Onslow Community Church used to put lights up on their building in the lead up to Christmas, but stopped in recent years.
This year, with a renewed community focus, a group from their church knocked on doors in the surrounding streets to chat. "People commented that they missed the Christmas lights!" says Community Pastor Pete Rhodes-Robinson, "so we moved to reinstate the tradition this year! The local fire service even pitched in to help!"
Onslow Community Church also runs an annual Kids Christmas Show and a Christmas Eve Family Service, both of which are well attended by the local community. "The combined churches in the area also organise a Community Carols Event which is hosted here," says Pete, "next year we have tentative plans to also do a Kids Movie & Craft Night, so that parents can drop-off kids and get their last minute Christmas shopping done!"
It's been encouraging to hear stories about how communities are welcoming church-run/led events during the Christmas season, and it's exciting to see churches respond to joyfully share the good news in their local context.
What has your church been up to? Do you have a story to share? Let us know.
Story by Sophia Sinclair.
