Anyone wishing to celebrate Christmas Day is invited to the Alexandra Christmas Day BBQ lunch at St Enoch’s Church with the Alexandra, Clyde, Lauder Union Parish. 

Now in its sixth year, the barbecue provides an opportunity for all people no matter their circumstances to come together for a free lunchtime meal. 

Alexandra, Clyde, Lauder Union Parish Parish Minister Reverend Andrew Howley says the event is open for all. 

“For those that are housebound we are also offering a delivery service this year. 

“It also provides a way for members of the community to give back through supporting donations and by offering their time. 

“It is for everyone because Christmas is for everyone. It started as three friends who were far from family facing the prospect of having Christmas alone. 

“In the past a Community Christmas meal was held in Alexandra but this came to an end, and we stepped into the breach. 

“Two of the friends have since returned to Scotland to bring up their family.”

Reverend Andrew Howley says the Christmas Day BBQ Lunch is open to everyone.

Andrew says during this past year we have become so much more aware of the importance and reality that we are not individuals but part of community. 

“My wellbeing is not isolated from others wellbeing,” he says. “Our community is made up of many different people, some are visitors, some are transient workers, some long established residents, but for a time all can find home in Central Otago.

“Christmas for many is about coming together. To celebrate in the company of others. 

“Though for many Christmas is also a reminder that life isn’t all that they hoped it would be. 

“It may be the challenge of finding affordable and reliable housing, it may be about having a job that can sustain them, it may be broken relationships, it may be facing a first Christmas without a beloved family member at the Christmas table.”

Andrew said, as a Presbyterian Minister, Christmas is about retelling the wonderful story of the birth of Jesus Christ and the hope that story offers to all. 

“A story that has for well over 2000 years offered hope for many amidst the darkness and challenges of our world.  

“The story of God descending to be with people is remarkable in itself, to come as a vulnerable newborn baby, born in the most humblest of settings, in a borrowed food trough for animals, is astonishing.”

Everyone is welcome to the Alexandra Christmas Day BBQ at St Enoch’s Church, Alexandra.  

Andrew says the simplest thing people can do to spread Christmas cheer is spend time with people. 

“Invite people to share a coffee and a chat. Find time in the busy-ness of this season to sit down and have a conversation with a friend, a neighbour, a relative, a stranger. 

“Listen to their story and acknowledge their humanity. 

“We have all been through a challenging year, and there is still much uncertainty about what the future may bring, but as we talk to each other and share our hopes for the future and acknowledge the challenges we will all be in a much better place. 

“Remember it’s the small things that will get us through and that will build memories to sustain us into the future.”

The Alexandra Community Christmas BBQ Lunch is located in the sheltered green space area between Alexandra Community House and St Enoch's Church. 

For more information and to register for the lunch, click here. 

Images courtesy The Alexandra, Clyde, Lauder Union Parish.