Community
20 December, 2024
Church opens doors for Christmas day
THE doors of the Camperdown Uniting Church hall will be opened for Christmas this year, with residents invited to celebrate Christmas with others in the community.
The church will be holding an open-door Christmas celebration on Christmas day from 10am-3pm as a way of encouraging community connections.
Reverend Suzie Castle said the idea came from Andrea Bell and Tim O’Sullivan who recognised the need for an event given the complicated association many people have with Christmas Day.
“It’s not a new thing for churches to host a Christmas day lunch given we do this every year in Brisbane, but it could be new to the area,” she said.
“People attend a function like this for different reasons - family dislocations might come to mind, but I’ve found the Christmas Day lunch becomes a refuge for people who are from other countries or from interstate.
“They don’t have family around or haven’t been able to make it back home, so Christmas day can become a depressing time if people feel they are on their own.
“Tim and Andrea have championed this event because they saw a need for people to be able to share in Christmas day together who didn’t have one.
“I extend it to anyone who simply needs a casual time of community coming together in a way that’s easy and fun.”
The free Christmas celebration will consist of a morning tea starting at 10am followed by a barbecue, sandwiches and sweets.
Rev Castle said the open-door Christmas celebration aimed to spread hope, love and joy by bringing the community together, regardless of faith, background or ideas on Christmas.
“It’s an open invitation to anybody – it could be families, single people, couples, it doesn’t matter,” she said.
“Regardless of whether you have faith in God or understand Jesus is the reason for the season, very few people want to be alone on Christmas.
“This is a place where people can enjoy a relaxed time, making friends or being with friends they know will be there.
“It’s a time of community and connectivity.”
Guests will be able to enjoy some music alongside friendly conversations and, while those who are willing can bring a plate to share, there is no requirement to bring anything along for the day.
Anyone who needs more information can contact Andrea Bell on 0419 931 709, otherwise residents can simply drop in on the day at 41-43 Barkly Street.
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