Carols rang out across a moonlit sky on Thursday night, December 17, in Almancil as All Saints Anglican Church hosted the first ever community ‘Drive-in Carol Service’.
Cars converged on the parking area next to the Estádio de Almancil from far and near, bringing over 130 people in joy and anticipation to attend the Service of Lessons and Carols and to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
The Carol Service was organised and controlled as a Covid-safe space. Everyone stayed in their cars, in the parking spot that they had been directed to, and the sound of joyous singing from inside the vehicles filled the air.
The Service was conducted in both English and Portuguese with simultaneous translation at key points. In addition, several of the lessons were read only in Portuguese by the local hosts. Service booklets had been produced in both English and Portuguese for people to follow. One particularly tender moment was when the carol “Silent Night” was sung in both English and Portuguese.
The ‘Drive-in Carol Service’ was made possible by the support of ASCA, the Junta de Freguesia de Almancil and Loulé municipality.
Speaking in his address, Rev’d Mike Clarkson, Priest of All Saints Anglican Church Almancil, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our hosts in helping to make all this happen.
Christmas is one of the most important times of the year for us in All Saints and to be able to get together like this – albeit from the comfort and safety of our own cars – has been joyous.
“This is a memory we will treasure from a year in which the new normal was to be physically apart and to only worship together virtually.
“Thank you ASCA, President Joaquim Pinto from the Junta de Freguesia, who is graciously here tonight and the Câmara of Loulé. May God bless you for your help and support, and thank you for including us as part of your community.”
For more information, call 932 841 943 or email [email protected] – www.allsaintsalgarve.church
