Drive-through carol service to be held at the Stadium of Light

Two churches in Sunderland are holding a drive-through carol service at the Stadium of Light to give people ‘something to look forward to’ after a tough year of lockdowns and restrictions.

New Springs City Church and Hylton Castle Mission are inviting people to join their socially distant, drivethrough carol service at the Stad ium of Light a fter restrictions halted their traditional plans.

A f te r a yea r o f l o c kd ow n s a n d res tr ic t io n s , the churches have continued to help those in need of food and those struggling mentally and financially.

New Springs Pastor Nat h a n We a v e r s a i d : “T h e drive-through carol service means we can still celebrate Christmas, but safely, and it really gives everybody something to look forward to.

"C h r i s tm a s i s n ot c a ncelled and it’s important to cheer people up after what’s been a difficult year.”

During the pandemic the church has helped with food banks and Christmas hampers to help those in need.

He added: “We can’t solve every problem but we can be kind and compassionate, this year has really proved that people do want to help those in need and we can come together to help.

"The community has been incredible and it’s so important for the church, agencies, charities and busi

The services will be held in the yellow car park of the Stadium of Light.

nesses to work together to make a difference.”

T h e c hu rc h h a s ‘n eve r

given out so many’ food parcels this year after the pandemic caused job losses and furlough schemes were introduced.

He added: “Everyone is doing what they can and being honest and asking for help when you need it is OK because things will get better.”

T h e c a ro l s e r v i c e w i l l t a k e p l a c e at t h e f o o tb a l l s tad i u m’s ye l l ow c a r pa rk o n Su n d ay, D e c e m b e r 2 0, from 5pm.

Pa s to r Nath a n s a i d : “T h e c a ro l s e r v i c e b r i n g s hope and it will help people connect once again, some haven’t seen other people in months so they can book this in their diary and look forward to it.

"People are struggling so we need to be checking on our neighbours, just saying hello and asking how they are is so important. We will b r i n g th e c o m mu n i ty to - gether at Christmas but in the safest possible way.”