May Street Presbyterian has announced plans to extend its opening hours this Christmas. Following the lead from retail shops in the city centre, the church's cafè will now be open from 12pm until 2pm every day. The move is prompted by the desire of the congregation to reach out to the commuters and shoppers in Belfast each day.
Rev. Keith Drury, minister of May Street said, "We will be open each day this year and we will aim to have a quality Christmas environment." It is hoped that this will contrast with the usual commercial aspect of Christmas. Rev Drury remarks, "The reality is, if commercialism has taken over Christmas, it is in part due to the Church's disengaging with society, our indulgent belief that somehow a one hour shot of church caffeine on a Sunday morning should be sufficient to change society. Well it's not, not in the cities nor in the villages, more is needed. God's call to Christians is that we change the world around us."
On 8 December from 5pm - 9pm May Street will hold an olde world style Christmas event with candles, authentic costumes and a 200 year old carriage pulled by black horses which will travel around City Hall giving people lifts to and from the Church. Rev. Drury says this event was started last year and is being repeated because of requests from people in the business world, "They saw something of the vitality of Christmas, something that was pure and non-commercial. They saw the essence of Christmas and thought it was a welcome addition to life in the city centre."
May Street is also progressing with other projects, including plans for a £37 million redevelopment on the site. This will include a 'Hope and History' centre, an exciting cultural and educational interactive venue which will provide a destination for tourism.
On Tuesday evenings an informal church service has been introduced at 7.30pm. Also on a Tuesday is a new bereavement support group from 6pm-7.30pm and a support group for those going through separation or divorce from 8pm - 9.30pm. There is a short service on Thursdays as well at 1.05pm, catering for workers in the city during their lunch hour.
For more information on any of the events at May Street please email info@maystreetchurch.co.uk
Issued by Sarah Harding, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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