JourneyOnline
Uniting Churches across Queensland are building connections with the wider community this Christmas with Christmas tree festivals, carol services and advent workshops. One of the most spectacular is the “Stable on the Strand” project in Townsville.
From humble beginnings in 1999 with a simple nativity scene at Mt Louisa Uniting Church, “Stable on the Strand” has grown to be a city-wide festival supported by 68 individual church congregations together with corporate and community sponsorship.
Over 24,000 people visited the 2004 “Stable on the Strand”. This year’s presentation includes an air-conditioned Stable Marquee where visitors can stroll through the streets of Bethlehem as it was 2,000 years ago and experience the marketplace.
Highlights include a Jewish wedding complete with dancing, a Roman chariot with soldiers and a real camel as well as the traditional manger scene.
Post-Stable hospitality includes 10,000 free slices of Christmas cake with tea and coffee and friendly conversation
New in 2005 is a national short film competition with entries shown in a youth tent “Under the Stars” on the beach.
“Stable on the Strand” organiser Pastor Anne Harley from Mt Louisa Community Church told how last year the team had felt the need to pray for the twin cities of
Townsville and Thuringowa.
“We established a 24 hour continuous prayer centre for the city for 21 days leading up to the event,” she said.
Visitors to the Stable were invited to write a prayer on a prayer wall and Ms Harley was amazed that over 6000 prayers were offered.
“As families leave the stable they are offered a Christmas blessing by the pastors, ministers and priests of the city and receive a gift candle and an invitation to Christmas Church services,” said Ms Harley.
Uniting Church member and publicity coordinator for the event Lena Crane said many people fro out of town have traditionally been part of the crowd of “Stable on the Strand” visitors.
“Visitors coming to Townsville are invited to come and see the Stable while they are here on holiday during the period 18th to 24th December,” she said.
“If they can’t get to Townsville people can visit the website at www.stableonthestrand.com.au.”
Photo : Real actors and real babies make the Stable on the Strand an authentic experience Photo supplied
