Steve Carlisle, senior minister at Helensburgh and Stanwell Park Anglican Church, shares the details of the 'Combined Churches Carols in the Burgh' on Saturday, December 10
Tell us about the Christmas carols in Helensburgh.
The Combined Churches Carols in the Burgh is a celebration of Christmas. It is a free community event where we seek to pull the community together to celebrate the coming of Jesus into this world to rescue people. We love to sing carols, have great food and drinks available and fun for the kids on the night as well. This year the Combined Churches Carols in the Burgh takes place on Saturday night the 10th of December with food and entertainment from 6pm, carols from 7.30pm, and fireworks to conclude the evening and celebration together! It all takes place at Rex Jackson Oval, on the top field near the tennis courts.
Who is organising the carols?
The carols are organised by the combined churches of Helensburgh – Helensburgh and Stanwell Park Anglican Church, Hope Church and Helensburgh Baptist Church. It is a not-for-profit event where all food and drink bought on the night is put back into the event for the following years.
Who should come?
The carols are for people of all ages. Carols tend to transcend age distinctions and styles and genres of music. As we sing together songs like Away in a Manger, Once in Royal David’s City, and O Come All Ye Faithful, people young and old can participate in the tune, the words and their meaning, as we together celebrate the season. As a result, the thousands of people who attend each year are from various different age groups and stages of life. For many, it is a fun night of friendship and family as generations gather together to celebrate the season of Christmas.
What can guests expect?
On the night you can expect high-quality music you can sing along to, carols that are deep and traditional, and a few new Christmas songs as well. You can expect great fun for the kids, including glow sticks and lollies for the kids. You can expect a short talk about Jesus, who makes Christmas meaningful – as the phrase goes, ‘O Come let us adore Him’. You can also expect a great BBQ, ice-creams available, as well as snow cones, coffees and more. Finally, the evening will finish up with the best fireworks display in the Illawarra (we reckon!) to celebrate Christmas.
What should guests bring?
Come along, bring a blanket, some chairs, and fine voice ready to connect with the carols that will be sung on the evening. It will be a great night of community in the 2508 postcode as we sing with joy about the magnificent news of Christmas for us all.
For more information about the event, visit the Facebook page here.
The three organising churches are Helensburgh and Stanwell Park Anglican Church, Hope Church and Helensburgh Baptist Church
Looking for Christmas Carols closer to your area? Here is a quick list of options across the Illawarra:
- Friday, 9 December: Carols by Candlelight 2022, Albion Park Showground
- Saturday, 10 December: Figtree Community Carols, Figtree High
- Sunday, 11 December: Carols in the Street, Corrimal Community Church
- Tuesday, 13 December: Jamberoo Christmas Carols, Reid Park
- Friday, 16 December: Family Christmas Wine Down, Black Beach Kiama
- Saturday, 17 December: Carols at the Bowlo, Gerringong
- Thursday to Saturday, 22 to 24 December: Christmas Carols at the Frat, Fairy Meadow
If you want to list your carols with the Illawarra Flame for free, submit the details here