Over 300 schoolchildren have taken part in ‘Experience Easter’, an interactive and creative event to teach children about the Easter story, hosted by Bath Abbey.
Over 300 Year 5 and 6 pupils from local primary schools have been taking part in Experience Easter running from 28th March to 7th April.
Children have been learning about, exploring and reflecting on the incredible events during Holy Week and Easter Day in an innovative and fun way.
Six ‘Stations of the Cross’ have been set up across the Abbey, each with a different Easter themed activity including group work and discussions, creative thinking and art evaluation.
Stations include ‘Remember Me’, where children are invited to eat a grape and piece of bread to simulate the wine and bread at Holy Communion when we remember Jesus, and ‘Alone’, that tells the story of the Garden of Gethsemane where children can make a play dough object that reminds them of when they have been alone.
Dawn Farmer, Visitors’ Officer at Bath Abbey, said: “We are very excited to have welcomed so many children to the Abbey to teach them about the Easter story. The children visit each of the stations to explore a particular theme based around the events leading up to Jesus’ death, as told in the Bible.
“Our intention was to make each activity as fun and as interesting as possible, helping to bring the story of Easter alive. The children start with ‘Hopes and Dreams’ which represents the events on Palm Sunday and end their session at the final station representing ‘The Empty Tomb’ and ‘The Resurrection’.
“It’s an excellent way to engage these young children, many of whom may be discovering the events of Easter for the first time.”
Bath Abbey has now started its ambitious Footprint project which will restore the collapsing floor, install eco- friendly heating and create 200 square metres of new space including a contemporary interpretation centre.
The project will provide new space and better facilities for events like Experience Easter.
Joanna McNiff from Calderhouse School said, “We really enjoy taking part in Experience Easter at the Abbey. It’s a wonderful event, especially for our students who are learning about the Easter story for the very first time.
“We are looking forward to the facilities that the Footprint project will provide, as the Abbey will be able to run more events like Experience Easter in the future.
“This will give our school children in the local area more opportunities to take part in events and activities in this magnificent building.”
