January 29th

Sharing about our Crossover New Year’s Eve church service

Holyrood Mennonite Church is an intercultural church. For the past 20 years since the church welcomed the first Liberians resettling in Edmonton as a result of escaping their civil war, Holyrood has incorporated this important event in the church calendar. 

Venissa Tumbay, representing the Holyrood youth, wrote the following reflection bringing together the thoughts and experiences of the Holyrood Youth who look forward to this event every year.
 
 
Sharing about our Crossover New Year’s Eve church service
by Venissa Tumbay 
 
The Crossover Service is something we celebrate in our culture, coming together and entering the New Year in the house of the Lord.  It is a very important celebration for our community.  For some it is even more important than Christmas Eve.  It is a time to remember what God has done in our daily lives throughout the year, and to rejoice at the knowledge that the coming year is in God’s hands. 
 
I think the meaning of Crossover is spending time with family and friends, and going over into the New Year together.  The three hours go by fast due to us enjoying the service – the lively songs, the prayers and the testimonials.  The New Year’s service brings peace, joy, and liveliness to the congregation.  We take time to pray for ourselves, family, friends, and the church community.  The time spent brings us really close to our inner selves being in touch with each other as Children of God.  We grow closer to Christ. The evening ends at midnight with vibrant dancing, and hugging family members and close friends.  
 
As time goes by and we get older, the tradition is going to get passed down to help us continue our relationship with God and with each other through this important time in our year.