Revd Liz writes about how activities this Christmas are helping us look beyond our churches to the community we serve
CONNECTION – it’s one of our mission priorities.
And our outward-focused Christmas events are all going wonderfully so far.
Despite torrential rain, St Luke’s Community Choir managed to sing carols to a packed Old Library at Charlton House’s Christmas Tree lights switch-on last month.
The Christmas Market at St Thomas was wonderfully well-attended with many cooked breakfasts eaten, gifts bought, faces painted, wreaths made, visits to Santa and music to entertain.
The following week the Community Choir was out again at Greenwich Carers Centre, leading carol singing in their lovely cafe.
Nearly 200 children from local primaries came to experience the Christmas Journey – an interactive telling of the Christmas story, and classes and classes more of children have been into both churches to learn more about Christmas from a Christian perspective.
As usual, St Thomas was packed as it hosted Thorntree Carol Concert.
Fears that the Christmas Singalong at St Thomas on Sunday 11th would be affected by the snow proved to be unfounded. By 5pm kick off there were 10 people. By 5.10pm the church was full!
After a gap of 3 years, Charlton Triangle Homes held their Carol Concert at St Luke’s, with children from Fossdene and Cherry Orchard schools singing and playing instruments.
The digital Advent Calendar is a lovely celebration of many things that make Charlton the unique place it is. A treat to open each morning.
By Christmas we’ll also have led carol services at Charlton Park and Time Court Care homes, St Joseph’s Court warden assisted housing and at Beacham Close and 40 Littleheath Sheltered Housing.
Thank you to the VERY many people who have worked so hard to make all these connections.
The gospels show us that Jesus did spend time at the synagogue and amongst the ‘religious’. But he had so many wonderful encounters with people out and about as they went about their everyday life. Christ met people where they were. I hope he can be our role model as we seek to be outward-focussed.
Much love, Liz
Looking beyond our churches
