The Connor Christmas Panto Trail!

Thursday November 25th 2021

‘HE’S BEHIND YOU!’ All the fun of the panto comes to parishes across the diocese next month in the form of the Connor Christmas Panto Trail.

Connor Children’s Council and Church Army have teamed up with Play it By Ear drama company to offer this exciting seasonal event to parishes.

Victoria Jackson, Diocesan Children’s Ministry Development Officer, said: “We are very excited to have this opportunity to share the Christmas message with families in such a fun way, especially after not being able to gather together to celebrate last year due to Covid-19.

“The response to the initiative was incredible and spaces filled up very quickly. We are delighted to see parishes being so eager to minister to families this Christmas and just wish there were more weekends in December to allow for more to be involved!”

The Christmas Panto Trail will start with a performance of the Nativity Story from Play it By Ear. The performance will move through different stations throughout the church grounds and buildings. Families will then enjoy a Christingle Service, led by puppets, and will make their own Christingle to take home. The event will finish with crafts and hot chocolate.

The event is free, but families will be required to book in for a specific performance slot, with performances running every 30 minutes. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, spaces are limited, so if you would like to book in for an event please contact the host church to check availability. These are:

St Patrick’s, Ballymena – Saturday December 4, 2-4pm
St Patrick’s, Whitehead – Saturday December 11, 2-4pm
Drumaul Parish Church, Randalstown – Sunday December 12, 10:30am-12:30pm
All Saints’, Antrim – Sunday December 12, 2-4pm
Derryvolgie Parish – Friday December 17, 6:30-8:30pm
Lisburn Cathedral – Saturday December 18, 11am-2pm

Victoria added: “We can’t wait to work with these parishes and their communities as we remember the reason that we celebrate Christmas and explore the story of Jesus birth together!”