On four consecutive days in June the cathedral was jam-packed with a thousand Year 6 pupils as they celebrated their time in primary school and were prayed for as they prepare to move on to their high school in September. In addition to the pupils many parents also joined this time of celebration and reflection … the cathedral was so full that there was standing room only for many parents. To fill the largest cathedral in the country is wonderful.
This year the children considered the account of David being chosen to be the king of Israel and his subsequent defeat of Goliath. Pupils were reminded that no matter how big the giants in our life may be whether it be a physical giant or the giant of moving to a bigger school … God is always ready to help us. Everyone there was also reminded that God looks at the heart and not the outward appearance - 1 Samuel 16:7.
The service was action packed with hardly a moment to draw breath, Y Kids led the singing with lots of actions too … the song Every Giant Will Fall was a big hit. In Another Place created a three-part drama that used the whole of the cathedral with a full size Goliath and a Beach Boys song! Tim Coates from The Mount Church in St Helens pieced it all together and passed on some really important messages for the pupils, the teachers and the parents.
School choirs from St Mary’s, West Derby, St Catharine’s, Wigan, St Philip’s Southport and a combined choir from St Thomas the Martyr, Upholland and Bickerstaffe CE helped set the scene as prayers from every child were offered. This was a very moving part to the service.
The cheers and applause from the children as the school banners were processed at the end of the service are probably still echoing in the building. The Year 6 pupils left the service knowing that God is with them wherever they go Our prayer is that they enjoy their last few weeks of primary school life and are happy and successful in their high schools.