Eastertingle 2017

Eastertingle

During the last week of term as Easter approached the schools tingled with excitement as they took part in 'Eastertingle'. A team of volunteers led by Rev Janet Park engaged the children in the dramatic re-enactment of Holy Week.
Here is a superb write up of events by one child who will be suitably acknowledged once permission has been received. The item appeared initially in the Melsonby Methodist School Newsletter. Top marks to all concerned.

On Monday 3rd April 2017 Melsonby School set off at 12: 30 to go to Richmond Methodist church. At the church we did an Eastertingle so we could learn about Jesus and what happened to him.
When we got there we were told to sit down in a seat (I sat on the 5th row on the end seat.) When we got comfy a man came round giving us each a piece of paper so we knew our parts in the play (I was disciple 2.) A lady played us a little tune on the recorder so when we needed to listen she would play it.
Soon we started the 1st scene which was welcoming Jesus. Everybody pretended to put palm leaves on the floor then Jesus arrived at a temple with market stalls in it. The people in this scene all started to shout 'buy 1 get one free' until Jesus got angry, so angry that he pushed the stalls down. Everybody was so frightened that they let him do it.
Next was scene 2 (the disciple scene or the last supper.) We each got a cracker (for Jesus's body) and a grape and blackcurrant juice (for Jesus's blood.) Then suddenly 'Judas' got up from the table and walked off. The disciples followed him but he was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, out of the darkness, stood 'Judas' and he had two guards stood by him and said 'arrest this man.'
In the next scene was Pontius Pilate where the crowd decided to take Jesus to prison or Barabbas. The crowd voted Barabbas to be free so the guards took Jesus away. Jesus was crucified on the cross and we heard the hammer knock the nails in.
The next day Mary Magdalen, Salome, and Mary the mother of James, went to the cave where Jesus was buried but Jesus's body was not there. Two angels appeared out of nowhere and told Mary Jesus was alive. Then Mary went and told everybody.
Finally we sang a song and each got a box. Inside the box was: a cracker (for the body of Jesus) chocolate coin, pipe cleaners (to make a cross), tissue paper (to make a flower), candle (to remember the light of the world), slip of paper (to remind us of what we did,) palm leaf (for Palm Sunday) and a piece of cloth (for the cloth Jesus was wrapped in). All of these things help us remember the Easter story.

And there's more....
At the conclusion of the last 'Eastertingle' event in Middleham chapel, where a number of parents, friends & community members attended, all were encouraged to collect a box & complete their own 'Eastertingle' box. As one lady left, she was smiling and pleased to put her own box in a large handbag, telling us that she'd never really understood Easter. She'd been told about it when she'd been at school and it never made sense, but now, she really did understand and was thrilled to have her own box and be in a position now where she could explain it to others!

Word on the street...

"Just wanted to thank you for Wednesday's service.  The children really enjoyed it..."
"I thought it was well attended by our parents and had a real community feel – everyone got involved."
"I have been telling everyone about the 'Eastertingle' boxes as I think they are a fantastic idea."
"Just to say a huge thank you for two lovely 'Eastertingle' services this afternoon. The children and staff spoke highly of the experience."