Only one of us was able to make the date for the Bourne Free
parade, but it was really good to be able to take part in this, only our second
year.
Bourne
Free
has been building up over the past thirteen years
and it felt like a really exuberant event. They have placed a video of the parade on the Bourne Free Facebook page
The Bourne Free Parade organisers had arranged for Ringwood Unitarians to walk
alongside the only other faith group taking part, the Metropolitan Community Church from Pokesdown (Dorset Humanists, some of whom might also want to be mentioned at this point, were also there in strength). This was wonderful. What a welcome MCC gave! And also all eyes were on them – so as a by-product, also
on Ringwood Unitarians – because the MCC had co-opted their friends from Liberty Church in Blackpool who brought their huge mannequin
of Jesus. The children in particular
were mesmerized. “Big Jesus” certainly
captured everyone’s imagination, and there were many smiles at “Big Jesus” and about him, too. Sadly there were also some jeers and boos
when the parade passed one place so it just shows that not everyone is content with the idea that
Jesus is there for, and welcomes, everyone.
“Big Jesus” was carried on the shoulders of one person continuously from 10.30
a.m. to after 1 p.m., and he danced from one part of the crowd to the next,
shaking hands, blowing kisses, and waving his rainbow balloons. Up till now no photos of the Ringwood Unitarian
rep have been sent in but here is a picture of MCC, Liberty Church and “Big
Jesus”.
It was great fun and wonderful to make some new friends at
MCC who, being in Pokesdown, are almost next door neighbours for Ringwood Unitarians. We hope to build on this by
meeting with them again very soon.
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