A Merry Ukrainian Christmas enjoyed by all at the St Paul’s Centre

On 7th January the St Paul’s Centre opened it’s doors to a marvellous Christmas party for Ukrainians living within our local communities. The Orthodox Church celebrates the Birth of Jesus on 7th January rather than 25th December. So many Ukrainians start the new calendar year with Christmas.

The party was a great opportunity for fun and games, eating together and getting to know one another. Many Ukrainian families who have moved to places like Spennymoor and Bishop Auckland have not had opportunities to meet other Ukrainians locally. So this event was a great time of friendship building and solidarity. There was plenty of delicious food and everyone had a joyful Christmas celebration.

The St Paul’s Centre is a community facility set up to serve all in the local community. This includes providing space for those who move into our community as refugees to learn and develop English and other skills. It is also a place of warm welcome and friendship.

The Christmas party is the first of several planned events to enable Ukrainians to settle into our community and to get to know one another and us.