Christmas Tree Festival at St Patrick’s, Broughshane

Tuesday November 4th 2014

St Patrick’s, Broughshane, celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2015.

In preparation for the celebration of the 250^th Anniversary of the Consecration of St Patrick’s Church, Broughshane, in 2015, the parish is to host a Christmas Tree Festival.

This will run in the church from November 27-29 and there will be a Christingle Service on Sunday November 30 at 6pm. This will be the parish’s first Christmas Tree Festival and the theme will be ‘The Word of the Lord.’

The Festival will be officially opened by the Mayor of Ballymena, Cllr Audrey Wales MBE on Thursday November 27 at 7pm.

The Christmas Tree has been a symbol of Christmas dating back as far as the 12^th century, with Christians decorating Christmas Trees to symbolise what Christmas meant to them. It was a tradition to suspend the tree upside-down to represent an arrow shape to show God coming down to earth at Christmas.

The rector, the Very Re John FA Bond, Dean of Connor, said: “This is a very special event and one which we hope will be enjoyed by the whole community as we approach Advent and prepare to celebrate the Festive season.

“St Patrick’s Church is the perfect setting for such an occasion and there has been a huge investment of effort in planning the preparations behind the scenes. We trust the Festival will help us to rediscover the meaning and message of God’s unique and unconditional love in the Gift of His Son our Saviour Jesus Christ”.

All are welcome and the church will be open each day from 12 noon to 8pm and on Friday until 9.30pm. Refreshments will be served in the Parish Hall and group bookings can be made. For further information please contact Mrs Sadie Johnston Tel: 028 25 861215.