On the First  Day of Christmas we had the Dapto Community Carols: Saturday 11th December
Our 7th Annual combined Churches Dapto Community Carols — and everyone in Dapto was invited through our letterbox deliveries. There was fun for all! Camel rides & photos, Ronald McDonald show & fire works, games for the children including jumping castles, face painting, hair spray art, nail art, and craft. The youth enjoyed laser tag. Then there was a fantastic pre-program that included our own St. Luke’s Preschool stars along with our Rockstars and Koonawarra Public School.  Then at 7.30pm our wonderful official Carols program commenced,  God blessed us all with a truly wonderful community event.

On the Second  Day of Christmas we visited Dapto Nursing Homes: Sunday, 12th December
15 members of Dapto Anglican Church visited the residents at  Hammond Care (Horsley) and St. Luke’s Village to say ‘Merry Christmas’ and to bring the residents a Christmas treat (prepared by our own Mother’s Union) and an ‘Essential Jesus’. It was a fantastic opportunity to express the love of Christ to these vital members of our community.

On the Third Day of Christmas we gave treats to our preschool parents:   Monday, 13th December
Amy & Emily Brown along with Kaitlyn Dixon & Teresa Murphy greeted the Mums, Dads & Carers of our Preschool children at the gate as they dropped off the children for preschool.  As the parents/carers left they gave each family some home baked cookies and a card from our church.   Julie from the preschool said their “smiling faces were so lovely a welcome to the families for the start of the week”. One mother told me that by the time she had driven home after waiting for a train to pass, all she had left were the crumbs for the rest of her family! One random act of kindness to our pre-school parents at Christmas we pray, is a step towards them coming to DAC and meeting Jesus.

On the Fourth Day of Christmas we visited our local primary & high schools & the young adults went carolling:   Tuesday,14th December
Wendy Eagleton co-ordinates Scripture (SRE) for our primary schools and so her Growth Group baked and bought gifts to place in a Christmas hamper for our Dapto School teachers. Annaliza Wilkins prepared a hamper for the teachers at Koonawarra and Kathy Crossing made one for Hayes Park Primary. Dawn Andersen co-ordinated baskets for Mt Brown Primary and Lakelands Primary School as well as Kanahooka and Dapto High Schools. John Batten delivered the baskets to our 2 High Schools and said the schools were overwhelmed with our thoughtfulness…even surprised that we would do such a thing for them. It was nice to thank them for their support of us as we teach SRE and just to tell them that Dapto Anglican Church thinks they are doing a great job and are appreciated.

Our Young Adults were out and about Carolling.  Peter and Ruth D invited their whole neighbourhood to their home for nibblies and drink. As our young adult carollers arrived there was a crowd of people standing in their garden and driveway so they sang at the top of their driveway. According to Paul Seville this was the highlight of the night! Well done Ruth and Peter D.

On the Fifth  Day of Christmas our Young Adults went Carolling:  Wednesday, 15th December
Our Young Adults again hit the streets for the 2nd night in a row and headed out to Horsley. One house they visited was the home of Jason and Linda Bell where a load of children came out into the streets to listen to them. They then went on to visit St Lukes’ Retirement Village in the BBQ area, where Carol and Neville Stumbles were holding a party for around 30 people.  The oldies all so enjoy seeing and hearing our young adults and enjoyed the friendship of each other  into the evening.

On the Sixth Day of Christmas DAC visited Dapto Mall: Thursday, 16th December
Amy Brown and team took Christmas to Dapto Mall (for a second time, as they also did the 9/12). They entertained the Christmas shoppers with performances by our fantastic Rockstars who sang and danced.  There was craft activities for the children. Dan Eames organised a band to perform Christmas music and songs.  The Security Guard in the Mall said that it was so good that we should come over throughout the year. He was clapping along with a huge grin on his face and the food court was packed and humming. A BIG thankyou to all involved.
It was a great night for all involved, including the team who put it together, the retailers and the customers.

On the Seventh Day of Christmas we visited all our Playpatch families with a gift   Friday, 17th December
Mary Pickford & Janet Boardman spent Friday visiting with our Playpatch families, bringing gifts of almond crescent biscuits and a special book for the family.

On the Eighth Day of Christmas we gift wrapped in Dapto Mall: Saturday, 18th December
DAC provided a free gift wrapping service in the Dapto Mall. We gift wrapped all shapes and sizes of presents, and handed out brochures along with the Essential Jesus. One of the volunteers helping with the gift wrapping has been having night mares about someone bringing a weird shaped object along for us to wrap!

Still some of our “12 Days of Christmas” to go; why not volunteer to help out and bring a real Christmas Spirit to our community.

9th Day of Christmas:   Sunday 19th December
5pm taking their team to the Skate Park, for sausages and drinks and to meet with any skateboarders at the park.

10th Day of Christmas:   Monday 20th December
Celebrating Christmas with the train commuters at Dapto Train Station with free coffee and breaky and handing out Anglicare Hampers.

11th Day of Christmas:   Tuesday 21st December
Delivering special Christmas packs to small businesses in Dapto.

12th Day of Christmas:  Wednesday 22nd December
Young Adults last day of carolling and handing out Anglicare Hampers
and…..
Christmas with your neighbours!
Why not invite your neighbours into your home for a Christmas party, dinner or nibblies & drinks.