An Interactive Christmas at Lakemba
An Interactive Christmas at Lakemba
When two volunteers from our church had to back out at the last minute, a wave of concern hit me. I worried we wouldn’t have enough people to support Margie Powell’s Christmas event. In the end, it was just the four of us—Noriko, Helen, Melinda, and me. We were surprised to see around 30 volunteers gathered for briefing from different churches and some students from the University of Sydney. After being given our tasks, we were ready to begin what was designed as an "Interactive Christmas Journey”.
The evening was structured as a series of meaningful stops for the guests:
• The Welcome: Guests arrived at the church entrance and were led through in batches, accompanied by translators to ensure everyone felt included.
• The Story: Inside the church, exhibitions highlighted the salvation story, moving from the Garden of Eden to the death and resurrection of Jesus.
• The Hall: Just a few steps away, the Hall transformed into a space of tactile joy where guests received treats like candles, sweets, and participated in crafts.
• The Celebration: The final stop was a dinner in the courtyard, filled with the sound of a live band performing Christmas songs.
The diversity of the attendees was a beautiful reflection of the local community. I met one woman who had traveled two hours just to be there after being invited by a friend; she said she sometimes comes for the church’s fortnightly community pantry. Some were students from the church's English classes, navigating a new language and a new culture simultaneously.
The atmosphere was busy yet quietly profound. As the band played O Holy Night, I looked around at the women’s faces. I saw genuine joy and a sense of being truly "at home". There was a tangible warmth in the air.
Sitting down with Margie later that evening, we swapped stories from the night. I told her about a lady I spoke with who has been coming for many years but has only recently become a Christian believer. Margie shared a story of a mother who was too unwell to attend but sent her two children in her stead. Though the policy usually requires a parent to be present, the team made an exception.
"We've known each other for so long already," Margie explained. It struck me then why she referred to every guest during our briefing as a "friend". It wasn't just a polite term; it was a testament to the mutual trust built over years of consistent care. It’s the kind of trust where a neighbor can leave their child in your care without a second thought.My own night passed in a blur of activity. I spent my time talking to the ladies and children who came my way to learn how to simple and beautiful paper ornaments.
Leaving Lakemba, I felt incredibly blessed to see such a vibrant, living church. It was a powerful reminder to keep planting seeds of faith and to continue loving the people I minister to with the same unconditional love Jesus shows us.
Jo-Ann
