2024 Feast of Tabernacles: Southport, United Kingdom

Nearly 200 Feast-goers assembled in the beautiful ballroom at the Prince of Wales Hotel in the Victorian seaside town of Southport, in the northwest of England. Local members traveled from Scotland, Northern Ireland and various parts of England. 

Some U.K. members had taken advantage of the lateness of this year’s Feast, which overlapped schools’ mid-term break, and gone abroad. Thankfully, overseas visitors stepped in to support the “B Team” in vital areas. 

The inspiring Feast messages and Bible studies were complemented by musicians who accompanied the hymns and produced wonderful special music. An overlapping group also supported the work of the audiovisual team. The ministry and other speakers during the Feast were a mixture of local U.K. men and visitors from the United States. A Bible study for teens was offered one evening, and shorter Bible lessons for younger children were held as breakout sessions during two morning services. 

Apart from church services, activities included: swimming and 10-pin bowling for children and teens, go-karting, a discussion for the ladies based on Titus 2:1-5, traditional dancing and Scottish country dancing. Several took the train south to the nearby city of Liverpool for its museums, exhibitions, galleries and shopping opportunities. Informal welcome and farewell functions provided an opportunity for everyone to mix and fellowship in a relaxed setting. 

A Zoom link for all services was available to members unable to attend the Feast in person. Members linking in from more than 20 connections appreciated this option, which allowed them to fellowship before and after services. 

By the end of the Feast, 189 attendees had registered their presence in person, 79 of whom were overseas visitors, mainly from the United States. The highest attendance was 189, recorded during the afternoon service on the Eighth Day.