Don’t Be Alone This Christmas – River Of Life Church, Dumfries

The annual River of Life Christmas Day meal is back to normal again this year, having taken a different form in 2020 due to the pandemic.

The Church is inviting anyone who finds Christmas difficult, or would otherwise be alone, to a Christmas Dinner at 1pm, following the Christmas Day service at 11am. They don’t need to come to the service to come to the meal, but are welcome if they’d like to. There’s no need to pre-book either – there’ll be plenty for everyone!

Pastor of the Church, Mark Smith, says, “It’s been a tough year for everyone, but especially challenging for people living on their own or of limited means. At River of Life, we love to make life better for people and what better day to do that than Jesus’ birthday! There’s no need to miss out; we’d love you to come along on the big day. More than anything, we guarantee a warm welcome to anyone and everyone on Christmas Day. We’ve got presents for all ages too!

“We’re deeply grateful to generous individuals and organisations who have helped make this possible – especially the Dumfries Lions Club and staff at Scottish Power’s Leafield Road offices.

“In addition to our Christmas Day Dinner, we’ll also be distributing free food on Christmas Eve. With the stores closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day, they’re letting us have loads of lovely food which would otherwise be thrown away before reopening. The initiative is managed through national food agencies and runs according to their rules and our Covid protocols. We invite people to collect for others in the community too – we want it all to be used and no one to go hungry or be in need over Christmas! Doors open at 6.30pm, running through to around 8pm.

“We so appreciate our team of enthusiastic volunteers and anyone who’d like to support either of the events is very welcome to do so by contacting me on 07710 111727 or the Church contact line: 01387 264646.”