News

Rossorry Festival of 175 Christmas Trees

 


Thousands of people have been enthralled at the Festival of 175 Christmas Trees which ended at Rossorry Parish Church on Sunday 27th November.

An Advent Carol Service concluded the four days of the Festival which had been sponsored by the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel and Lodges and supported by the business community, charities, community groups, schools and churches.

The event was organised by Rossorry Parish to mark their 175th anniversary year and to raise money for their parish building fund and support a number of charities.

The target of 175 Christmas trees was exceeded with over 200 on display in the church, adjoining marquee, a stables building and the parish hall.

There were so many visitors arriving on Sunday afternoon that the PSNI had to close a number of approach roads because of the traffic congestion.

At the Advent Carol Service on Sunday evening, attended by the First Minister, Arlene Foster; M.P. for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Tom Elliott as well as representatives from a number of charities, the rector, Canon Dr. Ian Ellis, said the Christmas Tree Festival gave Rossorry Church an opportunity to present the Christian hope and to shine a light on the work of many charities, community groups, schools and churches which seek to transform our world for good and to extend the kingdom of God."

'We come now to the end of our Festival and we give thanks to God that he has blessed us more than we might ever have imagined.

"We are so glad that this has been the response - glad because our theme was Joy to the World and in a way this festival has brought so much joy to so many lives as we approach the season of Christmas. Our lovely outdoor lighting and the star on the church and the lights on the trees have spoken so profoundly of the light of Christ which we trust will continue to shine from Rossorry Parish Church.'

Among those taking part in the service were former rectors, Archdeacon Cecil Pringle and Dean Arthur Barrett as well as Father Brian D'Arcy from the Graan.

Concluding, Canon Ellis added: 'While this was mostly about fundraising and doing something positive for the community and also something exciting and enjoyable together - all of this is about bringing Glory to God. We do trust that the Light and Joy of the Saviour has also been made known. "Many people have visited our festival. My prayer is that they have experienced something of the presence of the living God, the love of his Son and the living Spirit of his church. Perhaps some may return on an ordinary Sunday here or elsewhere and pick up where they left off and join us in the journey of faith in the one who brings Joy to the World.'