Holy Nativity is classed as one of the most deprived parishes in the church of England.  However, we do not accept that ‘economically deprived’ tells the whole story of this amazing place.  As a creative and collaborative community, we seek to provide an imaginative space where anyone can enjoy using music, craft and art to celebrate our faith and our community. We passionately believe that every person can be creative and our arts programme, in collaboration with artists from every discipline aims to enable anyone and everyone to have a go and discover their God given creativity.

 
In 2023, we began running community arts retreats in partnership with Resound Worship and United Adoration.  The events proved so popular we expanded them in 2024 and included events for all ages including a day of junk modelling and puppet making as well as sessions on Pilgrimage and Creation.  We also held a series of live lounge concerts and ran song writing sessions with our partners at the local community primary school.
 
Building on the success and popularity of the events we ran in 2023/4 and now with the support of the Westhill Foundation and others we are looking to expand our arts offering in 2024/5 and to invite the growing group who attend our retreats to form a monthly group for anyone wanting to have a go, explore more of their creative side and grow in confidence. 
 
The expanded programme began in October 2024 with a multi arts retreat entitled ‘Journey towards Justice’:  a day of creative activities, drawing on imagery and ideas of justice from scripture and from different traditions to inspire people to make, write or compose pieces in response to the theme. This event acted as creative preparation for our ‘justice and the economy’ day conference in November which included displays of the artwork created as well as speakers from the William Temple foundation, just money and citizens UK and a keynote address from Michael Mather; author of ‘having nothing possessing everything’.
 
In January 2025, using the links created out of these events we are beginning a monthly ‘craft and creativity’ session where we continue to try different forms of creating, support people in starting their own mixed media journalling and encourage people to come along and have a go.
 
In the spring, summer and Autumn of 2025, we are planning further multi arts retreats with United Adoration on themes to be chosen by the group as well as more live lounge events where local musicians and children will play alongside professionals. 
 
We are also working with our partners at our community school and with Find Your Voice on a programme of family events to encourage parents and children to participate in making music together.
 
We like to introduce local creatives to our community, to explore our creativity together and see what happens, so we hope that we will discover more to add to our programme as the year goes on.   
 
Plans so far:
 
26^th January 2025
Launch of Craft and Create a monthly gathering of anyone interested in exploring creativity as a way to encounter God.
 
24^th February – 26^th March 2025 (exact dates TBC)
We Are Family: a 5 session multisensory music and play programme, which supports the parent/carer of young children (0-4yrs) in engaging with their child through song and with a focus on the early years foundation stage.  Provided in conjunction with Find Your Voice.
 
21 – 23rd March 2025
United Adoration Multi Arts Retreat on the theme of Grief and Lament (Lent themed)
 
21 March 2025
Live Lounge – Elise Massa, Andy Clarke and support.
 
27 – 29 June 2025
United Adoration Multi Arts Retreat on the theme of Art and Soul (incorporating Art and Soul installation from Westhill Foundation)
 
27 June 2025
Live Lounge – artists TBC
 
July or September 2025 (exact dates TBC)
Mixi’s got talent – following on from work done in conjunction with Ash Green Primary School throughout 2025, a holiday workshop culminating in a concert celebrating the talents of children and adults in our community.
 
17 – 19 October 2025
United Adoration Multi Arts Retreat on the theme of All souls (incorporating Bald Statements exhibition from Westhill Foundation)
 
17 October 2025
Live Lounge – artists TBC