Following the Star in Dundrum
For the past few months the team at St Donard’s Community Church in Dundrum have been busy planning Christmas events and services not knowing if their plans would be able to happen. However the past weekend proved to be a big hit with families in the village.
Earlier this month, a Christmas Star appeared above the door at St Donard’s, brightening up the dark winter night. It was a sign of the fun to come when, on Saturday 12 December, 149 stargazers took part in the ‘Follow the Star’ Christmas trail.
Participants picked up their star maps and then headed off through the village in search of the star clues in order to break the Christmas code. Once they had completed the trail everyone was then able to share the decoded Christmas message with Santa himself who gave everyone a Christmas gift for their efforts. Santa was very happy to hear the message “God is with us” in the middle of a crazy year like 2020, while the children were happy to speak with him before getting a photo with the big man in the red suit! Santa was kept busy chatting to the children and also by waving at the many cars beeping their horns on the way past.
Those taking part were able to keep energy levels up with a hot chocolate and cookie from the local Blue Bay Café. It was great to be able to support a local business by sending some hungry stargazers their way and we are very thankful to the staff there who gave everyone a discounted offer as well as making some special star shaped cookies!
Carol service
That wasn’t the end of it as on Sunday families were all invited along to the Family Christmas Jumper Carol service at St Donard’s. It was great to see so many colourful jumpers under the lights of the Christmas tree and candles with the best jumpers picking up a prize. Everyone there was treated to the premier of our special ‘Virtual Nativity’ starring some of the children in the village. This involved parents recording different scenes from the Christmas story in their homes before it was edited and produced by the wonderful ‘Play It By Ear’ drama company.
Over the course of the weekend Christmas Gift packs were given out to families. This included Christmas activities for children, some helpful hope–filled reading for the adults, a copy of ‘Finding Hope’ (the Gospel of John), lots of editable treats and an exclusive St Donard’s Christmas tree decoration.
Colin Morris, Community Pastor at St Donard’s Community Church said “We were blown away by the response of people in the village. There were so many happy faces from both parents and children. Different folk expressed how great it was to see a community event like this, especially in the year we have had. It was wonderful to be able to share with people how, despite whatever circumstances we face we can find hope in the good news about Jesus, a hope that shines brighter than any star.”
