THIS SATURDAY

CHRISTMAS DAY 2011

It takes months of preparation, and our intention is always to make it the best day it can be - so that Christmas is Happy for so many more people. Again this year we have sought to do that and we trust we have been able too, brilliantly supported by so many of our own church leaders and members, and a brilliant team of volunteers who served as part of the team. The day starts with preparing the centre for the day and the drivers are out and about collecting people to bring them for registration at 10am. Margaret, our administrator is there to see everyone in, and an opportunity for refreshment sets everyone ready for the day ahead. At 11am our annual Family Celebration begins, and here not only our guests and volunteers for the day, but also our church family come together, and thus year our theme was STABLE FAMILY, concluding our advent series on STABLE MOMENTS. This fitted in well with the address which the Queen was to give later in the day on addressing the importance of Family. Our Captains led the celebration, which was attended by about 130 people of all ages. The children featured and spoke to Captain Sue about their gifts and they were given some more. They sang to us AWAY IN A MANGER and also We want to celebrate this Christmas. Other songs and carols included:- Ding, Dong Merrily on High; A Starry Night; Long time ago; Once in Royal David's City; Father God I wonder; Christians Awake. During the meeting, which was attended by many who would not normally attend Church, the Captain encouraged people to receive the Gospel this Christmas. Looking at Family, we explored how name and position does not matter; how money does not matter; how what we have done does not matter - we all have a place in the Family of God, and are invited to the Stable to meet with Jesus. In time of prayer and reflection many people came forward to celebrate their place within the Family of God, and placed their name on the FAMILY TREE. For some this was an important time as they recognised that they belonged and mattered to God and were very much a part of the Christmas story.



The tree where many people placed their names celebrating that they belong



Some of the family then made their way home at the conclusion of our celebration or to meet with family, while everyone else stayed and we hope enjoyed the day. Tony the Magician returned and entertained people before we all sat down for our annual Christmas dinner which was served at 1.15pm. In all 141 meals were served, and three courses provided. Those attended varied from those who would be alone, to families struggling, to couples without family. Our table hosts entertained our guests and there was a booklet to work through to use the time wisely. After dinner a short time of looking through the quiz questions took place and then Captain Susan shared some music. After this we watched the Queens speech and during this a team were busy serving drinks and making up a bag of food for people to take home and enjoy for their tea. Once the queen had concluded, presents and other goodies were presented to our guests, before Captain Ian concluded the day by explaining that we do what we do because of our love for Jesus and His love for them and one another. Ian then prayed and our guests made their way home by 4pm, and the team then got the hall all cleaned up and all then went home feeling that we had done our best to make this the day it should be.

We cannot thank the team enough for all they did to make all this possible. We are so grateful, and we trust everyone really enjoyed their Christmas Day 2011. Some volunteers have already booked for next year!