Sydney's popular "Drive-thru Church' at St David’s, Forestville is back. It opened yesterday morning and is being staffed by an army of volunteers around the clock giving out Christmas stockings to passing motorists.
“It will help everyone beat the last minute rush by opening 24 hours a day, says the driver in the hot seat, the Rev Richard James, minister at St David’s. "Meeting the needs of a 24/7 society means never closing. The drive-thru church on Warringah Road, Forestville, will offer any driver who pulls in a free Christmas stocking filled with lots of fun goodies."
"In previous years, we have only been open during morning peak hour which has meant literally thousands missed out," said Richard. "This year, no one need miss out. Even if they come at 2am we will be ready for them, he said.
"Probably the best present in the stocking will be a copy of The Aussie Bible (Well, bits of it anyway!) by Sydney radio journalist Kel Richards. It retells the story of Jesus' birth, death and resurrection in "old bush venacular' and is a great introduction to the message of the Bible," said Richard. "Also included is a CD or tape of a Christmas message, sweets, a drink, literature and other goodies."
Asked why his church would do such a crazy thing Richard replied, "The story of Christmas is about God sending his son Jesus to save us and give the world hope, because of his amazing love for us. We will gladly do anything to share it with others and we have 50 cheerful volunteers who will share staffing the drive-thru non-stop for a total of 80 hours," said Richard. "Jesus came to save us and give the world hope. We will gladly do anything to share it with others," he said.
The Aussie Bible, published by the The Bible Society, tells the Christmas story in true Aussie style: "There were some drovers , camped out in a paddock nearby, keeping an eye on their mob of sheep that night. Their eyes shot out on stalks when an angel of the Lord zapped into view, and the glory of the Lord filled the air like a thousand volts of electricity. The angel said: "Stop looking like a bunch of stunned mullets. Let me give you the drum, the good oil, it's top news for the whole crew"”everyone, everywhere. Today in that little town on the hill a rescuer had been born: he is the Promised One, the King, the Lord. And here's how you'll find him: the nipper is wrapped up in a bunny rug, and lying in a food trough."
St David's drive-thru will be open from 9am Tuesday 21 December until 5pm Christmas Eve. Access is off the southern lanes on Warringah Road, the main road to Roseville Bridge from the Northern Beaches.
More information:
Richard James 02 9451 9978, ForestvilleAnglican@bigpond.com
photo courtesy of: Ramon Williams
