“What will happen at Christmas?” the churches wondered: what could they offer the people of Caversham with all the Covid-19 constraints? Only a few, mostly online, services would be possible. So, Churches Together in Caversham, 13 churches of various denominations, hatched a plan to put Christ not just into Christmas but into every home and to invite every home to come out and sing.
“We are producing a Christmas card that we are sending to every house in Caversham (16,000 addresses in the RG4 postcode area)”, said the Rev Andy Storch, curate at St John the Baptist Church and one of the planning team.
“Firstly, the card will wish people a Happy Christmas: comfort and joy at a time when both are sorely needed. Secondly, the card will tell the Christmas story in the words of the timeless carol ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’, printed inside. Thirdly, it invites us to return to our doorsteps (as we did for the NHS clap) at 6.00pm on Thursday, Christmas Eve, to sing that carol together.”
“For those staying indoors, or wanting accompaniment, a professional-level rendition of the carol will premiere at 6pm on the Caversham Churches YouTube channel.”
The YouTube channel will be available via a QR code on the card as well as the Churches Together in Caversham website www.cavershamchurch.org.uk, which also provides links to the websites of all 13 Caversham Churches involved that detail how else local churches are celebrating Christmas.