Southwell Minster Christmas trail lets families follow Christingle story in different way this year

A trail around the outside of Southwell Minster will let families follow the Christingle story in a different way this year ­— while still raising money for a children’s charity.

The minster normally holds an annual candlelit Christingle service, in which hundreds of people share songs, carols and stories, and take home their own Christingles.

Vicki Loughton, who is involved in the event, said: “We cannot hold our usual service in the minster this year because of covid-19 regulations.

“So we have decided to have a trail around the outside of the minster using QR codes to let families follow the Christingle story on smartphones and tablets.”

There will be songs and prayers, a short service to watch online, and bags containing items for people to make their own Christingles at home.

The trail has been prepared by children’s ministry adviser Nick Harding, along with The Children’s Society and Muddy Church.

There will be a link so people can make a donation to The Children’s Society, which works to help some of the most vulnerable children.

For more than 50 years Christingle services have been a traditional part of the run-up to Christmas in many churches, and they raise essential money for the work of the society in changing the lives of children and young people for the better.

Southwell’s new way to celebrate Advent and enjoy Christingle is open to anyone, alone or in family groups.

All that is needed is a smart phone to follow QR codes, and for those taking part to follow normal social distancing guidelines.

The trail will run on the weekend of December 12 and 13.

It will be available from 10am to 4pm on Saturday and from noon to 4pm on Sunday.