Sunday 14th December:

Churches Together Christmas Pageant. Assemble at Horseshoe Common then the parade leaves there at 2.45pm and goes to the Lower Pleasure Gardens (by the balloon) for a Carol Service.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

The name "Christmas", taken from the Latin for "Mass of Christ", wasn't used in Britain until around 1043AD. As Christmas began to rival Easter as the most important Christian festival an extended period of preparation was added to the church calendar called "Advent" (taken from the Latin for "arrival").

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

THIS Friday (28th November):

Quiz Night at Ye Olde George, Christchurch, 7.15pm. Contact Colin and Pauline for more info.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

These festivals included the use of incense, candles and decorating buildings with evergreens, gift giving, feasting and drinking. The church wanted to Christianise these practises, either to cover-over the fact that pagan religions were still out-stripping Christianity in popularity, or as a genuine attempt to win people over to Jesus.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Sunday 21st December:

Carols by Candlelight in church starting at 5pm

Thursday 25th December:

Short Christmas Day Service in church starting at 10am

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

The 25th of December was chosen because that was the day, on or near the winter solstice, that all ancient religions celebrated the births of their various sun gods. These festivals included the use of incense, candles and decorating buildings with evergreens, gift giving, feasting and drinking.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

THIS Friday (28th November):

Quiz Night at Ye Olde George, Christchurch, 7.15pm. Contact Colin and Pauline for more info.

THIS Saturday (29th November):

Opening of the "Light of Hope" and the Nativity in Bournemouth Square at 10am.

Sunday 30th November:

Family Service, followed by Church Christmas dinner at the Riviera Hotel (Burnaby Road, Alum Chine) at 1pm. £11 for over 12s and £5.50 for under 12s. Sign up on the list on church notice board.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Also, we know that it is very unlikely Jesus was born in December because in the story of his birth given in the Bible it talks about sheep out on the open hillside and Mary and Joseph travelling to sign a census, things that would not take place in the wet and cold Judean winter months.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

It is not known when exactly Jesus was born - not the day, or the month, or even the year! There have been several big changes made to how dates were recorded throughout history, and as a result of these confusions we now calculate that Jesus was born sometime between 7 and 4 BC ("before Christ"!).

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

It was over one hundred years after the birth of Jesus that the church first suggested a solemn, respectful feast should be observed in honour of Jesus' birthday, and not until Julius 1st -who was pope from 337 to 352AD- that the date of 25th December was set for this "Feast of the Nativity".

What About Christmas?

Logically, it would make sense if Christmas had existed since the birth of Jesus, or at least since the resurrection of Jesus and the founding of the early Christian church. But, oh no! That would be far too easy! The first Christians didn't celebrate the birthday of Jesus; birthdays weren't considered a big deal in Jewish or early Christian culture.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Name: Yool Ha.
Age: 25.
Where are you from? Korea
What is your LEAST favourite English food or drink? Rice yogurt.
What is your MOST favourite English food or drink? Everything except rice yogurt!
What's the best thing about Bournemouth? 1a, 1b, 1c bus.
What is your favourite idiom?! Seventh heaven.
What's the best thing that has happened to you during your stay in the UK? Everything was the best thing.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Our student friends come and go all the time, so we get to meet a lot of new people, and say a lot of goodbyes. Some Thursday nights we have up to 60 students with us.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Meet the Students!

'...we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.' ~ Colossians 1: 9

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Meet some of our students!

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

"I have been to the international student meal evening many times and have often taken my friends. We have always received a warm welcome, especially from David and his lovely wife Hae Sook. The food is also very good (and often Korean). If you are looking for English practice and English speaking friends, or just somewhere to relax, then this is a great place". ~ Nicky, 20/12/07

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

We work closely with Friends International South Wessex.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Our main activity for students is our International Student Meal Evening (ISME), held every other Thursday at 6pm, to which you are warmly invited. The evening includes food, a short English language session, a time of worship and short message about the Christian faith.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

ISME: International Student Meal Evening

Next meeting Thursday 13th November 2008, 6pm!

As Bournemouth is a centre for language schools we have the privilege of meeting students from all over the world, and because of this we are happy to provide opportunities for friendship and language learning. It is our great joy to have welcomed many, many international students to the church.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

NEW TO RICHMOND PARK CHURCH? CLICK HERE TO GO STRAIGHT TO A ONE PAGE SUMMARY YOU CAN PRINT OUT.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

We follow normal child protection guidelines and all staff are CRB checked.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

We are aware that during our get-togethers lasting relationships have been formed among the parents and the children are often asking them when the next "toy time at that church" is!

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Parents & Toddlers

We warmly invite you to our Parents & Toddlers morning, "Step By Step", Tuesdays term time between 9.30-11.30am.This is a great time to come together in a secure, relaxed and informal atmosphere where parents and carers can unwind as their children enjoy playing with toys, creating different things, sliding down the slide, singing and learning to relate to one another at a young age.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

"Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?" ~ Isaiah 43: 18 & 19

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

"Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?" ~ Isaiah 43: 18 & 19

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Meanwhile, after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus in 30AD, the "new" controversial religion, Christianity, spread to Asia Minor, Greece and to Rome, and so through the Roman Empire, largely as a result of persecuted Christians having to flee Jerusalem. As Christians were killed for preaching about Jesus and standing up for their beliefs, those surviving chose to commemorate the death of these martyrs or saints by celebrating "martyrs days" or "saints days".

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

They also left out treats, like cakes, as a peace offering. When the Romans came to Britain (successfully in 43AD after failed attempts in 55BC and 54BC) they added the traditions of their own harvest festival, "Pomona", to Samhain, such as bobbing for apples in water barrels and putting nuts in the fire to watch where they jump to.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.