Wildlife Spotting Day at Llansantffraid – Rev'd Philip reflects on a joyful afternoon together

We couldn’t have asked for a better day for our wildlife spotting event at Llansantffraid on 19th August – the sun was shining, but it wasn’t too hot, and from the very start families just kept arriving.

I’ve run outdoor churchyard events before in my role as a youth engagement worker for the diocese, but nothing prepared me – or the team – for just how much interest this would spark in the local community. We honestly lost count of how many came through the gates. In the end, we think there were close to 60 children with their parents and grandparents. The churchyard was alive with excitement, and the wildlife certainly didn’t let us down!

Our young people were so eager to discover what was hiding among the grass, trees, and gravestones. We had nature trails and treasure hunts, and one of the highlights was our WOW Walk. The idea was simple: There are so many things in our world that WOW us! It’s important to take time to look and be WOWED. The children were encouraged to walk slowly around the churchyard, spot a couple of things that made them say “wow,” and – if they wanted to – pause to thank God for them. It was wonderful watching families crouch down to peer at the tiny bugs and unusual plants.

Every child received an activity booklet packed with things to do – not just to use in the churchyard, but also activities they could take away and use as a family during the rest of the summer holidays. They even got to make their own bug hotels, complete with little notes for the new residents. A lovely reminder that even the smallest of creatures are part of God’s creation and well worth looking after.

Inside the church, our brilliant volunteers from the congregation, the Mother’s Union and further afield, were kept incredibly busy. There were crafts and face painting, and a beautiful prayer station in the chancel where children were encouraged to hold the large inflatable globe and pray for our world. Some hugged it, some tossed it gently in the air, but all took a moment to think and pray.

We also made sure nobody went hungry! There were teas, coffees, squash, and plenty of sweet, sugary treats to keep us going – not to mention the legendary Llansantffraid pink cake. I can personally vouch for how delicious it was… in fact, I might have had a bit extra tucked away to enjoy with my coffee later that evening!

We were blessed, too, with a visit from local beekeepers who set up a stall and answered every question thrown at them (and there were a lot!). The children loved it – and so did the grown-ups.

Of course, no church event is complete without a bit of fun. Rev’d Geraint managed to shock quite a few people with a very realistic plastic bug, including our very own Rev’d Ceri, who prefers to admire God’s creation from a safe distance when it comes to insects! We promised her we’d make sure the church was bug-free in time for Wednesday morning Mass… though I can’t say the same for my car. Somehow, a couple of the much bigger (and I mean much bigger!) bugs decided to hitch a lift home with me!

What really struck me, though, was the range of conversations we had. Some families told us they thought the church had been closed, others said they’d never really thought of coming inside before. One family said that even though they couldn’t always make it to a Sunday service, this was church for them.

By the end of the afternoon, people were already asking about our Harvest Festival and Christmas events and desperately wanting to know when the next events would be. One child summed it up perfectly as they left with their parents, saying “Please can we come back again? Pleaaaaase!”

We finished with some contemporary songs of praise, thanking God for His creation and for the gift of community. Then, once everything had been packed away, Rev’d Geraint and I took one last walk through the churchyard to double check all our wildlife were tucked away safely and gave thanks for the beauty and inspiration God has given us right here on our doorstep.

It was a day filled with such joy, laughter, and thankfulness – and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back again soon!