As The Sun hits the letterbox today, a swathe of volunteers will be rolling up their sleeves to help host St Peter’s in the City’s free annual Christmas dinner for the community.

Yes, that’s right – close to 280 people will come through the Church doors on December 25 to enjoy a free dinner from 5pm-7pm.

But the event is not just about the food, or the volunteers behind it.

“What’s most important about the Christmas dinner is actually the fellowship and the socialisation of people that come together with the aim of celebrating the birth of Jesus,” says Reverend Enosa Auva’a.

The church will serve up a sit-down dinner to guests in the church auditorium from 5pm-7pm on Monday, December 25, followed by singing, music and entertainment, dessert, and a present for each child which have been donated by the Lions of Tauranga.

Enosa says this is his second Christmas dinner here as a new Minister.

“I think one of the lovely things for me is, there is a whole group of people that don’t often meet.

"And that to me, I think, says something about the diversity of our community.”

Enosa says the Church has been running the event for more than 30 years and it’s “a real celebration for this community”.

“It’s not confined to Church people.

"The event is open to the community here in Tauranga.

“It’s an opportunity for us to meet together...so if you’re feeling that maybe you’re on your own for Christmas, here’s an opportunity to come in and enjoy the time.”

Enosa says Christmas can be a very stressful time for a lot of people.

“This is a dinner for those who may not necessarily have a place to go to, those who are homeless, and those who do not have a home to go to.”

“We’re here, we’re waiting for you to come, we want you to come – and we want to share this time of celebration with each other,” says Enosa.

“And we’ll celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus.”

Registration is preferred for the dinner.  

St Peter’s in the City’s free annual Christmas dinner is at 130 Spring St, Tauranga, on Monday, December 25, from 5pm-7pm. 

For enquiries, call the church office on 07 578 9608, or register your attendance at:  www.stpeters.org.nz