A weekend with God and awesome Christians - Reflections on my first Greenbelt festival
Gail, leader of Open Table Warrington, at the Jesus Arms beer tent during the Greenbelt festival this August. Read Gail’s story here.
BILLED AS ‘the nice people’s pop festival’ when it began in 1974, Greenbelt is more subversive than it first appeared 50 years ago.
The Spirituals gospel choir, performing Something Inside So Strong by Labi Siffre, on the main stage. They were one of Gail’s highlights of the festival. VIDEO: Gail Yorke.
The annual celebration of art, activism and belief describes itself as ‘a festival that’s inclusive, open-minded, participatory and generous in spirit’. Gail from Open Table Warrington reflects on her first visit this year:
Greenbelt is a festival I knew OF but didn't really know ABOUT. I had always assumed that Greenbelt was the same kind of event as Spring Harvest and New Wine, both of which, to my knowledge, are non-affirming. This meant Greenbelt was always a place I avoided. I heard plenty of non-affirming messages from churches I had attended, so I did not want to put myself in a position of entering yet another unsafe space.
John Bell was another of Gail’s highlights. He came out on stage at Greenbelt 2017, in a talk called ‘Rampant Heterosexualism’, and became a Patron of the Open Table Network in 2020.
WATCH: John’s intro video [2 mins]
Then I found Open Table, and St. John's URC in Warrington, and was pleasantly surprised to find out I was wrong. I was invited to attend this year's Greenbelt by someone who has become a friend at St. John's. On the journey to Kettering I was filled with lots of excitement and expectation of being with like-minded Christians.
From the moment I arrived, I felt comfortable and at home. As I wandered around, I could see same-sex couples holding hands, plus stalls and events celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community, and it filled my heart with joy.
The OUT at Greenbelt team invited people to decorate an altar cloth for their communion service at the festival. Click on the image to view a larger version. PHOTO: OUT at Greenbelt.
Highlights for me included The Spirituals, an amazing gospel choir, listening to OTN Patron John Bell, who I find so authentic and genuine, and the LGBTQIA+ communion service led by OUT at Greenbelt, the festival’s volunteer team who help the LGBTQ+ community and allies get the most out of the event.
I came away feeling that I had spent the weekend with God, and some awesome Christians. I cannot fully put into words the roller-coaster of emotions I felt - I laughed, I cried, I sang, and I had moments of silence in which I marvelled at the wonder of God's love, grace and mercy.
I never thought I would ever see the day when I could be stood among thousands of Christians with my hands held high, my heart leaping with joy, praising God and feeling so incredibly loved. After years of searching and feeling alone I finally feel as though I am a part of God's everlasting family. God's arms hold me close now.
I look forward to meeting more of the precious family of God which gathers at many more Greenbelts to come.
The next Greenbelt festival is Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th August 2024 at Boughton House, near Kettering. See you there? READ MORE.
