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Songs of Praise

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Inspiring hymns and songs, together with stories of faith from around the UK and beyond.

Inspiring hymns and songs, together with uplifting stories of faith from around the UK and beyond.

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Aled Jones

James Lusted

David Waters

Cat Lewis

Emyr Afan

Matthew Napier

Avanti Media

Songs of Praise: Strawberry Field

Strawberry Field

BBC One - Songs of Praise, Strawberry Field

Aled Jones connects The Beatles and Christianity at Strawberry Field in Liverpool.

Filmed before the current restrictions, Aled Jones explores the theme of inclusion at the Strawberry Field Salvation Army centre in Liverpool and discovers its link to The Beatles.

In a programme filmed before the current restrictions, Aled Jones explores the theme of inclusion by visiting Strawberry Field in Liverpool to discover how the Salvation Army is putting faith into action and embracing its link to John Lennon, who played there as a child.
 
When the Beatles released Strawberry Fields Forever in 1967, many assumed the lyric was simply the product of John Lennon’s imagination, but the song harked back to a place that was very special to Lennon’s childhood. Strawberry Field was a Salvation Army children’s home in Woolton, Liverpool, occupying a grand Victorian house with beautiful grounds. John lived with his Aunt Mimi around the corner and often used to jump over the walls to play in the gardens. It was a place of sanctuary for him.
 
The children’s home closed in 2005, and the Salvation Army felt there was an opportunity to do something new and creative with the site, especially as 60,000 Beatles fans a year were turning up just to take photos by the iconic red gates. Last year they opened a new Strawberry Field centre – a training hub for young people with learning difficulties. There is also a visitor exhibition exploring the site’s links to John Lennon and gardens for spiritual reflection. Aled meets Salvation Army major Kathy Versfeld to hear more about the history of Strawberry Field and its famous visitor, and how the centre is now offering a Christian welcome and a place to reflect for the many visitors who come. Aled also meets trainees on the Strawberry Field 'steps to work' programme, which helps adults with learning difficulties to build skills and find work.
 
Aled also meets Rev Alex Clare-Young, a young minister in the United Reformed Church, who believes part of his calling is to share his story as a transgender Christian. Alex talks openly about his journey from an unhappy childhood - he was told to leave his church as a teenager - to his transition and call to ministry. 
 
And James Lusted meets trailblazing preacher Anna Herriman. Anna is training to be a local preacher in the Methodist Church, and when she qualifies she will be the first female in the role to use British Sign Language in the pulpit. James hears her testimony and her thoughts on how important it is for churches to be inclusive and accessible. With great hymns and modern worship songs from churches across the UK, including Liverpool’s magnificent Anglican cathedral.

Music:

To God Be The Glory
Salvation Army Sale, September 2015

Hear The Call Of The Kingdom
Albert Hall, Nottingham, October 2018

Cornerstone
Church of Christ the Cornerstone, Milton Keynes, October 2017

Let Us Build A House
St Machar’s Cathedral, Aberdeen, November 2015

You’ll Never Walk Alone
Katherine Jenkins

Strength Will Rise
Salvation Army, Sale, September 2015

Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven
Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, May 2016	

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