** The River of Life: Press Release **
For several years now, The River of Life Church, by the Railway Station in Dumfries, have invited people who would be alone for Christmas, to spend it with others, through a Christmas Day Dinner. This year, the event goes a big step further, by combining with the local Salvation Army Corps.
The Salvation Army, based in the Citadel on the Whitesands, Dumfries continues a great work week by week, by befriending and providing free food to many people.
Mark Smith, Senior Pastor of the River of Life Church said; “Every Christmas we have an open door for absolutely anyone to come to the for the meal, or even to join our team of enthusiastic volunteers on the day. Joining forces with the Salvation Army is great – it means we can all help even more people and do it even better. It’s always amazing to see the difference it makes to people for whom Christmas would otherwise be an ordeal. When everyone seems to be having fun, it’s tough to feel as though you’re the only one not! At this event, we not only make sure everyone has a good meal, with all the trimmings, but also have a lot of fun in the process, like every family should.
“We have a service at 11am on Christmas Day too, and everyone is welcome down to our building next to the railway station for that, but they can just arrive for the meal at 1pm if they’d rather. Of course, people are also welcome to the Christmas Day service without staying on for the meal, if they have other plans.
Major Terri Holroyd, who heads up the Salvation Army’s work in Dumfries says, “The Salvation Army in Dumfries is very committed to helping people over Christmas and throughout the year. Getting together with the folks from River of Life is a real joy. The more that Churches work together to proclaim the good news of Jesus, the better, especially at this time of year as we celebrate His birth.”
The event coordinator, Bokani Chaya said, “We love the fact that Social Services, Bethany Christian Trust, First Base, Churches and the all kinds of people in the caring sector are able to point people our way, when most of the other services are closed.
“We’re also very grateful to individuals and local businesses who contribute to the meal and, of course all the volunteers who donate part of their Christmas day to help in this valuable way”
Catering for the meal is a demanding job, with the team preparing for around 60 guests. Eddie Vallance is an experienced hotel/restaurant chef and is responsible for that aspect of the day, “Our volunteers are great; they don’t have to be asked to do things – they just get on and muck in as a big family together.”
There’s no charge for the meal, although people are free to donate if they wish, but there’s absolutely no expectation to do so.
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