Christmas 2023: special services and outreach events
We are looking forward again to celebrating Christmas in the traditional way this year. Listed below are the various special services and outreach events which will be taking place: you are very welcome to join us at any of these. If you need a handy guide to everything in one place, you can download a version of the United Church Christmas 2023 information leaflet. This also includes details of all the regular Sunday and Wednesday services taking place in December.
Special Services
Friday 15 December, 3.00pm: Quiet Christmas This a traditional service for those who want to celebrate Christmas quietly. It may be particularly valued by those who are on their own, who are recently bereaved, or who are feeling that life is a challenge at the moment. It will also be ideal for those who find sitting through a full service difficult. Carers and friends are all welcome, too. Christmas refreshments will be served afterwards in church.
Sunday 17 December, 6.30pm: Carol Service This year's Carol Service will keep to its familiar time and format, with readings, carols and reflections on the Christmas story. Everyone will be able to join in with the congregational carols, enjoy the choir items, and listen to the traditional readings.
Sunday 24 December, 4.00pm: Christingle Service This year's Christingle will largely follow the same format from previous years: everyone will be provided with a DIY Christingle bag, and we will all make our Christingles together, but in our own seat. The atmosphere of Christmas approaching and all being peaceful and ready will still be the same: Christmas starts here!
Sunday 24 December, 11.00pm: Midnight Communion Please note that there will not be a Communion Service at UCD on Christmas Eve this year. Instead, there will be a joint Anglican - United Church Communion Service at St George's Church, Fordington, at 11pm. Rev John Yarrien hopes to be preaching, alongside Rev Cora Yarrien.
Monday 25 December, 10.30am: Christmas Day Morning Service This is a 45 minute service, when we celebrate the good news of Christmas Day. Come and join us to share in the joy of the Christmas Morning!
Outreach Events
Saturday 9 December; Thursday 14 - Saturday 16 December: Journey to the Stable This is an interactive journey into the meaning of Christmas. Suitable for adults and children, it finishes with a re-creation of the stable scene itself. Come and reflect on the journey with its seven stations focusing on a person or a part of the Christmas story, each with a reading and reflection; or just come and spend some time at the stable. Please note these times when the Journey to the Stable will be open:Saturday 9 December and Saturday 16 December: 11am - 3.00pmThursday 14 December: 11.00am - 3.00pmFriday 15 December: 11.00am - 1.30pm
Tuesday 19 December; Thursday 21 December, 10.00am - 1.30pm: Family FunDays Take time out from the last minute rush with something for everyone: guided craft activities, biscuit icing, toys to play with and traditional refreshments. “Are you in the picture?” will offer parents the chance to take a picture of their children in a stable setting wearing a costume; and there will be free baby changing and feeding facilities. You can also still visit the stable (see picture above) - and everything will be free!
Wednesday 20 December: Action for Children Carol Singing The Action for Children fundraising group at UCD will be singing carols outside the front door of the church, and collecting donations, on Wednesday 20 December from 11.30am - 12.30pm. This will be just after the weekly Market Day Service - come along to both for a full morning!
Friday 22 December, 9.30 - 10.30am: Christian Aid Carol Singing Come and join the Christmas Carol Singing in South Street, outside Barclays Bank.All are welcome - either to join in, to shake a can, or just to donate: all proceeds will go to Christian Aid.
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