Church celebrations tomorrow

10:07am Saturday 17th May 2008

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WORSHIPPERS from across Marlow are preparing for a weekend of celebrations in Higginson Park.

Six different churches have come together to get ready for Hope 08, a festival tomorrow.

There will be a barbecue, live music acts, a bungee run, a football event and a display at the skate park.

Organiser Mike Wilkinson, from Marlow Christian Fellowship, said it was a chance for all the different religious denominations in Marlow to form closer relations, adding: "There are major things that unite us and the sad thing is that sometimes the focus has been on the things that divide us.

"I'm hoping that there will be 500 people just from the churches, along with all the people who are drawn to the park because it's a nice day to enjoy themselves.'' Mr Wilkinson, who stressed that the event was open to any faiths, explained: "This event is called Hope in the Park and it is open to all.

"We want to share the hope that Jesus offers to everyone.'' The group has bought a second-hand bus for the event, and is doing it up to make a mobile venue and entertainment centre.

The Hope Bus will be painted bright purple, with Hope' written in large letters across the side. The group plans to install plasma screen televisions inside, as well as games consoles, a coffee bar and seating.

When it is ready, the bus will tour Marlow and the surrounding area to act as a venue for after school activities and other events.

So far, more than 700 hours of volunteer work and £8,000 have gone into building the bus.

Other attractions include an open air service at 11.30am, and a Prayer Maze'. This is a large maze which will be set up in Higginson Park.

Worshippers will be able to wander through the corridors of the maze, offering up prayers at several stations dotted around inside.