This week, St John’s Newtownbreda is delighted to host Come & See, a four-day celebration of art, creativity and faith.

From Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June, our halls and sanctuary will become home to an exhibition of work by local artists, alongside a series of events exploring the relationship between beauty, imagination and Christian faith.

The festival begins with an Art Exhibition & Sale, featuring paintings, textiles, photography and other works from artists across our community. The exhibition will be open on Thursday and Friday from 2.00–8.30 pm and Saturday from 10.30 am–3.00 pm.

On Friday evening, local poet and artist Jake Hawkey joins Rev. Paul Lutton for The Offering — a conversation about art, poetry and faith, including readings from Jake’s work and the launch of a limited-edition poetry pamphlet created especially for the occasion.

Saturday morning offers a creative writing workshop, The Ormeau Road Psalter, led by Jake Hawkey and Jean Horstman, inviting participants to discover fresh ways of engaging with place, poetry and Scripture.

The weekend concludes with Arts Sunday at 10.30 am, celebrating creativity, beauty and Christian imagination in worship, followed by refreshments. Then at 7.00 pm, Matthew Mellon will lead a Visio Divina service, using art and Scripture as companions in prayerful reflection.

Whether you are an artist, a lover of beauty, curious about faith, or simply looking for an inspiring way to spend an afternoon or evening, you are warmly invited to come and see.