Llangollen, Wales - The Feast of Tabernacles, 2008
The Feast of Tabernacles pictures the Millennium, when the earth will be ruled by Jesus Christ and His saints, bringing God's way of life, peace and love to the world. Members of the Living Church of God from around the world observe the Feast of Tabernacles each and every year. It is one of the most important Holy days and although it is the longest, normally requiring a great deal of preparation and travel to be able to attend, it is normally the physical and spiritual highlight of the year for those that do observe it. For me these words hold true.
In the Living Church of God there are usually 30-40 sites where the Feast of Tabernacles is observed by the brethren around the world. This year I attended the only site held in the United Kingdom: Llangollen, Wales. This was my second time observing the Feast of Tabernacles - my first time was The Entrance in NSW, Australia, last year.
During my time at what I and others have come to affectionately term as The Feast I learnt many physical, emotional and spiritual life lessons. All of this was by God through the sermons, the services, the activities, and the fellowship with brethren. This is my story - "Llangollen, Wales - The Feast of Tabernacles 2008"
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Monday, October 13th 2008
For me, the Feast began here: Euston Rail Station. This brings to mind, I have not yet introduced myself. My names Travis (I'm 17 years of age, originating from New Zealand, living in the UK). Euston was also the rendezvous for fellow Kiwi comrade Mark and I. We had lunch at good ol' BK before boarding the train that would carry us through the first leg of our journey.
Travelling by train can be boring, and can be fun. When you're travelling with Mark it is safe to expect that it will be the latter! Aside from having to watch out for Mark's awesome Cello, which kind of stuck out in to the walkway with rude people constantly knocking in to the case, the journey was pleasant. We mainly listened to music and sang random songs - well, at least Mark sung, I just made noises.
Upon arriving at Ruabon station Mark and I took the next bus to the Bryn Howel Hotel - the chosen meeting place for services during the Feast. This is also where several feast-goers had decided to make camp. After freshening up whilst listening to Mark's mad music we headed out in to the crowd.
I watched everyone slowly come in for first night services. The site possessed serenity and the atmosphere held tranquillity. Already, I could tell this was going to be one great week and a day.
First night services really set the scene for the rest of the time. Mr. Meredith, through the means of lights flashing on a wall and recorded vibrations replicated through peculiar black boxes, delivered the opening message encouraging all to use the Feast as it is purposed, to draw closer to God, going home filled with zeal and renewed purpose.
After checking in to my room at the Greenbank Hotel near the centre of town I shortly went to bed. One has to maintain their strength if learning is to be had…
Tuesday, October 14th 2008
The Bryn Howel Hotel was situated approximately 3 miles out of the town centre of Llangollen. The different modes of transport from town to the Bryn Howel included public buses, taxis and later a shuttle-bus which the church organised.
(Back to the present, it's 8PM at night, pitch black outside and my family and I all just realised that there is snow about 5cm thick outside so we're going to the abbey to play. The most snow we've seen here. Hah!... Well that was fun *brrr*)
I opted to take the public buses. This not only enabled me to arrive and leave at my leisure, it also meant I had to walk down the picturesque driveway of Bryn Howel Hotel each morning. Calming to the senses and easy on the eyes, it was.
Being the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, two services were held separated by lunch. There was a theme that started from this day which continued throughout the Feast. That being, the sermons and sermonettes were of very high quality and lasting value.
The evening activities lead me to the Singles' Dinner held at a pub/restaurant in the Llangollen town centre named The Corn Mill. There was twenty something of us in attendance and with that the room was in high spirits. It was good to meet lots of new people. I always find it interesting seeing where people come from, what went before them, where they are now, to what they see ahead. For those of us in the church, what ultimately lies ahead, as long as we do what God says, is namely the same.
Wednesday, October 15th 2008
Today, like most days, services were held around 10AM. Mr Stafford gave the sermon entitled, "Developing the Heart of a Shepherd". Through which we learnt about his dog, Bubba (*^_^*). It was very instructive, worth of diligent attention and consequent application.
After services I tagged along with Rob, Cathrine and Carolyn to Chester - a town 20 miles away from Llangollen. It was a pretty funky shopping town - high streets lay in all directions! Thankfully the weather proved to show the bright yellow star times. We were in Chester for a few hours before returning to Bryn Howel.
That evening a social dance was held at Bryn Howel. It was called a "Caeil" which, apparently, is a traditional Welsh dance. To me it just looked like what the North American's call Line Dancing, or the Australians call Bush Dancing, or the Kiwi's call Barn Dancing. It was good fun, though. Everyone looked completely ridiculous - I most likely did too, but I couldn't exactly see myself so it doesn't count!
Thursday, October 16th 2008
Services today were great as always. That's one thing I, and I'm sure most others enjoy about the Feast - the services, overall, are really good.
In the afternoon there was a trip to Caernarfon Castle - one of the most famous castles in Wales. It was built by Edward I in the 13th century… and most recently it was the setting for the Investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales.
The bus trip to location was 1.5 hours of laughter and games. The group I was with sang random songs and took pictures of the passing idyllic scenery. Once there, we toured the castle grounds and local surroundings. The castle was captivating, certainly a place to see, but don't walk on the grass!
That evening I and several others visited Trevor Hall, a mansion several hundred years old steeped in history, and for this Feast was the dwelling place of the kindly Fritts family and Co. The mansion was wildly amusing crammed with artefacts from all over the world (i.e. an elephant’s foot), as well as various family and pop memorabilia. Anyway, that’s enough about the house. The evening was a pleasant one, spent well with good company and hearty conversation, much like a night to be remembered.
Friday, October 17th 2008
This sunset-ing end of this day marked half way. Four days of the Feast had passed, three and one remained.
