A LANTERN parade cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic has been reimagined by church members.
Like many events this year, Carterton’s annual Christmas lights switch on and lantern parade has been forced to cancel.
However, the Messy Church team at St John’s church in the town is instead organising a ‘light up the town with a message of hope’ event, which residents can do from the safety of their own homes.
The church had organised a lantern making session for families, however it instead produced DIY lantern kits for families to make at home instead.
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The idea was soon passed on to St Britius church in Brize Norton, which also asked to get involved.
Then, the ministry team came up with the idea of filming a prayer for the community, read by people from Carterton and Brize Norton, with their handmade lanterns.
The church advertised the event on social media and was soon inundated with families wanting to get involved, including two other local churches.
Over 200 lantern making kits have now been distributed by the Messy Church team.
“It was very hectic getting everything organised before we went into lockdown,” said Messy Church volunteer Liz Wood.
“The kits needed to be made up in batches and isolated before being given out in the church car park.”
The last of the filming was completed prior to the announcement of the second lockdown, with the video set to be uploaded next month.
The actual event is then set to take place on the first weekend in December when families are invited to display their lanterns in their windows.
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Although the Messy Church has been unable to meet in person since February, it has found a way to continue offering its services
Children and families worker Gary Long explained, saying: “Messy Church is a national, inter-church thing, any church can get involved.
“It can be on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and is aimed at families with young children.
“The format is pretty standard, with craft tables spread out and the children can make stuff within a theme.
“Then there’s a story read out and meals provided to the families.
“It’s a way for people to socialise and make friends and introduce the church to families.
“When lockdown first happened, we had to stop and even with social distancing, it was impossible to carry on as we would get 60 people, so there was no way we could spread everyone out.
“Instead we introduced a Messy Church bag which has about six craft activities in and families can come and collect a bag on a set day and take them home.”
For more details on Messy Church or family events, contact Mr Long on: gary@stjohnschurchcarterton.org.uk
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