Christmas lunch stretched on

Uturn Ministries of Umina put on a special Christmas lunch for those in the community who were alone on Christmas day.

It was to be held from 11.30am until 2.30pm but stretched out for some until almost 4pm.

Pastors Max and Suzanne Watters said that was what the day was all about, to be able to spend time with others and be nourished with food and friendship.

"There is no age barrier to loneliness," said Ms Watters.

"We had people to lunch that spread over three different generations," she said.

She said that she had received comments that "it was wonderful to share the love and friendship, and being able to talk with others" and that "it made an otherwise lonely day magic".

Ms Watters said: "We are already thinking of our next community event so we can engage those in the community that seem to be overlooked and slip through the cracks of having meaningful relationships in their lives and help them be a valuable part and a contributing member of society."

Email, 2 Jan 2011 Max and Suzanne Watters, Uturn Ministries