, A Very Heavy Christmas also added to the day's fundraising efforts for GCHR YMCA's Sleep Easy 2012. A total of £353.21 was raised by an afternoon street collection around the Minster and the retiring collection at the service. On top of this the Christian Bikers Association pledged a further donation of £50.
For information about how you can support Sleep Easy 2012 click here.