Preserving Tradition - - - Embracing Change
Make us part of your Christmas
Part of your Christmas traditions
Long before Saint Nicholas was delivering secret gifts to the poor and morphed across the centuries into the jolly white bearded guy in the red outfit by a Coca Cola marketing man or Queen Charlotte who decorated the first royal Christmas tree and with the help later Queen Victoria & Prince Albert brought about their popularity becoming the centre piece Christmas for most of us and they all culminated for one reason, to celebrate the birth of Jesus
These traditions along with our own that we incorporate into our Christmas festivities, some passed down from our families, new ones experienced when families join. They are part of us, part of our Christmas year after year…
…well not always.
As we grow and life changes some of those traditions are no longer relevant. Children grow and even the most fun loving teenager does not want to be reminded of the video you filmed of them falling off their new bike or ripping of the wrapping paper in a excitable rage to see what’s hidden underneath the wrapping paper.
If you hanker to relive some of those past Christmas memories, then we may just have the reminder you need…
Send some joy this Christmas
For some Christmas cards are a thing of the past, for others they bring thoughtful sentiment at this special time of year.
This year 'be bothered' to send seasons greetings to those who would welcome a card and remind them they are very much remembered this year.
We have a great selection of quality Christmas cards to choose from and 100% of the proceeds go to our fundraising, not just a small proportion.
We have new designs including cards featuring the church.
Go on make someone smile this year.
On sale now at the church and all our services and events.
Christmas Tree Festival
Show us your Christmas centrepiece
It would nt quite be Christmas without a tree.
So with that in mind, there are some who are unable to whether through lack of enthusiasm or space. Well we have both by the bucket loads.
Help us fill the church space and create a forest of Christmas trees to delight everyone. Traditional, contemporary, real spruce, artificial, cotton buds, pine cones your tree can be made from anything and decorated in whatever theme or style you wish.
For further information and to book in your tree, click on the pic and email Sally for your entry or message 07949794843
Make this one of your Christmas traditions.
Set up and finish
The church will be open from 10am until 5pm on Friday 11 December to set up your tree. Please have your tree fully assembled and decorated by 5pm. This will enable us to sweep the carpet of glitter etc and prepare the church for the “switch on” at 7pm.
The festival will close at 5pm on Sunday 13 December. Please remove your tree and all decorations between 5pm and 7pm. If this is not convenient, please contact Sally.
There is a car park and a toilet available on site.
Terms + Conditions
- Trees can be real or artificial.
- There is no restriction on height or width of your tree.
- All tree lights must be LED and battery operated – for the mass “switch on” we ask that someone is available to switch your tree lights on.
- There are NO 240v sockets available.
- We may need to move some trees before the Sunday service.
- Please feel free to promote your business / organisation with your own literature.
Our first Christmas event of the season is perfect to get you in the mood for the busy month without the stress of a busy town high-street on a December Saturday, something for all the family.
We rely on many donations and volunteers for our Christmas Fayre, if you have items to spare, donate, make cakes or can help out on a stall we would love to hear from you.
It would nt quite be Christmas without a tree.
So with that in mind, there are some who are unable to through lack of enthusiasm or space.
Well we have both by the bucket loads.
Help us fill the church space and create a forest of Christmas trees to delight everyone. Traditional, contemporary, real spruce, artificial, cotton buds, pine cones your tree can be made from anything and decorated in whatever theme or style you wish.
Christmas Trees can be real, artificial or made from alternative materials to create your ideal tree shape. Lights must be battery LED if illuminating. If you would like to enter click on the tree and email Sally Hillman.
The BIG Christmas Singalong returns after last years first time event.
A great evening of singing your favourite Christmassy songs from past decades.
North vs South isle sing off, plenty of movement with the 12 days of Christmas amongst other great well known songs.
Register for your Free tickets, available 14th Nov.
For those who prefer a less commercial Christmas and enjoy a fuss free festive period we will be again hosting ‘Listen to Christmas’ an evening where you can drop into the church and listen the beautiful voices of our countries finest choirs sing carols over the sound system. Feel free to light a candle or leave a prayer for a lost loved one or just enjoy the music. The church will be open 6.30pm to 8.30pm feel free to call in anytime and listen.
If one of the biggest services of the year does not make you feel warm inside, then I suspect Jacob Marely will be paying a visit soon. Have you finished the Humbugs yet? With the church a glow with candles and the Christmas tree standing tall, the carols we know from church, school and films are sung together in celebration of the real reason for the season. Fifty minutes tops then out comes the Mulled wine and mince pies. The Candlelight Christmas Carol service always does the job.
Onto Christmas Eve and it’s our Crib Service. With a plan in hand to tell the ‘Story of Christmas’ with the help of children and their families. The plan goes out the stain glass window and a new version materialises into how Joseph along with Mary number one and two travelled to Bethlehem, was awoken by the bright light of half a dozen angel Gabriel's, a startled lonely shepherd (never enough shepherds) with lamb in tow arrives, followed by the three Kings and a couple of substitutes (we need more crowns) without their camels.
Entertaining, funny and heart-warming. Nativity memories?
Our Christmas services commence with the first Sunday of advent on the 6th December.
Christmas Shopping
Click on the gift
Did you know that whenever you buy anything online – from your weekly shop to your annual holiday – you could be raising free donations for our re-ordering fund with easyfundraising? There are over 8,000 retailers on board ready to make a donation – including eBay, Argos, John Lewis & Partners, ASOS, Booking.com and M&S – and it won’t cost you a penny extra to help us raise funds.
All you need to do is: 1. Go to St Augustine's Church, West Monkton Fundraising | Easyfundraising and join for free. 2. Every time you shop online, go to easyfundraising first to find the site you want and start shopping. 3. After you’ve checked out, the retailer will make a donation to our fund at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.
Take some of the pressure off and shop online
There are thousands of brands and online shops for you to browse from.
Whether your weekly food shop, holiday destination the other side of the globe or a replacement food mixer to make more cakes at our events.
Just remember to shop via easyfundraising website sit back, your delivery is in it's way along with our donation.