Sonshine Week Up and Running at Green Pastures.

Sonshine Week activities started last Monday at Green Pastures Church, and around one hundred excited children are expected to pour through the doors of the Faith Avenue-based ministry.

The event runs from 1 to 7 July and features numerous interests for children and adults alike. It culminates in a giant celebration of all the week's fun and fellowship.

This year's added benefit is that the church recently opened a brand-new children's play area—perfect timing for an occasion such as Sonshine Week. The facility has proved so popular that hundreds of children have already used it.  

The stunning play area, which operates Thursdays through Saturdays, is open to anyone from anywhere and has received requests from families all over the Northwest, including Coleraine, Ballymoney, Larne, and other locations.

Green Pastures Operations Manager Joanne Forsthye said of the facility, "The children love it, and many parents have remarked how well things are laid out and run. The opening is perfect timing for our annual Sonshine event."

Meanwhile, the women's night is already a sell-out, with over 400 ladies signed up. Last year, the men's event was packed and promises to be a similarly well-attended meeting this time. 

Throughout this week, there will be various events, including kids' clubs, coffee mornings, youth nights, carnival fun nights, a youth water fight, a mission night, Sonshine pop-ups at Harmony Hub, community projects, acts of kindness, and other fun activities.

Stacey Shiels, a communications specialist at Green Pastures, commented, "It's great to get everything underway finally. Months of planning have gone into the event, and everyone is so excited. Last year was a washout weather-wise, yet the numbers were very encouraging, so if the sun shines this year, it could be one of our biggest-ever Sonshine week events."

According to Stacey, non-church members are being encouraged to attend the mission night—a first at Sonshine Week. "This is an opportunity to invite people to experience the church. Green Pastures is no better place if people search for a friendly, faith-based, and loving environment. We welcome everyone to come and experience fun, friendship, faith, and fellowship."

This year's main events culminate in a celebration on the following Sunday, featuring live worship and a message from Green Pastures' lead Pastor, Jeff Wright.

He added, "Sonshine week has become incredibly popular but extremely busy. There's so much taking place that it is hard to keep up with things. A lot of work and planning goes into the event, and one is certain: there's something for everyone, young and old."

Two men eagerly looking forward to this year's Sonshine Week activities are newly appointed pastors at Green Pastures, Gary Shirlow and Peter Dickey.

Gary Shirlow said, "The community spirit is the best part of seeing so many people have an awesome time. There's great craic, laughter, and some divine encounters during this special week of outreach."  Meanwhile, Peter Dickey, a newly ordained pastor at Green Pastures, added, "The thing I love about Sonshine Week is that it shows our desire for God to step down into our community, and we always expect that He will do that. I’m sure this year will be no exception."

For more information about Sonshine Week, visit the Green Pastures website or contact them at 028 2542 2541 or Faith Avenue, the Gateway, Ballymena.