This is a text-only version of an article first published on Monday, 7 December 2020. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
Local vicar hopes lost sheep will help make Christmas 2020
BAA-rilliant!
Christmas might look a little different this year thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, but All Saints' Church in Sutton Courtenay are making sure that the Advent and Christmas message of comfort and joy still rings out across the Parish of Damascus. The Revd.Helen Kendrick, along with the local community, have devised a novel way to reach out and share the spirit of Christmas by encouraging people to knit hundreds of 'lost sheep' which will be hidden, along with the Church of England Comfort and Joy booklet and gift tag, asking for the sheep to be returned to All Saints by the 19 December.
They will then be placed in an open air crib, ready for an outdoor Christmas Eve Crib Service (subject to Covid-19 restrictions and revisions). Speaking of the event, Revd.
Helen said,
"Christmas is a time for community and coming together and we wanted to make sure that people still had the opportunity to connect with their local church community. ""I've been amazed by the incredible skills of the local community - who knew we had so many talented knitters! But we could still do with more sheep! So, if you're a skilled craftsperson, then why not knit a sheep, it doesn't matter what they look like, we've had small, large and multi coloured sheep so far, we'd just love as many people to get involved. "If you'd like to knit for us, then do email me to let me know and I can send you a pattern. "Sheep need to be completed and with Revd.
Helen by 12 December in order for them to be quarantined ahead of them being hidden, ready for people to find and return to All Saints before the Christmas Eve outdoor service. We're keen to hear from churches and parishes about how they are keeping the Advent and Christmas spirit alive this year. If your church is organising a lovely, covid safe activity, do let our communications team know.
Diocese of Oxford - Revd Helen Kendrick hopes lost sheep will help make Christmas 2020 baa-rilliant