Annual Christmas Parade brings joy to local community, more than 10,000 take part

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The youthful contingent from the St. Mary’s Church in jovial mood.

SIBU: More than 10,000 Christians and well-wishers gathered at Sibu Town Square at 6pm yesterday evening before the start of the annual Christmas parade.

An initiative by the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS), this annual event aims to share the joy and peace of Christmas with the local community.

Hosted by Masland Mathodist Church this year, the participants gathered for songs, prayers and scripture readings before the lighting of the Christmas candle by the participating church leaders.

Leading the parade were chairman of Sibu Municipal Council Datuk Tiong Thai King, Sibu Resident Hii Chang Kee, UNIFOR director Datu Dr Ngenang Jangu, SMC Visit Sibu Year 2017 chairperson Wong Hie Ping, Sarawak Association of Churches chairman Rev Dato Dr Justin Wan, its Sibu Branch chairman Rev Ting Leh Na and representatives of the churches and the associations.

Blessed with fine weather, the parade was a sight to behold with colourful floats beautifully decorated with Christmas lights. The Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade sang Christmas hymns and carols accompanied by the school bands from Sacred Heart and Catholic High School.

Among the participating churches were the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM), Methodist, 611 Bread of Life, Living Waters, Sarawak Full Gospel, City Harvest Fellowship, Kasih Agape, Baptist Church Sibu Jaya and Calvary Bible Presbyterian.

It was truly a night to remember.

Nur Azrina Abdullah (centre) and her sister (right) from Kg. Bahagia Jaya, Teku with Jinng Singa (second right) from Lawas and friends from the Borneo Evangelical Mission Permai taking a we-fie.