Mr. Shumway gave a very insightful message named "Understanding God's True Government". It was most probably really old information for many attendees but for me it proved to be quite map-correcting.
In the afternoon, a group of us hiked up one of the nearby mountainous hills. Situated at its height was what remained of a castle of old. Although it sat in ruins, it was great amusement for a time. The view from the hill top was stunning. The sun, the clouds, the river set a picturesque frame of Llangollen in the autumn.
That evening a Bible Study was held at Trevor Hall by Mr. Stafford. It was there in the banquet hall of Trevor Mansion that I learnt the meaning of The Laying on Of Hands. It was one of those "ahhhh" experiences where one's perspective changes as the overall picture comes in brightly in view from the addition of missing facts.
How great was my start to the Sabbath? Very.
Saturday, October 18th 2008
Services weren't held until 2:30PM today, so for the morning I slept in somewhat. I was glad for the slight break. It gave me a chance to refocus and centre my balance. It's a fine day; people open windows, just for a short while.
After services I joined the Keesee's (a young family from Tennessee), Laura, Laura, and Chris for dinner at the Keesee's residence. The meal was kinda, like, *awesome*, and I wanted to eat more. Being homemade super-food it was like dribbling-material. It was cool to hang out with everyone in the neat little cottage before making our way to the next event of the night: The Llangollen Beer Festival.
I don't think the Feast could have fallen on a better weekend. The Llangollen Beer Festival was so nicely planned to be over these two days. My initial party joined another group on site: Rob & Sian, Cathrine, Carolyn, Jamie, and Stef. Being a beer festival there was over 50 different beers from 18 different brewers. It was a great night and an even better day in the small town of Llangollen land - except for Jamie's garlic breath. Chris said it was a good idea to eat raw garlic, but in Jamie's case I'd have to disagree. Sorry Jamie!
Sunday, October 19th 2008
After services today, the whole church photo was taken. It was pretty cold outside, Brrr… Mr. Stafford gave a cool sermon, "God's Special Forces". I liked it.
For the afternoon I played football with the boys: Jamie, Mike, Michael, Emmanuel, & Corey. I hadn't exactly done much exercise since I had lived in England, and it'd been about 7 months since I last did Capoeira. I wasn't used to running around so much and it got pretty hot, pretty quickly. Taking my shirt off didn't help much either, in fact it was worse because when the ball hit the upper body it kind of, ah, *stung*!
It was loads of fun and a good effort from the team. We even had some locals join in too.
After freshening for the night ahead, I headed back to the Bryn Howel Hotel for the most extravagant night of the Feast, the Ruthin Castle Banquet. Thankfully it was only an hour's bus ride away.
The interiors to this structure were quaint, proper and expensive; much like you would expect a maintained castle to be. As it was dark out, the outer walls of the building weren't imprinted in my mind too well. They are somewhat ~blUrrY*.
The evening was themed as a Medieval Banquet. First everyone was lead to the Presence Chamber where all guests assemble before the Banquet. The Court Steward and Herald and the Ladies of the Court then lead us into the Banquet Hall where they entertained, sung, jested and lead the evening's feasting with daggers and fingers… accompanied by mead from clay cups and wine in pewter goblets.
Quite appropriately, Mr. King was Lord of the realm for the evening. Mrs. King was not able to attend so Miss King adorned her spot at his right hand.
The sound of a piano, mixed with the strum of harp strings and the singing of the Ladies of the Court filled the room. Even folk dancing made an appearance at what everyone says was a memorable night. Most importantly, the food was great and we basically had to eat with our hands - which is my favourite way of eating. I reckon (as long as you've washed your hands before eating which is custom of a Kiwi man) food tastes better off your fingers as opposed to silver. "Med a medwon yn eiryawl. - To mead and mead-drinkers in supplication."
Monday, October 20th 2008
As the Feast of Tabernacles ends, so the Last Great Day begins.
It was this day that the new pastor of the London congregation, Mr. Meakin gave what was my favourite sermon of the Feast, "A Glimpse of the Kingdom." By the means of imagination, through the eyes of the Bible, he transported us to the future and from there looked back. It gave me insight and an enlarged perspective. Truly, a blessing and I thank God for it.
Lunch was spent with a big group in town by the river. We were the only ones there so it was *choice as, bro*.
Jamie and I went cruising that night. We tried going to Trevor Hall a few times for the final meet but there was no one home. I am so =.=" I even have video footage proving so. We ended up getting something from the fish & chip shop for dinner before retiring for the night. Alas, the Feast was over and only one more sleep separated me from goodbye.
Tuesday, October 21st 2008
As is custom on most high days, we had two services separated by lunch. For the morning service Mr. King gave an encouraging sermon entitled, "Who will you look for on the Last Great Day". In and throughout the day I scrambled to get many people's details - mandatory signing for authenticity. -)
Mr. Meredith delivered the closing sermon through the same means as the first. It was truly inspired and was the perfect high note to end an absolutely amazing and awe-inspiring Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day.
Good-bye
All good things must come to an end of a sort and thus one week and one day drew completion. In some ways it can be sobering to say good-bye to everyone and to the way of life lived and experienced during the Feast. In other ways it can be uplifting. With my sense of purpose renewed and that which I need to do impressed on my heart, I eagerly awaited the chance to continue the fight of life. I remembered the Feast is a foretaste of what is to come and so realised to wallow in depression after the Feast is futile. I intended to keep the high of the Feast soaring. Why? It was my choice to choose and my choice to do so. That is the great gift God has given us, the power to choose. For me, this was the best Feast yet and in this I thank God.
Now, from here, I fight on.
