Faith News: Christmas tree festivals

All Saints Church in Shrublands Road, Berkhamsted is holding a Christmas tree festival from Friday through to Sunday (December 12 - 14).

Forty-three trees, sponsored by local businesses and dcorated by community groups, will fill the church, which will be open from 10am-5pm on Friday and Saturday and from 2-4pm on Sunday, culminating in a carol service.

Musical entertainment will be provided by school and church choirs as well as handbell ringers and individual soloists throughout the festival.

Refreshments will be available as well as craft and cake stalls.

Admission is by programme, price £1 (children free) available from church members, at the door or from Way Inn.

Proceeds fromt the festival will be divided between DENS (Dacorum Emergency Night Shelter and Foodbank), the Hospice of St Francis and the church’s Youth Worker project.

Festive singing

An ad hoc group from Churches Together in Hemel Hempstead will be carol singing in the Marlowes shopping centre tomorrow (Thursday December 11) from 12.30 - 1.30pm. They will return at the same time on December 18. Everyone is welcome to join in, and to bring your own instruments as well.

Christmas tree festival in Boxmoor

With a theme of O Come All Ye Faithful, the Chrsitmas tree festival at St John’s Church, Boxmoor starts on Saturday (December 13) and lasts until Wednesday (December 17). More than 40 trees have been sponsored and decorated by local schools, organisations, individuals, church groups and businesses .

The vicar, the Reverend Mike Macey said: “There is nothing quite like a well decorated tree to get one in the mood for Christmas and, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and the dedication of Jean Garner and her organising team, we have over 40 trees displayed to help us enter into the festive mood.”

Admission is by programme, £3 per person, accompanied children free. Refreshments will be available each day of the festival.

The first day, Saturday, the festival will be open from 10am - 4pm with carols around the trees at 2pm.

Sundayopening is 11am - 5pm; Monday 10am - 5pm; Tuesday 10am - 7pm; and the final day, Wednesday, 11.30am - 5pm.

Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Catholics will acknowledge this feast day on Friday (December 12). Since 1531, Our Lady of Guadalupe has been the patron saint of the Mexican Republic. Historically and emotionally, she is deeply woven into the life of every Mexican. The festival actually begins a week before December 12. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the country flock to the Basilica of Ville Madero, on the outskirts of Mexico City, where the most impressive ceremonies in honour of the Virgin are held.

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