Agape Service & Family Play: A Fun Start to Advent

If you ever want to see a room full of adults suddenly look unsure, just ask them this:

“Where in the Bible does it say Mary rode a donkey while she was heavily pregnant…?”

The silence was golden. And then the laughter began.

That set the tone for our Agape Service & Family Play, warm, curious, and just the right amount of cheeky.

Rev. Marcia led us gently into the first Sunday of Advent. Sylvia lit the candle, and for a brief, beautiful moment the room felt still, a quiet breath before the celebration.

But before we go any further…

What does “Agape” mean anyway?

It’s that unconditional, open-hearted, freely given love, the kind that welcomes everyone to the table, no matter who they are or how their week has been. And honestly, that spirit was everywhere in the room.

And then came the food.

Oh, the food.

The tables were covered in dips, veggie sticks, snacks, mountains of sandwiches, sausage rolls, beautiful desserts, and of course the devilled eggs, pumpkin pie, cob loaf and dumplings that vanished faster than anyone expected. Whatever the cook put in those dishes, we may never know, but goodness, they were yum.

And yes… I’ll admit it. I stood there pretending to be polite while every part of me wanted to eat it all. But I behaved. (Mostly.) Everyone needed a chance to taste the good stuff!

The weather tried its best to ruin the picnic, but it didn’t stand a chance. Around forty people gathered in the hall, with kids running outside whenever the rain paused and rushing back in when it began again. 

Inside, sticker tattoos were the clear favourite, alongside bits of arts and crafts, origami and card games that kept everyone busy and happy.

During the service, Marcia invited everyone to stand and circle the table, a gentle, slightly chaotic shuffle that helped us see one another better and reminded us of what this season is truly about: drawing close, noticing one another, and making space for everyone.

Afterwards, we ended with a table full of home-cooked goodness and plenty of chatting and giggling. When it was time to tidy up, everyone simply pitched in with smiles and helping hands. Rain or shine, this congregation always shows up.

It was a lively, delicious, wonderfully chaotic start to Advent, the kind where the weather does its worst, but the people do their best, and you walk away thinking, “Yep… this is community.”

And before we finish… one last Advent puzzle for you: Where exactly in the Bible does it say there were three kings?