Christmas Tree Festivals are becoming an increasingly popular way of reaching out to the local community over Christmas. Different groups are invited to decorate a tree, with the church then open for people to come and have a look at the finished result!
Worcester Cathedral has an annual very impressive and popular display of more than 90 Christmas trees in the Cloisters. The Mayor of Worcester will officially open the festival and the trees will be displayed for four weeks for visitors to enjoy. This free event runs from 9 December to 4 January and is a great way to get into the festive spirit by visiting this celebration of the Christmas, with innovative tree designs from the many schools, businesses and charities that take part.
All Saints’ Church in Wribbenhall had a very successful festival last year, which they are repeating in 2017. The Church will be open from 10am until 4pm, 16-18 December and people can come in to vote for their favourite tree. The organisers said: “Our church will be full of Christmas trees depicting various Christmas themes. Entrance is free and last year the event proved very popular creating a lovely peaceful atmosphere.”
St Mary and All Saints Church in Kidderminster are currently holding their first Christmas tree festival, which runs until 4 January. Churchwarden, Sue MacAskill, said: “It is hoped that groups from across the town will come together to promote themselves and also join in fellowship with each other, and that this will enable more people to engage with the church’s celebration of Christ’s birth.”
Please pray for all those organising Christmas Tree Festivals or other events to bring the community into our
churches during Advent and Christmas.
Malvern Deanery – Rural Dean: David Nichol; Lay Chair: David Sparkes
Diocese of Western North Carolina (USA): Bishop José McLoughlin
Diocese of Chester: Bishop Peter Forster with Bishops Keith Sinclair (Birkenhead), Libby Lane (Stockport)
Diocese of Kuopio (Finland):
Bishop Jari Jolkkonen
