29 November: 'Reclaim Christmas' day in Birmingham

"We want to remember the value of a gift is not measured by how much money it costs. At Christmas we remember the gift of Jesus - the most wonderful gift to humanity - was not wrapped in cellophane or badged with a designer label." - Bishop David Urquhart

The Big Green Give-Away

Shoppers in the West Midlands are being urged to stop before they shop - or pray now and buy later - as the Diocese of Birmingham prepares for a day of Advent Action on Saturday November 29th.

On one of the busiest shopping days of the year, Birmingham Cathedral will host the big green give-away offering an extra present to those passing through the Cathedral grounds.

The Diocese is now recruiting 'pilgrims' to bring gifts to the city centre that can be given away to shoppers who will them be asked to give away the freebie to a friend or neighbour as a Christmas present.

On November 29th pilgrims will talk to Birmingham Cathedral carrying with them their gifts for the give-away. There will be a short service of lament at 10.45 am led by the Bishop of Birmingham. Operation Noah's Mark Dowd will preach at the service which will be followed by the Green Give-Away.

The timetable for the day is as follows:

9.00 am - Pilgrims gather at household recycling centres around the city for a very short act of worship

9.30-10.30 am - Pilgrims walk/bus/cycle to the city centre bringing things from their home that they have never used

10.45 am - Short service of lament in Birmingham Cathedral

11.15 am onwards - All the donated goods are given away to people shopping in the city centre - with the request that they use them as a Christmas present for a friend or neighbour

Also - from 12 noon onwards - a craft workshop to be confirmed

4.00 pm - Evensong - a celebration of creation and creativity

The Diocese of Birmingham is looking for pilgrims, artists and musicians/singers to get involved. Want to know more or volunteer to participate? Come to the briefing on 21st October, 10 am to 12 noon  at B1 Breathe. See www.b1breathe.net/contact.html for directions.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Jessica on Jessica@birmingham.anglican.org.

Download this information as a pdf. Post it in your church, share it with your friends and family - help get the word out!

Click here for more information on Operation Noah's 'Reclaim Christmas' campaign.

November 29th is also Buy Nothing Day!