Once again, this year, Trinity Cheltenham held its Christmas Carols at the Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse. This is one of the highlights of the year which gathers not only the Trinity Church family, but many guests and visitors from all around the region.

This year’s event included a number of traditional carols with new arrangements, some more contemporary songs and carols as well as some of the familiar Christmas Bible readings. This year’s program also included a brand new carol, called ‘Emmanuel’, which was written and sung by Sarah Salisbury, one of Trinity’s worship interns. Alongside the traditional readings, there were some new interpretations of Bible passages which were written by Worship Pastor Neil Bennetts, with original musical scores composed by another of Trinity’s worship interns, Tom Seymour. Other highlights of the evening were the 11 percussionists who joined the regular band (yes…making a total of 12 drummers drumming…) and the big pyrotechnic finale.

Gareth Dickinson, Trinity’s Mission and Community Pastor who helped host the event commented: “Wow, what a Christmas carol extravaganza! Great music and a heart pounding solo by Sarah Salisbury which reflected the truth of Christmas: Emmanuel God with us, compelled by his love for the world.”

Mark Bailey, Trinity’s Lead Pastor gave the talk, and reflected on the theme of the service: ‘The Gift’

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Photos by Jonathon Watkins www.photoglow.co.uk