MANCHESTER, NH — Brookside Congregational Church is partnering with The New England Holiday Light Company to light up the church this year with a special outdoor light display in memory of loved ones that will shine throughout the holiday season. In addition to the In-Memory Light Display, Brookside will again host its popular Craft Fair – Christmas at the Brook, The Living Nativity, Annual Holiday Concert, and a traditional candle-light family service on Christmas Eve. The events are free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome.
“You are invited to join us in lighting up Brookside this year, reflecting the light of Christ, and in memory of our loved ones,” said interim minister of Brookside Church, Rev. Laura Biddle. “The holiday season is a time to celebrate traditions and family and that includes those we miss the most. We are opening this holiday memory light display to anyone that would like to participate by donating a string of lights in memory of their loved ones. And then come and enjoy the warm glow of the lights and celebrate Christ’s birth through our traditional, family-friendly Christmas events this season.”
Holiday Lights In-Memory
You can honor the memory of a loved one at Brookside this Christmas by donating a string of lights in their name. Brookside is partnering with The New England Holiday Light Company to create this display.
Your donation of $20 will purchase a string of lights in memory of your loved one and it will shine throughout the month of December. An acknowledgement of your memorial will also be on display. This invitation is open to the public. The deadline to purchase lights is Saturday, November 30.
You can donate securely online by following this link – be sure to include your loved ones name on the donation form online.
Alternatively, you can right-click on the form to download, print and mail it in along with your check. Please include the name of your loved one and send to: Brookside Congregational Church at 2013 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03104.
2019 Brookside Christmas Event Schedule
All events will take place at Brookside Church located at 2013 Elm St. in the North End of Manchester.
Christmas at the Brook
Saturday, November 23 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Enjoy the time-honored tradition of a New England craft fair with Christmas at the Brook. This year the fair falls on the weekend before Thanksgiving. It’s a great opportunity to grab a frozen pie to bake off at your family Thanksgiving, pick up a thoughtful hostess gift, get a jump on your holiday shopping, or even make something yourself.
Christmas at the Brook will present more than 45 vendors featuring New Hampshire-made jewelry artisans, cards, books by local authors, quilts, handmade soaps, balms and lotions; painted glassware, alpaca wool scarves, hand-knit mittens and hats, prints, photography, American girl doll clothes, fairy houses, wreaths, wagon-wheel rugs, ornaments, bags and purses, hot sauces, chocolates, dog treats and pet toys, and so much more.
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Living Nativity
Sunday, December 15 – 3 p.m.
The Living Nativity will take place at the church this year. A Living Nativity is the telling of the Christmas story with actors and real animals recreating the scene in Bethlehem those many years ago. Ancient scriptures will be read and songs will be sung to bring the story to life. The animals participating are provided by Miles Smith Farm in Loudon, NH.
The 10th Annual Holiday Concert
Saturday, December 21 at 3:00 p.m.
The annual holiday concert will feature the organ, chancel, and bell choirs of Brookside Congregational Church conducted by the Minister of Music, Kimberly Vars Whitehead. Please consider bringing non-perishable goods to be donated to New Horizons of Manchester. The Carillon (steeple bells) will be played following the concert on the front steps of the church by Sexton, Heath Auger.
Christmas Eve Services
Tuesday, December 24 at 7:00 p.m.
Brookside Church welcomes everyone to attend its traditional candle-light service for families on Christmas Eve.
About Brookside Congregational Church
Brookside Congregational Church was founded 175 years ago in Manchester. It is an open and affirming congregation, embracing diversity and affirming the dignity and worth of every person. The church invites everyone to join in the common life and mission of reconciling community through participation and leadership in its congregation, and by fully sharing in the worship, rites and sacraments of the church. Brookside Congregational Church is a member of the United Church of Christ, the Hillsborough Association, the NH Conference, and United Church of Christ. For more information please visit http://www.brooksidecc.org.
Community Outreach
Brookside Congregational Church has a tremendous impact on the Greater Manchester community as it provides not only a place of Sunday worship for parishioners, but it also provides a common location for numerous local nonprofits and community organizations to gather on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. The mission of Brookside is community-focused. In keeping with its mission, the church is utilized by over 30 organizations in the Manchester area including: Latitude Learning, Alcoholics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, Compassionate Friends, Rainbow Theatre, and community gardeners. In addition, two small congregations meet weekly in Brookside’s chapel. The church is also home to Pastoral Counseling Services and the Brookside Thrift Shop that serves the local community.
About The New England Holiday Light Company
The New England Light Company can design, install, maintain, remove, and store all of your outdoor holiday lighting this season. We will work with you to come up with the most beautiful, cost-effective holiday lighting your yard has ever seen. Take the stress out of this holiday season and let us do the work. For more information visit: www.neholidaylight.com.
