Christmas Carols & Mince Pies at Sefton Council - what happened?
I signed off my article in the November newsletter describing difficulties with finalising our Christmas Carols programme having been let down by a choir we had booked. Our group was well outside our comfort zone, but somehow sensed God was still in control of how this event would come together. We were reminded that not every last detail was planned (humanly speaking!) that first Christmas.
Well we did find a small, local choir (of 4 members!). A few inflatable festive characters at the front added to the lighter feel of our Christmas Carols! Around 70 people came along to support the event - colleagues, councillors and friends. We had a short but fantastic talk from a local church leader, and the father of one of our group members agreed to lead the community singing of our carols. The mince pies afterwards went down a treat and so many were appreciative of the whole event.
It is always a privilege for us to host at our Christmas Carols a team of men with additional needs who make wooden table decorations and display their wares with donations going to the Mayor's charity, and we are delighted when the Mayor is able to attend.
I had been thinking of asking the Chief Executive to promote our event at his regular 'Teams Hour' where staff get to ask him any question. As his session was due to finish close to the start of our event I decided there was little point in asking him to publicise it.
He turned up at our Christmas Carols and told me he had brought the time of his session forward so it would not clash with the Carols which he said he promoted both at the start and the end of his Teams Hour - we are profoundly blessed to have support right from the top of the Council. And we are grateful to God for ensuring that our event came together at the right time (despite our anxiety!) and that it was appreciated by many.