Christmas in the Market Place 2010
At present it appears that
this will not take place this year, but watch this space
Christmas in the Market Place 2009
Due to problems this event did
not take place
Christmas in the Market Place 2008 a short report
The Small marquee was set up at 7.30.am
on four Thursdays preceding Christmas by Brian Angus and two or
three stalwart helpers (see list below) who braved the dark, cold,
rain, wind, and snow, and manned by a rota of volunteers from
Churches Together in Epsom until dismantling time at 4.00pm.
The tent was divided into two parts.
One half devoted to Fairtrade items which created a lot of interest
for Christmas presents, and a display of books from Dovecote
Christian Bookshop, especially featuring books for children, also
cards and other Christmas sundries. The opposite end was a quiet
place for contemplation , prayer, and meditation. There was a crib
scene, and candles on a 'sand tray' for people to light, signifying
the 'Light of the World' and star shaped cards for folk to write a
short prayer to display on a board. At the end of the afternoon the
prayers were gathered and taken to one of the Epsom Churches for a
blessing on the following Sunday.
The tent was never left without someone
to talk with or pray with and a supply of suitable literature
available.
To make the tent more attractive a
bunch of helium balloons was donated and displayed in an
eye-catching way according to the weather!!
Even more eye-catching when one got
away and floated on the breeze over the housetops!!
There was also a large notice
inviting people in.
Was it worth it? YES, OF COURSE.
Even though we had only a small trickle
of visitors, most were interested in Fairtrade or books.
Nevertheless it was a Witness, and wonderful to think that in the
midst of commercialism God was honoured. It was also good for the
helpers as most of us met someone new to them and especially when
the clergy graced us with their presence.
I hope if we do it again in 2009 we
shall have even more enthusiasm and support.
Meg Murrant of the Epsom
Baptist Church
Christmas in the Market Place 2008
It seems rather invidious to be writing
when I was unable to attend any of the Christmas in the Market Place
Days, but I want to thank each person who got up early, stood in the
December air, put up tents, helped on stalls, enabled people to
pray, put down tents, provided goods for sale etc etc., and prayed.
There will be a meeting in the New Year to consider how things went
- Brian Angus will be suggesting some dates for this meeting - but
for now I am just really glad that the Churches in Epsom had a
prominent place in the market place during this Advent season.
Happy Christmas to you all.
Rev. Sue Bull - Chairperson of
Churches Together in
Epsom
Christmas in the Market Place 2008
Churches Together in
Epsom are
planning to have a tented site over the Christmas 2008 period, offering
visions of Christ through displays, literature, books and Christian food for
thought. Plus the opportunity to enquire about the impact of a Christ like
role in the shoppers busy life style and the frenetic age we live in.
Tentative plans are in hand
to erect every Thursday a tent offering visions of Christ through displays,
literature, books and Christian food for thought. Plus the opportunity to
enquire about the impact of a Christ like role in the shoppers busy life
style and the frenetic age we live in.
This will require helpers to
erect the tented display early and of course remove at the end of the day,
and then we need a rota of volunteers to man the displays and products and
of course provide helpful information.
