Outdoor carol service for community held for first time

Salvation Army holds first outdoor carol service for local community to share fresh hope for Christmas and the coming new year.

The Salvation Army was joined by local school children to once again host a Christmas carol concert for the Fitton Hill community following a year of turbulent times and uncertainty as the cost-of-living continues to grip many families.

The first outdoor carol service for The Salvation Army in Fitton Hill, over 150 people attended including children from local primary schools, Medlock Valley, St Martins and Holy Rosary, to sing carols and share in the importance of joining together to support those struggling amongst them, bringing the spirit of Christmas to the local community.

This comes as the church and charity’s annual Christmas Present Appeal ends with over 300 families seeking support as financial pressures take their toll and more people are pushed into poverty. 

Territorial Envoy Julia Anyon, church leader of The Salvation Army Oldham Fitton Hill said:

“This was our first carol service for many years, and it was lovely and humbling to see so many people come together to take part after what has been another difficult year for many who live amongst us. Our Christmas present appeal has seen one of its busiest years yet with referrals up and donations down as people have less disposable income to support those struggling around them, as they start to struggle themselves. We continue to see the financial pressures that are placed on families and the added stress that has been placed on individuals as the cost-of-living crisis rages on.

“Our Christmas carol service was to let people know that we’re here for all, we will continue to serve, and we will walk alongside people in times of crisis, offering comfort and support now and into the future.”

Along with their teachers, the school children sang alongside a traditional Salvation Army brass band made up of musicians from friends at local Salvation Army churches. 

Julia added: “The school children did fantastically, and no carol service is complete without a Salvation Army brass band and we want to thank our friends at local churches for coming along to help us share the festive joy and remind us of the significance of the incarnation of Christ, while delivering messages of hope and reconciliation in what can be a deeply stressful time of year for many people.”

The Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Present Appeal supports families who struggle to make ends meet over the festive season providing gifts for children whose families cannot put food on the table, heat their homes or pay their bills. This year physical toy donations were down compared to last year as more people than ever are pushed into poverty, but referrals to the appeal by schools and social services were up. 

The Salvation Army has a Just Giving page, dedicated specifically to its work in Oldham Fitton Hill which can be found at www.justgiving.com/thesalvationarmychristmas-2023-398and while donations of all sizes are welcome, people are encouraged to donate only what they can afford.