Seventh day celebrations. Story by Elvina Lee.
On 17th December, the members of Burngreave Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church served homeless people of Burngreave and further afield a three-course meal as is a yearly tradition.
The Burngreave SDA Church is situated on Andover Street. You may have noticed the beautiful historic Grade II listed building built in 1865, with its stunning features of stained glass windows, beautiful brickwork and even gargoyles. Seventh-day Adventists are first and foremost Christians. They attend Church on the Sabbath (7th day of the Weekwhich is a Saturday). They love God by serving and caring for others. They care for their bodies by adopting a healthy lifestyle and they enjoy the Bible and see it as a rule book for life, and so much more…
The Christmas meal was organised by Mrs Powell, a long-standing member of the Burngreave SDA church responsible for community services. She even invited me to join them for lunch, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The atmosphere of the day was one of merriment, laughter with the correct balance of calm. The Christmas music softly playing in the background set the scene.
One of the guests told me: “I have been coming for many years and enjoy the food and being able to socialise, it is a time to get out and meet others.” Entertainment followed the main course, which included Pastor Carlton Douglas reading a thought for the day and the choristers encouraging guests to sing along to some well know Christmas carols. I can truly say I felt like an honoured guest at this Christmas meal and I am sure that everyone who attended felt the same. In the Community, the Burngreave SDA Community Services Department run a soup kitchen, where homeless people can get lunch – they also offer clothes, a listening ear and support. They also make money for events like this Christmas meal and other community related events by making crafts.
If people would like to get involved and learn more about Seventh Day Adventism or our community work, please contact Pastor Carlton Douglas (07869 143525) or Maureen Griffiths (community department) at SDA Church, Andover Street, https://www.Burngreave.adventistchurch.org.uk
