Report Katie Street

St John the Baptist C of E Church in Burscough has organised a creative calendar of quirky, fun events to celebrate Christmas in a unique way on the theme of 'Comfort & Joy' - something we could all do with this year!

This morning, Rev Canon David Banbury told QLocal: "I am absolutely determined that Covid 19 is not going to be the Grinch that steals Christmas! Here at St John’s we are absolutely committed to giving everyone the chance to have a really merry Christmas.”

Locals will be encouraged to focus on the joy of the small things they can do together as a community.

All the events are free to join and lovely for all ages but due to 'elf and safety' (!) visitors should register on its dedicated Christmas website: www.sjbburscough.wixsite.com/christmas

Christmas Tree Festival

Focused on bringing the community together and spreading some Christmas joy, St John’s has lined up local businesses and groups to decorate their own themed trees which will form a tree-mendous Christmas Tree Trail around Burscough. It'll be perfect for any age and starts and ends at St John's entrance. Register online and you'll receive your goody bag to help you complete the trail where you’ll find surprises, QR codes and challenges along the way. It's from 5th, 6th, 12th and 13th December, 12-6pm – pre-registration essential at www.sjbburscough.wixsite.com/christmas

Carpool Karaoke Christingle

In partnership with Tesco, St John’s is organising a 'DRIVE-IN' Christingle service on 20th December. A joyful celebration service that brings families and communities together; the Christingle candle symbolises Jesus as bringing light and hope in the darkness. Keen to make sure Christmas is as special as it should be, the services will allow large numbers of people to come together in a totally Covid safe way - and certainly one we'll remember for years to come!

Choose from our 5pm or 6.45pm service, pre-registration is essential as space is limited to 100 cars per service. This is a drive-in service and only people in vehicles are able to attend. Dress yourselves up, dress your car up and share some Christmas jollyness! Register at www.sjbburscough.wixsite.com/christmas

Community Advent Calendar Online

We can't share chocolate right now but we can share some festive community cheer; St John's virtual advent calendar will be opening doors into the lives of local people with a daily Advent interviews. Listen to lots of lovely local people chat about 'Comfort and Joy' and what Christmas means to them, with some heartwarming words and some hilarious Christmas stories! Find it on its Christmas website at www.sjbburscough.wixsite.com/christmas

Christmas Windows

Do you fancy decorating your window this Christmas? Or maybe you'd enjoy a winter walk around Burscough to admire the decorated windows of other houses? St John's is co-ordinating an interactive Google map of Christmas windows decorated in the theme of 'Comfort & Joy' around the village. It could be as simple as printing off the 'Comfort & Joy' colouring in sheet and putting it in your window - or you could go wild with your own unique decoration! We all loved seeing rainbows for Key workers this summer and we'd love to keep the magic of Christmas alive with the 'Comfort & Joy' message in every house this December. Register your home and find the map at www.sjbburscough.wixsite.com/christmas

For full details of each event, click www.sjbburscough.wixsite.com/christmas
and FB page/SJBBurscough/