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Serving God in the heart of our community since 1881 St Andrew's Church, Taunton |
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Local church cancels Xmas
This is the surprising news being given by St Andrew’s Church to people living in the parish. The St. Andrew's Christmas leaflet, delivered to almost 4000 homes, seeks to overcome the 'DTB' (doormat to bin) factor by catching readers’ eyes with this surprising headline and a ‘no turkeys’ logo.
The leaflet continues: “As representatives of the people who started it all 2000 years ago, your neighbours at St. Andrew’s Church have decided to let you off Xmas entirely… You don’t have to stuff another turkey ever again.”
And there is a way of bringing a little sanity back to Christmas.
“We can’t offer you ‘buy 2 get 1 free’… but we would like to offer you a spiritual gift that will last through the New Year and well beyond. We invite you to experience Christmas as it was meant to be, with the original message of God's love intact… We hope you’ll find it a refreshing change to Xmas.“
St. Andrew's Church, the leaflet suggests, is the place to hear this special message, and provides details of all Christmas services.
Overcoming the ‘doormat to bin’ factor
Parish Priest Revd Julian Smith said: "We all get a lot of leaflets through our letter boxes and most of those delivered to our house go straight from the doormat to the recycling bin with little more than a glance. The challenge is to catch the eye of the reader during that initial glance. We don’t have the budget to print in bright colours or use elaborate marketing techniques, so we have to rely on a few words and a single image to grab the attention. We hope that the surprising front page message of the leaflet will encourage people to read on and discover the special gift that St. Andrew’s has to offer this Christmas."
What follows is selected text from St. Andrew's Christmas leaflet 2005. To download a .pdf version of the leaflet please click the link to the left.
LOCAL CHURCH CANCELS XMAS
As representatives of the people who started it all 2000 years ago, your neighbours at St. Andrew’s Church have decided to let you off Xmas entirely.
That's right. You don't have to stuff another turkey. You don't have to buy another expensive present for a relative you only see once a year. You don't have to pore over catalogues for that 'special something' for the 'person who has everything'. You don't have to go to another office party, pull another cracker or write another card with a snowman on it - ever again.
YOU’RE EXCUSED
Sounds too good to be true? Well, maybe avoiding Xmas won't be that easy for everyone. But there is a way to put some sanity back.
We can’t offer you ‘buy now pay in February’. There’s no ‘buy two get one free’. There’s no ‘free gift wrapping service’.
But we would like to offer you a gift. It’s a spiritual gift that will last through the New Year and well beyond.
We invite you to experience Christmas as it was meant to be. Christmas without the pricetags and glitter, but with the original message of God's love intact.
This Christmas, come to one of the services listed in this leaflet. If you're an occasional church goer, or if you haven't been in the last 2000 years, you'll still be very welcome. We hope you'll find it a refreshing change from 'Xmas'.
OUR CHURCH IS FOR LIFE(not just for Christmas)
St. Andrew’s is here for you 365 days a year. We’ve been a part of local life, serving God in the heart of our community since 1881.
One of the first things that many people comment upon is the prayerful atmosphere and sense of calm within the church. Perhaps this is why such a wide cross-section of people find a spiritual home with us. St. Andrew's people are a true cross section of our local community. This diversity helps to make our church a wonderful place to worship, and a source of welcome and acceptance.
Our church exists to enable questioning, open-minded people to discover for themselves the significance and extraordinary love of Jesus Christ.
There’s a place for you at St. Andrew's. Just turn up at a service, contact us, or visit our website before you decide.
Remember: come as you are. Be as you are. There’ll be a seat for you!
JOY TO THE WORLD! This year, experience Christmas as it was meant to be, with the original message of God’s love intact.
Wednesday 21 December7.00pm Community Carol Service Our gift to you – come and sing your favourite Christmas carols at this service for the whole community.
Christmas Eve 24 December4.00pm Crib Service Bring the whole family for this service gathered around the crib, looking forward to the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day.
11.30pm Blessing of the Crib and the First Communion of Christmas For many people this glorious service captures the essence of Christmas. Please note that incense is used at this service. Christmas Day 25 December8.00am Holy Communion (said) A quiet, reflective start to Christmas Day.
10.00am Family Communion A Communion service for the whole family, with Christmas carols and a short talk.
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Page updated 30/09/2007
