Church youth service gets a touch of magic

[Althalus]

A church will be injecting a little magic into its services by using Harry Potter to illustrate Christianity.

Sanderstead United Reformed Church in Sanderstead Hill is the venue for an afternoon of bewitching games and activities as well as special youth service illustrating the message of Jesus through Harry Potter on Sunday, September 14.

Some critics of have argued that JK Rowling’s popular children’s books are un-Christian with their tales of magic and mischief, but full-time youth worker Matt Moreton hopes to prove the critics wrong and encourage more young people to the church.

Matt said: “My job is to get across the message that Christ is relevant to young people and Harry Potter is the in thing at the moment. I’m a Harry Potter fan and I heard lots of negative things about Harry Potter because of the wizardry and witchcraft and that Harry Potter is filling the space of Christianity. I thought I’d try and show Harry Potter wasn’t all bad.

“There are all sorts of similarities between Harry Potter and the Christian Gospel. The one that most struck me was that Harry Potter’s parents gave up their lives for Harry and Jesus gave up his life for us.

“Also Harry Potter is surrounded by friends who love him, that is my view of what Christianity is about.” The Harry Potter day starts with games and activities for children aged 11 and over from 4.30pm to 6pm at the church. Then from 6pm the church will then hold a youth service using the Harry Potter books and film clips to demonstrate the Christian Gospel.

Croyden Guardian