Enjoy Christmas with friends

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Enjoy Christmas with friends

THE combined churches of Meeniyan and the surrounding area will host their tenth consecutive Christmas lunch on Christmas Day.
The lunch will again be held at the Meeniyan Uniting Church in Geale Street and is for people in the communities who would be without family or friends on Christmas Day.
Tess Parkinson from Leongatha went to the lunch for the first time in 2012 and plans to attend again this year with her next door neighbour.
“My family live too far away. I have some in Western Australia and in Ararat and they are all busy doing their own thing and it is a long way to go,” she said.
Ms Parkinson said the atmosphere on the day was just like one big happy family and the food is delicious.
“It was beautiful, a really nice way to spend Christmas. Everybody talked to one another and there was singing and carols,” she said.
“They didn’t miss out on anything at all, they were marvellous.”
Although family is too far away for Ms Parkinson to visit over Christmas, she said the day at Meeniyan was everything you could want for Christmas.
“Everyone was just so interested in you and happy. It was just a terrific day altogether,” she said.
“Somebody said there was going to be some improvements made to the lunch this year, but I can’t see how it could improve because it was just perfect.
“So we will have to wait and see. Maybe Santa Claus is going to visit.”
A full traditional Christmas lunch is provided with music by the church musicians and singers. Transport to and from the church can be arranged if required.
All guests will receive a small present.
It is a heart-tearing concern that some of the guests often comment this is the only Christmas gift they receive.
The event is aimed at anyone who would not have family of friends to celebrate Christmas Day with.
As an indication of how many such people there are in our community at the very first Christmas Day lunch in 2004 there were 18 in attendance and the last two years there has been between 70 and 80 including children.
“It is not just for older people. There are young ones there too which really brings together the whole feeling of family,” Ms Parkinson said.
All labour and services are provided on a volunteer basis and the food is provided by the local churches, residents and some of the local retail operators.
Anyone seeking more information and/or interested in attending is asked to contact Bill on 5683 2482 or Gillian on 0439 659 594.
Bookings for the lunch are essential to enable catering to be arranged.

Great Christmas: Tess Parkinson, who is 95, will be once again attending the combined churches of Meeniyan Christmas lunch this year.

Great Christmas: Tess Parkinson, who is 95, will be once again attending the combined churches of Meeniyan Christmas lunch this year.

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Posted by on Dec 17 2013. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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