Neighbourhood Carol Services

For decades, members of The Salvation Army in Gloucester, and indeed around the world, have been celebrating Christmas with others in their locality: leading large carolcade events attended by thousands, carol services in residential homes for the elderly and playing carols under street lamps.

In Gloucester, we would like to help you to celebrate Christmas in your own street or neighbourhood. Neighbourhood Carol Services (NCS) are a development of The Salvation Army in Gloucester, providing an opportunity for a whole community to join together in a Christmas celebration in the heart of their neighbourhood. Combining elements of a traditional carol service with the idea of a street celebration, we hope you will find a way to encourage your community to join together in this way.

What is a Neighbourhood Carol Service?

Picture in your mind a group of neighbours, maybe 20-30, maybe more, joining together where they live, in their street, sharing Christmas readings and refreshments, and singing carols with the support of a group of Salvation Army musicians. The event might last an hour, but might be longer, with the neighbours opening their homes for the children to make Christmas decorations together in an open garage perhaps, or to serve warm drinks and mince pies to each other.

Resource Pack

The Neighbourhood Carol Service is an opportunity for you to decide what's in your Christmas celebration. This isn't an event which the Salvation Army has organised and led; we'll provide the musicians and the carol sheets, but the rest is up to you and your neighbours - a kind of DIY carol service.

A Resource Pack has been freshly prepared, packed with a host of ideas and resources to help you to plan your carol service with your neighbours - but ultimately it's your vision and enthusiasm which will turn these ideas into an evening of Christmas enjoyment with your friends. The resource pack, which is available by clicking the link to the right, contains readings and drama sketches, a list of carols, written prayers, craft ideas for children, and other ideas for ways in which you can turn your carol service into a real Christmas celebration for the whole community.

A template poster pack is also available to help you to publicise your event.

Please get in touch with The Salvation Army in Gloucester if you feel that a small group of our musicians would help your event, or if you have any other suggestions, questions or ideas. If you would like us to email you a copy of the Resource Pack, please send an email to ncs@gloucestersalvationarmy.org.uk.