Christmas events in Shap were varied, with something for all ages.
A Christmas service was held in Wasdale sheltered housing, on
Wednesday Revd Carole Marsden led an evening of ‘Carols
with Carole’ at the Greyhound Hotel.
A service of carols by Candlelight was held in the Methodist Chapel
on Thursday evening, and was followed by refreshments. Sixty members
of the Roman Catholic community attended a Vigil Mass in the Morning
Chapel of St. Michael’s church on the afternoon of Christmas
Eve.
In the early evening there was a good attendance at the Crib Service
held in church when children were able to dress up and take part
in an impromptu Nativity play. Revd Carole Marsden welcomed everyone
and explained that the Posada had now reached the end of its journey
around the parish, and was displayed on the altar.
Mrs Marsden and Katie Hale narrated the story and the organist for
the carols was Jackie Wright. At the end of the service the crib
was blessed, still awaiting the figure of the Christ Child. Jean
Jackson and Liz Amos then spoke about the work of the Morning Star
Home in Tamil Nadu, India. The priest in charge of the home is a
friend of Mrs Amos and her husband Charles, who are going on a visit
there early next year. Extracts from letters sent by the children
were read, and it was announced that the retiring collection would
be in aid of the home.
A celebration of Communion was held at Midnight when the Christ Child
was placed in the crib scene and the celebrant was Revd Carole Marsden
and the organist Janet Wood. On Christmas Day morning a short service
was held when children (of all ages) were invited to bring along
a gift to open.
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