Cat walks, models and dim lighting in a church and at a missions event?
Surely not! But this is what Teddington Baptist did.
Welcome to the WORLD FASHION SHOW
It was a cold autumnal evening as I headed from Teddington station to the large Baptist Church with a glass front. As I walked into the building I knew that this was going to be no ordinary evening when the pastor greeted me in his tux!
As I entered the darkened church, I was surprised to see a long catwalk decorated with fairy lights. I took my seat and as my eyes adjusted to the light, I became aware of the variety of people in the room. There were teenagers sitting near older people, babies on their parents laps and children desperate to start running around. This was Friday night surely I was imagining it. Why was everyone here?
Then the music began.
The pastor stepped up to the podium and was joined by a lady from the missions committee. They would be comperes for the evening. Together they welcomed the crowd and the room hushed.
This was an event organised by the missions committee but was unlike any I'd ever been to. It didn't take long for the room to be filled with laughter, flying chocolate coins and dancing!
Each group entered the stage to music that would give the audience clues as to the nation they were representing. The models would dance or stride down the catwalk and then stand at the opposite end as the comperes shared something about the countries they represented. The information included little known facts, jokes, information about local customs and issues for prayer.
What amused me most was that the variety in the audience was replicated in the models. The group I enjoyed most were two older ladies with beads dangling in their hair and an older gentleman dressed like a Sheikh (see picture). They did a wonderful impression of Walk like an Egyptian and didn't seem to mind the shock they were creating!
I understand that many of the models have a particular affinity with the nations that they represented. The countries may be thousands of miles apart but this night they were drawn together in a joyful celebration of colour and diversity.
As the event drew to a close, a family of pearly kings and queens entered the stage. In that moment we were each reminded of the wonderful diversity that exists on our doorstop. London is full of people from so many different nations. The celebration of this evening could be the celebration of our lives. Maybe its because I'm a Londoner that I appreciated the reminder!
During the closing moments, everyone returned to the stage to yells of applause. Yet another poignant reminder that we belong to the global church and that this is something to celebrate.
Vicky Calver
November 2005
