ALL THE SEASONS GREETINGS
March 20 Tuesday 2007

Writing annual newsletters is not something I usually do – but since moving to Hong Kong, it’s been an invaluable way of informing close friends and family what’s happening on this side of the world. I’d originally intended to send one at Christmas… but before I knew it, it was New Year, then Chinese New Year, and now it’s almost Easter!

So until I manage to find some time (and motivation) to write one, I will endeavor to keep my journal a little more updated, and in doing so, begin with Christmas and New Years at The Vine.

This years Christmas Eve service is by far the coolest church event I’ve been to in a long time. How I wish I had a camera with me, for everything about the evening was an audio, visual and culinary delight. It was a special Carol Service with incredibly ambient arrangements and stunningly creative imagery. It was like Mulled-Wine to the senses.

Christmas day was fantastic. The whole church got to together for the annual Christmas Pageant – billed as being, “The All-Singing, All-Dancing, All-Action, Extravaganza”. Set in modern day Hong Kong, the Primetime Kids took us through Mary & Joseph's journey, encountering the likes of: dancing footballers, disgruntled taxi-drivers, HK Pop-Idol, chronic shopaholics,  a rap-group, a pre-natal clinic and a gospel quintet. I had the pleasure of presenting “Hong Kong Idol” – which was really fun seeing as I had to make my lines up on the spot.

New Years Eve was particularly special this year, as we flew in DJ Andy Hunter (of Matrix and Alias fame) to play alongside the The Vine Band and Andrew Gardner. The Vine Centre was absolutely packed, and the vibe was great. We saw the New Year in worshipping God, and then we danced long into the small hours to some seriously phat beats... what a great run-up to 2007, and there's still so much more to go.