? Lighting up the night with Carol services
Lighting up the night with Carol services
The Baptist Church on 38 Buick Street, Petone, is the place to be for carols this Christmas. The church is transformed over Christmas time into an array of walk-through displays, called Christ in Bethlehem, which follow the footsteps of Mary and Joseph to the place of the first Christmas. Pastor Steve Worsley says the event is well patronised and it is exciting to see displays from another era. ?It?s about teaching people the history of the event and nondependent on your beliefs it will be informative even from a general knowledge perspective. ?It?s open for all to come and see,? says Mr Worsley. The displays will be complete with a bakery, spa, Oasis hotel, storytellers, singing angels and live animals. A younger band will play a mixture of classical songs and rock music during the celebrations, and corals are planned for Christmas day. Celebrations are on December 11 & 12, 7.00 ? 9.30pm, also on Christmas Day, 10.00 ? 11.30am. Meanwhile Eastbourne is preparing for their annual Christmas shindig that attracted over 400 people last year. Eastbourne Community Board chairperson Ian Young says the local churches come together to support the event, this year being held at Muritai School Hall. St Alban's Anglican Church venerable Damon Plimmer says the event is significant for bringing the community together. ?The night is great to refocus what Christmas is about. ?It?s a special day in the life of the Eastbourne community,? says Mr Plimmer The local Lions Club is sponsoring a BBQ and the scouts group is lending an eager hand with collections. The Titan Hutt City brass band will lead the carols, along with shows from local school pupils. Celebrations are at Muritai School, December 13, 5pm. To aid Christmas celebrations this year a Smart Candle could be just the ticket to maintaining a carol night atmosphere without it being snuffed by the wind. Smart Candles are environmentally friendly and an alternative to real wax or naked flame lighting, without substituting candlelit ambience.
