Residents from Mixenden and Illingworth will be joined by the Rt Revd Jonathan Gibbs, Bishop of Huddersfield, this Saturday to celebrate the coming of Christmas with ‘Beer and Carols’.
The evening will feature a performance from Metanoia, the Vicar’s ‘loud Christian worship’ band, along with the final judging for the Nativity Christmas Card competition.
‘Beer and Carols’ is being held in the main body of the Church of the Holy Nativity, Mixenden, and the local Scout Master will be close at hand to pull the pints.
Revd Robb Sutherland, Vicar of Mixenden and Illingworth, says, “Over the years, all of the pubs and other public meeting places have shut. Our area doesn’t have anywhere to left to meet socially.
"Holy Nativity is such an important part of the community as it is a place where people are able to come together – whether that be young mums at the Little Angel’s Toddler Group or The Scouts in the evening.
“So last year we decided to host ‘Beer and Carols’," Revd Robb continues.
“I applied for a license and bought a barrel of White Dragon beer and a few bottles of wine.
“The doors are open to anyone and everyone to come together and celebrate the birth of The Christ Child.”
This year's event will begin with the children’s songs which Revd Robb will lead, before a small singing group from the congregation will lead everyone in carols.
Revd Robb says, “The idea is that the whole room will be enjoying themselves singing traditional carols in a manner akin to the way they were originally done - in the pub with merriment, fun and laughter.”
The carols will be followed by a short speech from Bishop Jonathan and the evening will end with a performance by Revd Robb’s band, Metanoia, who play at the church’s monthly Rock Mass.
The band will be playing a mixture of traditional carols that have been rocked up and other Christmas songs by bands like Slade and The Darkness.
Metanoia will also welcome two young people on stage to join them – a young girl who will sing ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, and a young man, who is also Revd Robb’s music pupil, playing the guitar for ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’.
During the evening, Revd Robb will also announce the results of the Nativity Scene Drawing competition, which was launched on Sunday at the church’s Scout Parade service.
All are welcome to attend ‘Beer and Carols’ on Saturday 19th December between 7pm and 9pm.
Mixenden’s next Rock Mass will also take place on Sunday 20th December at 6pm. Tony Macpherson will be presiding.