St Mary’s Church, Sheriffhales keeps ancient ‘greening’ tradition alive

St Mary’s Church in Sheriffhales, with the help of Sheriffhales Community Choir, are inviting people to welcome the Christmas season, as villagers have done for centuries, at an Advent Greening Festival on Sunday 1st December.

Greening is the Christian tradition of decorating the church with evergreens such as holly and ivy and usually takes place on the first Sunday of Advent. The church will be adorned with fragrant evergreen decorations and a Christmas tree.

Evergreen plants hold special symbolism for Christians (although their use in winter celebrations pre-dates Christianity, dating back to Roman and pagan times).

The traditional ‘greening’ of the church has probably taken place since medieval times. St Mary’s is hoping visitors will help keep this tradition alive and preserve the church at the heart of the community.

The festival begins at 3pm with a greening church service including seasonal favourites such as the ‘The holly and the ivy’ and some beautiful advent music from Sheriffhales Community Choir.

After the service at 4pm, the choir will be selling their hand made door wreaths as well as home made produce. Visitors can try their hand at some festive crafts and enjoy seasonal refreshments including warming mulled winter punch and hot chocolate. There will also be a raffle for some fabulous Christmas hampers and a bottle tombola.

Proceeds from the event will go to the church for fundraising for essential repairs to the building which dates back in parts to the 12/13th century.