Brightlingsea will host its first ever Carols in Cars drive-in Service on Sunday, December 20 in the Colne School car park off Church Road.

With traditional carol services and singing by congregations outlawed by Covid-19 restrictions, the drive-in service is being organised by the All Saints’ with St James’ Parish and will consist of an amplified service of five lessons and six carols led by a group of six musicians.

The event, which will take place on the school’s front car park, is limited to 60 cars and places – which are filling up fast – can be booked via this link. The gates will open from 5.30 pm and those attending are asked to arrive in good time for a 6.00pm start and enter via the gate nearest Maltings Road. Stewards will be on hand to direct cars to a parking space and hand out orders of service. Visitors are asked to wear a mask, especially when opening car windows to join in the singing.

Instead of the usual nativity play, on Christmas Eve St James’  will be the venue for  ‘A Short Crib Service’ from 4-4.30 pm which the church is billing as an “ideal service for children and their parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts… In fact any of the family. We dedicate the crib scene to give a warm start to the Christmas season”.

St James’ will also host a Midnight Mass at 11.30pm on Christmas Eve and an All-age service at 10.00am on Christmas morning. At both services carols will be played, and though singing isn’t allowed,  the words will be up on a screen for the congregation to follow.

For more information, see the parish website.