A Baptist People United in Mission.

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A Baptist PeopleUnited in Mission. Supported by
Home Mission
Across Great Britain, we are a Baptist people
united in mission. People like those at Chapel
Allerton Baptist Church in Leeds
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Chapel A (as they are known) hold their main
carol service in the local park with up to 2000
people joining in.
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Minister, Ashley Hardingham, says that carols in
the park has become a local institution for many
non-Christians it starts their Christmas for
them.
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Inspiration for the idea came from church members
Rick and Joy Walker who attended a similar event
whilst visiting New Zealand.
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The service takes four months to plan. On the day
the church sets up a stage in the park.
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The stage has professional sound and
lighting. All costs are taken out of church funds.
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Musical Director, Dave Heringshaw, arranges the
carols into different styles like jazz and funk
to make them more accessible.
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The band and choir then lead the crowd in the
carols. There are also Bible readings, a short
Christmas message and mince pies!
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At the end of the service there is a five minute
firework display. On the following Sunday the
church runs carols in the pub for 200 people.
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Home mission funded YBA are supporting and
encouraging the church and are spreading the idea
to other churches in the Association.
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Practically all of the non-Christian contacts I
have in Chapel Allerton come to carols in the
park each year. It is their expression of faith