Members of our uniformed organisations joined us in celebrating Christingle on Sunday 31st January.
Bringing together friends and family of all ages, our Christingle Service raises money for the Children’s Society. They take action to prevent, rescue and support children facing violence, poverty and neglect in their daily lives.
Each person at the service from the youngest Rainbow to the oldest congregation member (young at heart) were able to create a traditional Christingle during the service and learn about the symbolism of the Christingle.
A sweet, juicy, shiny orange represents the goodness of the earth that God created.
Four sticks (cocktail sticks or tooth picks) are put into the top side of the orange. These represent the four seasons of the year.
Onto each stick is threaded dried fruit like sultanas or raisins. This represents all the goodness of the fruit of the earth and the richness of animals and birds that God has provided on his earth. We also add jelly babies to represent the people.
A red ribbon wrapped around the orange and fixed in represents the blood of Jesus who died for the salvation of the whole world.
The white candle is placed in the very top of the orange into a hole. This candle represents Jesus, the light of the world, God's son.
Our Service ended with everyone in the church making a big circle right around the outside and the each candle being lit by the person next to them. The church lights were dimmed and we all took a moment to face inwards to see over a hundred candles representing the light of the world. More photos in the gallery soon.