A Coastal Christmas Update

Hello All,

Beyond Belief Worship:

“Hope you have a very happy and restful Christmas!” called the deputy headteacher of one of our Eastbourne Junior Schools as we finished our Christmas Worship and made our way out the door. I think she was reflecting how every teacher and school’s worker feels as we edge closer to the Christmas break! It is a busy time. It’s also a very exciting time as we seek to engage children and adults alike in the wonder and truth of the Christmas story.

As the team takes our “Charity” and “Hope” Beyond Belief Christmas Worships into our 15 schools, we realise that the original gift of God’s love given to the world in the form of a wrapped-up baby, has long been surpassed (in popular culture at least) with brightly coloured North-pole characters, overflowing sacks of toys and crazy festive jumpers! 

Sadly, all the hype has caused the younger generations to miss the beating heart of the Christmas celebrations – Immanuel – God coming to be with us! That’s not to say that the wonder of Christ’s birth is entirely lost on them, just muddled in with everything else or as yet unheard. Children respond with wonder at the story, or reply with pride when they know the answer to the questions: Who is that in the manger? Who brought gifts? Who came to see, and why did they come?

So, we smile as a child declares Rudolf to be one of the Nativity characters and work in faith that by the end of our worship, he might understand that the real Christmas Story is so much more amazing and incredible than an imaginary flying reindeer!

Please continue to pray for all the children and staff at the schools we visit, that the Christmas Story is heard, understood and engaged with in meaningful and beautiful ways. 

Other 'Beyond Belief' worships, which the team have been delivering this new school year, include the values of: Safety, Joy, Patience, Generosity and Community. It is encouraging to know that schools are hearing the good news of how the Christian message impacts our lives all year round, in every way. One teacher commented to the school after an assembly on patience on how relaxing and practical it is.

Enrichment Days:

The team have also been creating and delivering Enrichment Days at Roselands Infant School, where we told the story of Joseph and his colourful coat to all nine classes over three days back in November. It was so special to interact with the children during the puppet show and then see their unique creative flares as they designed and decorated their own multi-coloured coats!

Christmas Creative Workshops:

We have been invited into Pevensey and Westham Primary School for the last week of term to deliver both Key Stage One and Key Stage Two Christmas Workshops. We’ll be using puppets with the younger children to tell the story, whilst with the older year groups we will be leading some drama activities as well as asking them to design a new Christmas stamp featuring the Angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary.

The Night Lantern Project:

We are excited to tell you about a new project launching in the Eastbourne Hub in the new year... The Night Lantern is a brand-new children’s book written by Chrissie about a young deer called Little Red who is entrusted with the King of the Stag’s Night Lantern and asked to carry it into the darkness of the Great Wood where he starts to see things in a whole new light! It’s a story of courage and faith, told in a child friendly way. 

Please pray that there is a good uptake to the invitation of having the team tell The Night Lantern story and facilitate workshops within our local schools.

More information to come...

This Christmas, celebrate Spinnaker’s 40th Anniversary with a lasting gift that helps continue our work bringing grace, inspiration, wonder and learning to primary schools.

Click the link below to fill out our Monthly Donation Form 👇 or give a one-off gift here.

Finally, “As I headed back to the office the other day, I was met by a lady who recognised me and said: “It’s Sam from Spinnaker, isn’t it. I lift you guys up every day when I say my prayers.” - What an encouragement! (Sam Says)

Thank you so very much for your support, and may you have both a restful and revelatory Christmas, taking time to reflect again at the wonder of God made flesh.

From Chrissie Slezacek, Sam Oakes and the whole Spinnaker Eastbourne Team