Glowstick Christingles

Well, it has begun.

Yesterday we had the Clergy Christmas lunch (Buzzard's Valley, near Tamworth) and today the Christingle services began.

So often we don't get to applaud the backroom team and this year I thought I'd let them take a bow before the pressure starts to tell on them. So here they are:

They are (left to right) - Roland (the organist AKA Roland MT-9) and Mac (the data manager).

The guest projector was already there (so ours went off for a mince pie and hot chocolate).

All in all we managed to get through some 350 glowsticks; use them instead of candles and:

1. There are no burns, candle wax incidents or building fires,

2. Theologically, the Christ-light is lit during the service and, still lit, taken home (an important part), and

3. You can stick them in your ears during the service (which always lowers the tone and raises the noise and engagement).

Here two of those we made earlier:

As the Carol services, Christmas assemblies and Christingle season begins - please pray for those who will be delivering them, those who will be attending them and the teachers (and parents) who are working so hard to made this yet another Christmas to remember.

And thank God that we have a nation who still does Christmas too!

Happy Adventide

ps. 'Thank You' Children's Society (now - where's my red tape and other stuff?)

What's a Glowstick?

Ray asked me what a glowstick was and so I've done a quick video to demonstrate the beastie in operation.

It's merely a stick (4" in this case) which when bent causes two chemicals to mix and give off a light. This one is blue but they come in many colours:

I hope this answers the question.

I buy them at £30 for 100 (inc delivery) and they last about 36 hrs at most, but are great for services where I'd like to have a candle but the potential for damage or harm (i.e. with smaller children) is great.

HTH