80s Themed Night brings in The Neighbourhood

A crazy idea formed on the edge of the sports field while Andrew Carson and Carl Billington were enjoying the sun at Ministry Leaders Family Camp this year.

What if we put on an 80s party for our neighbourhoods in the middle of Winter this year? It’s the gloomiest time of year and people need some fun and laughter – and what’s more fun than the 80s?!

So on the first of August, St Mary’s Silverstream invited anyone and everyone in the neighbourhood to come join them for some mid-winter fun. The whole place was decked out in flouro and streamers, with mixed lollibags, record covers and giant rubix cubes. A pile of people turned up and the Sacred Secular Band kicked things off with a first set that included 80s classics such as Wake Me Up by Wham, Summer of 69, Living On A Prayer (complete with talk box), Tiffany’s I Think We’re Alone Now, and Michael Jackon’s Beat It!

Intermission was made of 80s party treats like cheerios, fairy bread, twisties, lollie cake and of course sausage rolls and a really fun 80s memorabilia quiz, hosted by local Quiz Master Blaine McLachlan.

Set 2 highlights included Counting The Beat, The Proclaimers’ 500 Miles, classics from Cher, Roxette and Midnight Oil, and a finale of Sweet Child of Mine and Dave Dobbyn’s kiwi Anthem Slice of Heaven to close out the night.

Then the very next week, the band hit the road and joined the crew up at All Saint’s Palmy to do the same thing all over again with their neighbourhood. It was another superb night with a great crowd of young and old and even a spontaneous moonwalk from one young dancer during the Beat It guitar solo. Epic stuff!!

“We had laughter and smiles everywhere,” Rev Kath Bier recalls, “Our youngest person on the dancefloor was around 8 years old and our oldest was 95. It was truly a party for EVERYONE!”

Andrew Carson agreed, “We sometimes forget how much fun Jesus wants us to have – he came to give us life to the fullest. We definitely saw that on Saturday night. What a way to bless our neighbourhoods – with food and fun and music that brings back some of their favourite memories.”

Here’s a few photos of the fun and laughter from the night – let’s all keep looking for novel ways to bless our community and share some of God’s joy and laughter with them!