Fabulous festivities as Connor youth converge on Ballymena

Thursday December 7th 2017

Young people involved in outreach on the streets of Ballymena.

Young people from across Connor Diocese converged on Ballymena on Saturday December 2 for some fabulous festivities as part of a day of outreach, fun and food!

During the afternoon, 25 young people and leaders gathered with the intention of encouraging local people across the town. The Connor Youth Forum planned the afternoon’s outreach and the group went out into Ballymena, giving out free tea, coffee, Christmas cards and candy canes.

Baby Caleb, pictured with mum Lindsey Addis, dressed up for the Christmas Event!

The young people gave away lots of free items, encouraged many and prayed with a few people in the town. They returned for a great hot meal before setting up for the evening event.

The evening was a great success with more than 90 attending from 10 parishes: Ballymoney; Lower Shankill; Lisburn Cathedral; Church of the Resurrection; St Nicholas’, Carrickfergus; All Saints’, Antrim; Glenavy; Ballymena; Lambeg; and St Peter’s, Belfast.

They played some epic Christmas games, including Christmas Bingo, wrapping trees, photo booth challenges and relay charades.

Christina Baillie, Diocesan Youth Officer said: “It was a great fun evening for the young people. We are so appreciative of all the leaders for bringing their groups and all they do for the young people in their parishes. It was fantastic to celebrate Christmas together before launching into a new programme of events for the youth of the diocese.”

Fun and games during the evening Christmas Event.

Connor Youth Council would like to thank Ballymena Parish for hosting the outreach and evening event, especially Richard and Andrea Cotter for providing dinner, and Helen Weir, Lucy McLaughlin and Alan Scott for all their assistance throughout the day.”