Last Sunday, we hosted our annual Christmas Party at St B's. For me, it’s always one of the highlights of the year.
It’s so much more than just a festive event – it’s an opportunity to live out our mission of being a church with open doors and welcoming hearts. This party is a significant touchpoint with our community. When we talk about evangelism, the first step is always building connections and relationships. That’s exactly what this event is about. It allows people to step into St Barnabas, experience the joy of the season, and feel that sense of belonging.
What makes this event even more special is the way it strengthens our church family. This isn’t something I even lead, as it’s run by a team of church members. Our volunteers step up in incredible ways, taking ownership of the event and putting their hearts into it. It’s beautiful to see how serving together deepens their connection to each other and to the church.
Events like this are vital for shaping who we are as a church. They help us build a culture of invitation, where extending a welcome becomes second nature. Whether it’s inviting friends to the Christmas Party or other events, we’re creating a rhythm of openness that flows into everything we do. This culture of invitation aligns perfectly with the Haere Mai project, which focuses on being a church that says, “You are welcome here”. The Christmas Party is a practical expression of this vision – a “first step” for people to connect with us. Over time, these small steps build trust and open doors for deeper relationships and encounters with Jesus.
One of the key things that make this event work is that we shut down services on the day we hold this event. The Christmas Party is our service, our way of worshipping God through engaging in his mission. By not having services, it means that our whole church is focused on the mission and purpose of this event.
The impact of this event doesn’t stop when the decorations come down. It leaves a ripple effect, both in our community and within our church. It strengthens our sense of purpose and brings us closer together. When we put the effort into events like this, it’s a catalyst for good things – relationships are built, faith is shared, and the love of Christ is made tangible. As I reflect on Sunday, I’m filled with gratitude – for the volunteers who made it happen, for the families who came, and for the Spirit of God at work among us. The Christmas Party might be over for this year, but its impact will carry on through continuing to grow our culture of invitation and connection.
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We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
Last Sunday, we hosted our annual Christmas Party at St B's. For me, it’s always one of the highlights of the year.
It’s so much more than just a festive event – it’s an opportunity to live out our mission of being a church with open doors and welcoming hearts. This party is a significant touchpoint with our community. When we talk about evangelism, the first step is always building connections and relationships. That’s exactly what this event is about. It allows people to step into St Barnabas, experience the joy of the season, and feel that sense of belonging.
What makes this event even more special is the way it strengthens our church family. This isn’t something I even lead, as it’s run by a team of church members. Our volunteers step up in incredible ways, taking ownership of the event and putting their hearts into it. It’s beautiful to see how serving together deepens their connection to each other and to the church.
Events like this are vital for shaping who we are as a church. They help us build a culture of invitation, where extending a welcome becomes second nature. Whether it’s inviting friends to the Christmas Party or other events, we’re creating a rhythm of openness that flows into everything we do. This culture of invitation aligns perfectly with the Haere Mai project, which focuses on being a church that says, “You are welcome here”. The Christmas Party is a practical expression of this vision – a “first step” for people to connect with us. Over time, these small steps build trust and open doors for deeper relationships and encounters with Jesus.
One of the key things that make this event work is that we shut down services on the day we hold this event. The Christmas Party is our service, our way of worshipping God through engaging in his mission. By not having services, it means that our whole church is focused on the mission and purpose of this event.
The impact of this event doesn’t stop when the decorations come down. It leaves a ripple effect, both in our community and within our church. It strengthens our sense of purpose and brings us closer together. When we put the effort into events like this, it’s a catalyst for good things – relationships are built, faith is shared, and the love of Christ is made tangible. As I reflect on Sunday, I’m filled with gratitude – for the volunteers who made it happen, for the families who came, and for the Spirit of God at work among us. The Christmas Party might be over for this year, but its impact will carry on through continuing to grow our culture of invitation and connection.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
