Tokoroa Christmas Parade coordinator Tony Williams said he's disappointed by the lack of Christians supporting the annual Carols in the Park event, which coincides with the parade as part of the Tokoroa Big Weekend in December.

"I confess to being an atheist, but I will defend and promote their right to do something with their Christian festival," he said.

"It is basically their celebration. If anyone ... can get the churches to get their A into G and support Christmas, I very much would welcome it."

The Anglican bishop of Taranaki and Waikato, Philip Richardson, commended Williams on his push to keep the Carols in the Park going and said it would be sad if it were cancelled.

Some believe the decrease in religious affiliation may be affecting support for celebrating Christmas in some communities.

Statistics New Zealand data from the 2001, 2006 and 2013 censuses shows a decline in people saying they are Christian and an increase in people saying they have no religion.

Richardson says there is a difference between cultural adherence - people who would call themselves Anglican due to their family history - and those who would say they attend church on a regular basis.

He says his church's own data contradicts the census figures. It shows actual church attendance has increased by 7 percent over the past 10 years.

"What we know is that on the whole, our church attendances were declining, then plateaued and have now started to increase."

He has seen a gradual increase in both regions in participation in traditional Christmas activities such as Christmas carols.

But he concedes it does vary from community to community.

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• Image: violetology.com

The show is at Pompallier Mission, the Heritage New Zealand property in the Bay of Islands. Continue reading

The prioress of the community, Mother Cecelia, said five years ago there were 18 sisters in the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of the Apostles community.

Now that number has climbed to 31. It includes four new postulants who joined the order this week. Another two are due to join next year.

The community is multicultural, with sisters coming from Canada, Germany and the Netherlands, as well as the United States.

This diversity is reflected in the choice of songs included in the album, which is called Caroling at Ephesus.

Although most are in English, there are "two in Latin, and one each in German, French, Polish and Spanish.

"Along with a little help from my mother, who is Polish by birth, there are enough speakers here of each language now to guide us through the pronunciation," Cecelia said.

"While Latin is easy (we chant in Latin everyday) the others certainly added a challenge to the recording," she said.

The carols include old favourites like God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, O Holy Night, and O Come All Ye Faithful as well as a Christmas poem written by G.K. Chesterton.

Called "Carol of the Christ Child", the sisters set the poem to music themselves.

Source

• CNA
• Image: You Tube