This group of young people from the Church of God of Prophecy in Greens, St George, had fun hiking along the East Coast.

by MELISSA ROLLOCK

WHILE THOUSANDS of Barbadians jumped from the National Stadium to Spring Garden yesterday for Grand Kadooment, others chose to spend their bank holiday taking part in other activities.

A number of social groups, mainly churches, held picnics, fun days, hikes and retreats as "wholesome" alternatives to the revelry of Kadooment.

Over at the People's Cathedral in Bishop's Court Hill, St Michael, nearly 200 men gathered in the Upper Room for a day of fellowship, an initiative of the Men's Fellowship of the church held under the theme: God is Looking For Men, Are You That Man?

Member Mike Goddard told the DAILY NATION the idea was birthed seven years ago with about 35 men but had grown bigger and bigger each year.

"It was an occasion where Christian men wanted to get together and spend time in the presence of the Lord rather than be involved in the revelry of Kadooment. It has grown since then . . . last year we had 150 men.

"What happens up here remains up here, and over the years we've had people share some of the most intimate things in their lives.

"In addition, we've had some very powerful testimonies. I believe that not too soon from now we are going to have to use the sanctuary (main church), and that seats about 2 000 people," said Goddard, adding that one of the most important aspects of the retreat was saving souls.

He said a number of men gave their lives to God last year and he was expecting the same results this year.

In Carrington Village, St Michael, at the United Holy Church of America, young people jumped and waved, but for the glory of God, during the church's 59th annual convocation which falls on Kadooment Day each year. It brings together young people from all 13 churches across the island.

The youth took charge of the 3 p.m. service, offering worship through song, poetry and drama. Bishop Sinclair Howell, district president, said the convocation started long before Crop-Over.

The beaches were popular picnic spots as well as Farley Hill National Park in St Peter and Barclays Park in St Andrew.

Young and old descended upon the venues, passing the time either eating sumptuous Bajan cuisine or playing games like touch-ball.

On the East Coast, picnickers enjoyed the sweet breezes from the Atlantic while one group – the Church of God of Prophecy, Greens, St George – hiked along the rugged beach as one of its activities.

The Ebenezer Revival Centre, Whitehall, St Michael, held an outing for its Sunday school at Farley Hill. It has been doing every Kadooment as a kind of get-to-know-you event.

A number of other churches picnicked at the spot as well.

While parents lounged on the lush grass of the park, children romped in the play-park and even got a lesson in basketry from Joel Brooker, aka Bush Man, of the Goodland Seventh-Day Adventist Church.