Advent season kicked off with a community celebration at St Barnabas Church in Khandallah, featuring a life-size Gingerbread House photobooth and festive activities.

The event, held last Saturday, aimed to bring joy and connection to the neighbourhood during what many described as a challenging year.

“Your church event is a place to cheer people up,” said Meg, a local business owner. “It’s been a really hard year for so many residents. You offer hope and support to our neighbourhood—please keep it up.”

The celebration included food stalls, play areas, and a refreshed fairy garden, providing entertainment for all ages. For many families, particularly those new to the area, it was their first opportunity to step inside a church.

“We’re here to be present in our suburb,” explained Abigail, one of the Onslow team leaders. “At our Diocese training seminar, Leading Your Church Into Growth, we learned about the 4 P's of mission: prayer, presence, proclamation, and persuasion. Everything we do begins with prayer, and this event is our way of embodying presence in the community.”

The event resonated with families from diverse backgrounds, including those from Japan, Myanmar, Scotland, the Netherlands, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Colombia, and India. Many attendees shared that the party reminded them of the cultural festivals and street celebrations they enjoyed in their home countries.

Children were especially delighted by the activities. Talulu, 9, a member of the Wellington Ballet, exclaimed, “I got extra whipped cream and sprinkles on my hot chocolate!” Ariane, 8, shared, “I played hide-and-seek in the church with my friends. Decorating the Christmas tree was such a great idea!”

Even the décor brought playful moments. Lewey, 12, laughed about the realistic wooden campfire logs: “I threw one at my brother’s head, but it was only a cushion!” Barbara, a local grandmother, shared her joy: “My granddaughter Myka didn’t want to leave and hid behind the inflatable snowman.”

Onslow Anglicans are continuing to bless the community with upcoming events, including All is Calm, a free immersive Christmas experience on Friday, December 13th, from 7:30–8:30 p.m., followed by spiced chai. The church welcomes everyone to join in the celebration of the season.