Dunluce’s Mary and Joseph share a Christmas message in the community

Thursday December 12th 2024

Mary, Joseph and their donkey have been travelling around and about from Dunluce Parish.

Mary and Joseph have been journeying around the north coast – and even further afield – in recent days as part of an initiative by the rector of Dunluce, the Rev Brian Harper, to take the seasonal message of the church into the wider community. Check out their travel photos below!

Mary, Joseph and their donkey, beautifully knit by Doris Johnston, began their travels on Advent Sunday, December 1, and will be on the road until they return to Dunluce Parish Church on Christmas Day.

And to date they have had a series of adventures – from their visit to the Lighthouse Club on that first day, they have been to a number of different schools, shopping at stores big and little, helped out preparing for the Christmas Fair, travelled on the train to Carrickfergus Castle, attended the bowls club and Slimming World, enjoyed the views and hospitality at local eating establishments, and observed as the Mothers’ Union crafted table centres!

Brian said he had been using knitted nativity figures for some time as a means of taking the church into the wider community.

“It is, of course, very light-hearted, but nevertheless allows children to bring Mary and Joseph to school and let everyone know that they are involved in church activities. It is also particularly important in involving the wider community in the Christian message, especially shop workers etc who don’t always have the opportunity to be involved on Sundays.”

Brian added: “When I have accompanied the trio on their travels, it has opened up both light-hearted chats and some deeper questions. It is an ‘all-inclusive’ trip in that it is reaching out across perceived boundaries and embracing many different people.

“On Christmas night, Mary and Joseph will return to church and hopefully there will be an addition to the family.”

Mary and Joseph’s adventures continue – on Thursday night they were joining the Sunday School to try out some bouncy castles, and a trip to the gym was planned over the weekend!

You can follow the rest of Mary and Joseph’s travels on the Dunluce Parish Facebook Page.