Church hosts Christmas tree festival

 

A Cavan church has come up with a novel way of bringing together communities at this time of year by hosting a Christmas tree festival, with local groups and businesses asked to contribute a festive shrub that best represents them.

The celebration of both Christmas and community takes place at Belturbet Church of Ireland on Saturday, December 16, from 7pm.

The festival is aimed at reflecting and illuminating what is good in the local community, with everything from natural fir trees to those sculpted from recycled materials expected in what will be a magical beginning to the Christmas Season.

The event is open to families and those young and old.

“We are encouraging local businesses, schools, shops and companies around the local area to place a Christmas Tree as a representation of themselves. Its doesn't have to be what you'd call a traditional tree,” says Reverend Tanya Woods, Rector of the Annagh Group of parishes in the Diocese of Kilmore, who told The Anglo-Celt of the excitement the initiative has already stirred.

“Already we've had groups coming together, working and spending time with one another to come up with an idea for a tree. That's really what this is about, bringing communities together, and at the same time, first and foremost, worshipping God at this time of year.”

The Belturbet Community Choir will perofrming at the accompanying service, and refreshments will be served afterwards at the local Town Hall Community Civic Centre, provided for by Project Belturbet.