Newsletter Highlights (November 2008) - Opportunity from Crisis / Christmas Festival

Dear Friends,

Just this week (mid October as I write), I heard an alarmed comment on Radio Bristol that the first Christmas decorations had been spotted! I’m afraid I inwardly groaned … its just too early.

Most of the other occasions the radio is turned on at the moment the news is of financial instability, shares soaring or plummeting in value, rescue plans, complications and dire predictions. In the endless analysis, there is a growing confidence in the opinion that the world economy has changed and will never be the same again. And while all of this means that there will be difficult days ahead, I cannot give up on the idea that a crisis has within it opportunity too … and that change gives room for the learning of lessons, the reclaiming of priorities and change for the better.

Christmas will be different this year … And in my often naïve way of putting 2 and 2 together … I hold out the hope that, while it could be difficult for many, in having to realise that a ‘good christmas’ can’t be bought, we’ll find people asking ‘what’s it all about then?’ That maybe in this crisis there will be the opportunity to rediscover people rather than presents … sharing rather than shopping … caring rather than consuming … God’s revolutionary gift of love ….. and the invitation to real peace and even joy in the depths of our often less than comfortable, yet real, human existence.

It’s early to be thinking about Christmas but maybe there is something about considering these things before we get carried away!

In June I was invited to a meeting with some of the Henleaze Road traders, and others, to start planning an adventurous community Christmas event. The initial idea was to have one ‘late night shopping’ evening in Henleaze, to encourage people to support local businesses ….. but since then it has grown into a

community Christmas festival.

The date is Wednesday December 10th, from 3 until 9pm.

The evening will have all sorts going on - singers, street drama, musicians and carol singing for everyone, schools music groups, local artists and crafts-people holding stalls, games and fun for children, street decorations, mince pies, mulled wine and maybe even roasted chestnuts…. As well as a warm welcome into the late opening shops along Henleaze Road. Some road closure is being applied for to ensure safety and, weather permitting, much of the activity will be outside.

Being on Henleaze Road means that our church is in an ideal place to take part in this community celebration. We, along with St. Peters’ church, have been invited to be part of this event and it is a great opportunity for local Christians to share one of the most important festivals of our faith with the people of our neighbourhood.

So …. The Church building is booked so that if the weather is not good we can open the doors, welcome people and hold many of the activities inside and the festival can continue. And with friends from St. Peters’ church we’re going to have a Christmas tree and craft stall where people can come and make a decoration and add it to a community tree … it will be a good opportunity to meet and mingle with people of our neighbourhood.

Being a strong community where people know and support one another and local businesses will be important as the consequences of the present economic turbulence take their effect in all our lives. I hope that this Christmas festival will encourage those gifts of community that enrich us all.

Yours,

Tracey.