New take, old story: Deacon Liz Rankin says the Spoonville Nativity garden at the Mornington and Mt Martha Anglican Church gives children a greater insight. Picture: Gary Sissons
THE “Spoonville travels to Bethlehem” scene in the garden of the Mornington and Mt Martha Anglican Church allows children to be part of the original story of Christmas: the journey to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus, in a fun, crafty way.
Liz Rankin, the deacon of the Queen Street church, said the scene aimed to bring “joy and Christmas spirit to families and the town as a whole”.
And she is keen on getting everyone involved. “We’d like to have people place their own crafted spoon decorated with Christmas characters in the lead up to Christmas,” she said.
“During this year of COVID-19 local communities are creating a point of connection through the Spoonville characters and my idea is an extension of that. The Christmas Nativity theme can point to the need to keep our community connections going as we come out of isolation.
“It allows children to experience and be part of the original story, bringing joy and Christmas spirit to families and the town as a whole.
“Anyone can be involved, young or old, and in their own time over December.”
Those interested can add to the scene but, as the ground is very hard, they should bring a hammer, Ms Rankin said.
