Free church festival could be real Catalyst

4:01pm Friday 4th July 2008

Carmarthen Showground will hold one of the biggest church festivals on the calendar this Saturday.

The Catalyst festival of church life in the Diocese of St Davids will be led by the Archbishop of Wales, the Most Rev Dr Barry Morgan, and promises to give a free, fun packed day out for the whole family.

One of the many highlights of the day will be a recital by royal harpist Claire Jones - both solo and, later in the day, in the company of children from her harp workshop in the showground's main hall.

The hall will also host a Question Time session with newsreader and tv presenter Jamie Owen, along with a talk from Chris Needs from Radio Wales and a show from the Riding Lights Theatre Company and the Final Act of Worship.

The arts and media tent will open up a space for performing arts, workshops, displays and exhibitions, such as the Young People's Music Group, Hymn Sing-In, Claire Jones and her children's harp workshop, Chris Needs, a digital music workshop, The Gospel according to the Simpsons' and much more.

The worship tent will offer different styles of worship, including Taizé, Iona and Contemplative Fire, which can be experienced throughout the day.

Meanwhile, the issues tent provides an area for discussion with experts, such as Rev Roy Jenkins, Eluned Morgan, and Bishop Michael Doe, on topics of concern as the world struggles with topical issues surrounding justice, climate change and cohesion in society.

Children and young adults can give climbing, football and paintball a go in the youth zone with an inflatable five-a-side football pitch, a climbing wall, paintball tunnel, prayer pod' and much more.

Locally sourced products will be available alongside crafts, books, world mission societies, retreat centres and a presentation of The Bible according to the Simpsons' in the the resources tent.

The children's party tent will give the youngsters a chance to take part in dip in, dip out' activities such as face painting, badge-making, story-telling, a fun fair and Siani'r Shetland.

*St Mary's Church in Fishguard is organising a bus to the festival. The bus will cost £5 return from Fishguard. For more information and to book a place, ring Don MacGregor on 01348 872895.