FAMILIES gathered at a town church for its annual Christingle service.

St. John’s Church in Carterton welcomed people to the service on Saturday which was held to raise money for The Children's Society - a charity allied to the Church of England.

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It works alongside young people, their families and communities providing specialist support that aims to 'empower' youngsters to make positive changes and 'rediscover their hope'.

Due to Covid restrictions this year it has been difficult for the church's volunteers to collect in all of the donation boxes.

Lay Minister Lyndsay Baker said: "We would like to say thank you to everyone who has been putting money away in their collection boxes regularly. We hope to be in a position to collect all donations in April."

Oranges used for the Christingle service were donated by Morrisons and the church gave out packs so that people could make their own Christingle at home.

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The service was also streamed live so that people could take part from home.

Christingle involves children decorating an orange with a red ribbon, dried fruits, sweets and a candle to create a new visual representation of Jesus Christ as the 'Light of the World' in Advent, celebrated by the lighting of the Christingle candles.

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