Christmas certainly came early for thousands of people who witnessed the joy of community participation in a church setting in one of the biggest Christmas tree festivals held in Fermanagh.
The Festival of 175 Christmas Trees supported by the Killyhevlin Lakeside Hotel and Lodges to celebrate 175 years of worship at Rossorry Parish Church, held from Thursday to Sunday last, overwhelmed the organisers not only with the displays of over 200 trees but the response from the large numbers of people estimated in the region of 8,000 who visited the church grounds to witness it over the four days. The visitors came in such big numbers on Sunday afternoon in particular that the PSNI had to close a number of approach roads because of traffic congestion. At one stage, queues of people stretched from the church door to the road.
The response from people was also overwhelming for the organisers.
An Advent Carol Service brought the Festival to a close and was attended by a number of guests including the First Minister, Arlene Foster; Tom Elliott, M.P. for Fermanagh and South Tyrone and representatives from a number of charities.
The rector, Canon Dr. Ian Ellis, in a reflection during an special Advent Carol Service which brought the Festival to a close on Sunday evening, said many of those who witnessed it described the Festival as “amazing, spectacular, magical, enchanting, fantastic, lovely, wonderful…”
“This Christmas Tree Festival gives Rossorry Church an opportunity to present the Christian hope and to shine a light on the work of many charities, community groups, schools and churches which seek to transform our world for good and to extend the kingdom of God,” said Canon Ellis.
“We come now to the end of our Festival and we give thanks to God that he has blessed us more than we might ever have imagined.  
“We are so glad that this has been the response - glad because our theme was Joy to the World and in a way this festival has brought so much joy to so many lives as we approach the season of Christmas. Our lovely outdoor lighting and the star on the church and the lights on the trees have spoken so profoundly of the light of Christ which we trust will continue to shine from Rossorry Parish Church.”
Thanking everyone for their generous donations to the parish building fund and nominated charities, Canon Ellis said they had learnt so much from hosting this event.
“We have reached out to businesses to help sponsor the costs of the event and they have been so generous and supportive. We appealed to local charities and community groups for help in putting up a tree – they have responded wonderfully. 
“So I think we learnt that we live in a very special part of God’s world where the people are so generous and welcoming and full of imagination!
“This festival has enabled us to reach across to many other church communities made possible by that early cross-community work of Archdeacon Cecil Pringle and Father Brian D’Arcy.” They both participated in the service along with Dean Arthur Barrett, a former rector. Among the readers was Phil McGrenaghan, of Cancer Connect and a flute solo, “Walking in the Air” was played by Rebecca Irwin.
“Our schools in the area have been just great in joining in – so much creativity and ideas. We have seen and heard from so many children’s choirs and musical groups, bands and performers. So much enrichment to our enjoyment.”
Thanking the parish volunteers, Canon Ellis said: “This was a big project. However we have just been amazed at how the talents have all come together and the willingness and tenacity of our parishioners to volunteer their time in bringing this event to a successful conclusion. Thank you to all of you for your hours of dedicated work.” He also thanked his wife, Heather, who played a leading role in the project.
Concluding, Canon Ellis added: “While this was mostly about fundraising and doing something positive for the community and also something exciting and enjoyable together – all of this is about bringing Glory to God. We do trust that the Light and Joy of the Saviour has also been made known. Many people have visited our festival. My prayer is that they have experienced something of the presence of the living God, the love of his Son and the living Spirit of his church. Perhaps some may return on an ordinary Sunday here or elsewhere and pick up where they left off and join us in the journey of faith in the one who brings Joy to the World.”