The Parish Centre at All Saints’, Antrim, was positively brimming with Christmas spirit on Friday 2nd December, 2022 when it hosted the Destination Christmas event, organised by the Diocese of Connor Youth Forum.
There were Santa hats, reindeer horns and Christmas jumpers galore, as 80 young people came together to have festive fun and share in worship.
‘Destination’ is a series of events run by young people for young people, and while the young people took the lead, their leaders and clergy were also seen to be having a great time!
There was representation from parishes right across the diocese on the evening which began at 7pm with pizza and soft drinks for all, before the young people split into three groups for a variety of activities.
There was dodgeball and a game involving a net and lots of snowball-like balls in the main hall, gingerbread house building upstairs (with a lot of necessary finger licking!) and a variety of tabletop games in another section of the hall.
At around 8.30pm, the groups all converged in the main hall to worship together in song, led by the youth band from the United Parish of Christ Church and St John, Ballyclare.
Diocesan Youth Officer Christina Baillie said: “We were delighted to have so much support from across the diocese for Connor Youth Forum’s Christmas event, with 14 parishes attending.
“The young people from the Youth Forum planned the evening and led each aspect with such confidence and ability. We are so grateful to have amazing young people like them in our parishes!”
Thanking the band for leading worship, Christina added: “It was such a blessing and everyone really engaged well!”
Before heading back to their parishes, the young people and their leaders enjoyed some delicious hot chocolate.
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