The season of Advent is here! How are you and your church community taking time out to focus on Jesus in the lead up to Christmas?
Every year Maungarei Community Christian Trust (in connection with Mt Wellington Community Church) runs an event called Glow in the Park. The event is mostly funded by the local board, who asked the trust to run something for the community at Christmas.
Glow in the Park is a Sunday afternoon family event and is now in its 5th year, involving a number of nearby churches.
Local pastor Russell Grainger is the Maungarei Community Christian Trust CEO and says the event has become a real highlight on the community calendar: “We have really good Christian bands playing, as well as awesome amusements for the kids to play on. Whanau sit around having dinner together and enjoying the evening. At dusk we hand out 7000 glowsticks and we sing traditional and modern carols and towards the end of the carols one of the pastors brings the wonderful story of Christmas and its true meaning and impact on our lives to everyone there”.
The churches involved are also able to provide a listening ear to care for their community: “During the afternoon we have a ‘Korero and karakia’ tent set up and staffed by gifted volunteers from the different churches to chat with and pray for people.”
Russell says it is a blessing to have this role in serving their local community. Would you join with us in praying for those attending this year? If you’re interested in learning more you can check out the event here.
Here at CCCNZ we love to hear and tell stories of how people are encouraging others to celebrate this 'good news of great joy for all people' this Christmas. Pop on over to our Facebook page and share what you’re doing to point people to Jesus, or flick us an email.
Story by Sophia Sinclair.
