Imagine a Victorian Christmas…

Charles Dickens enchanted us and delighted us with his tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and the three ghosts. Victorian carols and traditions are woven into the very fabric of our modern Christmas celebrations. The mid to late 1800s was a time when Christmas, as we know it, really started to take shape.

Years ago, the Church of the Ascension celebrated a Victorian Christmas by decorating our parish hall as a Victorian street, and celebrating with a special dinner and performances. Pictures of the special event can be seen below. Inspired by that event, our parish has formed a Victorian Christmas Committee to create something new. We do not want to do a simple repeat of the event we had years ago, but we do want to be able to utilize many of the decorations and many of the themes of that event.

What we envision:

As many of you know, we have an operating budget deficit, and we rely upon both pledged income from our parishioners AND fundraising proceeds to pay our regular bills. The regular maintenance, operation, and upkeep of our parish is very expensive. We have to fundraise.

It is also critically important that we remain engaged with our local community and host events that will attract newcomers into the life of our parish. Fairs and social events can be a form of soft evangelism that allows guests to connect with us and learn who we are and what we are about. We have to engage newcomers and visitors.

What are hoping for is an event that does both. We want to raise money and we want to raise awareness of the Church of the Ascension. How do we want to do that and how can you help? Look below for more information!

Here are some of the basic ideas that have been developed by our committee so far:

  • An event that will serve as a significant fundraiser.

    A fun event that will attract and entertain people of all ages.

    Something that will grab people’s attention.

    Something that plays into our unique qualities as a parish community.

  • A Christmas-themed Friendship Fair

    Donations or tag-sale items that require months of sorting.

    Extensive outdoor elements (other than a nativity scene and Christmas lights).

    A parish-only dinner or event.

    Full days of work (like the fair).

  • Friday & Saturday

    December 11 & 12

    Doors open 5:00pm

    Programming begins 6:00pm.

    Event closes: 10:00pm

    Possible separate but related event on Sunday the 13th: Carols & Cookies

  • We want the event to be a spectacle of decorations both inside and out. Our hope is to create a “spectacle of lights” on the outside of the church; to “Clark Griswold” it if you like. Combined with a bright spotlight “star of Bethlehem” we are hoping to grab peoples’ attention from the train and to be very visible from a distance.

    Inside we want to recreate some of the Victorian street scenes we used long ago. Downstairs in the classrooms we envision creating a Santa’s workshop run by elves.

    Most of the decorations can be put up early and left up throughout the holiday season.

  • A Living Nativity (with animals!)

    A pub with beer and wine

    Specialty raffles (baskets, trees, quilts)

    A Christmas Gift Shop

    Baked Goods

    Pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus

    Food

    Children’s activities

We need your help! If you are interested in volunteering or have ideas that you would like to share, please sign up for regular updates by filling out the form on this page and come to our next planning meeting.

Next Meeting:

Tuesday, August 4 @ 7:30pm.