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Ale come all ye faithful - Kirk carol singing in local pub

THERE might not have been anywhere for Mary and Joseph two thousand years ago, but a Lanark minister says there is plenty of room at the inn this Christmas.

That's because members from the town's Greyfriars Parish Church will be leading a special Christmas Eve carol singing session at a local pub, in a bid to bring some festive cheer to the community.

The idea came from a member of the congregation earlier in the year, and carols will begin at the Clydesdale Inn, Lanark, at 8pm. Strathaven Brewery has also created a limited edition "Greyfriars Kirk Christmas Ale" for the occasion, which will be on sale on the night. Minister Reverend Bryan Kerr said: "Christmas Eve is always a special time in our church with our popular, and some might say lighthearted, watchnight service but this adds a whole new dimension.

"Many people might be a bit dubious about the church going into a pub and having its own ale brewed.

"However, if Jesus was here in Lanark today, I am certain that we would meet him in the most unlikely of places, possibly even in the pubs around the town, meeting and speaking to those he came across.

"The church is not saying that people need to drink to have a good time, but we are recognising that at this time of year, many people enjoy a drink with friends and we want people to hear the Good News of Christmas when they are there."

Greyfriars Church and the Clydesdale Inn hope that this new partnership will see different events come to the pub in 2010.

The church will also be holding a late night carol service at 11pm and their annual watchnight service at 11:30pm to which all are most welcome.

Last year St Matthew's Church in Perth held its watchnight service in a pub, which attracted over 300 people.

Ends.

Note to News Desks

For more information please contact Reverend Bryan Kerr on 07889 841 511.

nr/85/12/2009

Monday 21, December 2009

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