Metropolitan Community Church Sydney
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE 2019
What a fabulous night it was on Christmas Eve at the Sydney Town Hall. Were you there with us?
Every year for 24 years MCC Sydney has given Sydney a gift: A place to come on Christmas Eve where everyone is welcome with no exceptions. A place to come and reflect on the meaning of Christmas and to experience something memorable.
2019 continued the tradition with another very special night of Carols at the Sydney Town Hall. There were great musical performances plus a message from our guest speaker, Katherine Maver, President of the SLGBA, and of course some good old favourites for everyone to sing.
The event was Auslan interpreted, and as usual entry was free to everyone. See below to be reminded !
MCC Sydney acknowledges the very generous support of the City of Sydney Council in bringing this event to the Sydney Town Hall in 2019.
WELCOME!
Rev. Dale Yardy
Let me issue to you my heartfelt invitation to join us this Christmas Eve at the Sydney Town Hall as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. From humble beginnings to a 'seat' alongside God, this is one person that's worth keeping your eyes on! Society intersects with religion each Christmas as we sing songs of delight, charm and welcome, and revel in what's often called "the season of good will towards all."
KATHERINE MAVER
President, SGLBA
This year we welcome as our guest speaker Katherine Maver, President of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association. Katherine is an active member of the Trans community since transitioning 25 years ago, and she uses her standing in the corporate world to influence, effect change, and to continue the fight for equality in the workplace. In 2017, Katherine also launched "The Diversity Shift" which is a public speaking and mentoring company, with the sole aim of shifting the conversation surrounding diversity from tolerance to acceptance. Last year she was one of the founding members of Trans Pride Australia, which promotes visibility and awareness of Transgender and Gender Diverse matters in the wider community.
MCC SYDNEY SINGERS
A group of enthusiastic singers from MCC Sydney will lead praise to God as we sing from the heart with joy at our Saviour's birth.
And they won't be singing alone. We expect several hundred people in the audience to join them. Will you be one of them?
PAMELA ANDREWS
PACIFIC OPERA
Pacific Opera alumna Pamela Andrews returns to the stage to Embrace MCC's Christmas in 2019.
Pamela was a 2013 Young Artist with Pacific Opera in Sydney and has won numerous prizes and awards in eisteddfods around Australia. She's in demand as a soloist, and has performed both the Mozart and Brahms Requiems, Dvorak’s Stabat Mater, Haydn's Nelson Mass and Handel's Messiah with many choirs and orchestras, including SCUNA and the National Capital Orchestra, Tasmania's Festival of Voices and the Hobart Chamber Orchestra, among (many) others.
MIKAYLA TATE
PACIFIC OPERA
Mikayla Tate is a young Sydney-based soprano and 2019 Sponsored Young Artist with Pacific Opera. She was the Young Artist of the Month for March 2019. Her operatic experience includes Musetta (Puccini, et al: Bohéme a piacere), Virginia (Scarlatti: La caduta de decemviri), Gretel/Sandmann/Dewfairy alternate (Humperdinck: Hänsel und Gretel), Chorus (Offenbach: The Tales of Hoffman), Chorus (Bellini: La Sonnambula), Chorus (Janáĉek: The Cunning Little Vixen) and Chorus (Donizetti: L’elisir d’amor). She made her German debut in June with the Berlin Opera Academy as Erste Dame.
ANDREW DICKSON
PACIFIC OPERA
Baritone Andrew Dickson began his career performing music theatre. In 2016 he came third in the Art Song Prize, placed second in the Penrith Eisteddfod Lieder Prize and won the Penrith City Aria Prize. Andrew has performed with the Armenian Opera and Ballet National Academic Theatre Orchestra, and as a principal artist for Willoughby Theatre Company, Chatswood Musical Society, Mosman Musical Society and Riverside Lyric Ensemble. This year, he lends his baritone voice to MCC Sydney's Christmas Eve performance by Pacific Opera.
CARL de VILLA
Carl began singing at age 4, and polished his passion by singing hymns with a church choir. From there he has performed with many bands, including on the soundtracks to several hit films in the Philippines. He is part of a show bringing to life the world of Prince, and has a show celebrating Bruno Mars. Carl was also one of the judges on Channel 7's All Together Now.
DENISE HANLON
Denise Hanlon is an award-winning singer, a professional comedienne and an experienced Emcee - and she can do them simultaneously. Her singing is interspersed with colourful costume, quick one-liners and often involuntary audience participation. Denise lends her bold, brash and (wickedly) entertaining talents to this year's Christmas Carols.
AYLA
Fijian-born Ayla grew up in Sydney in a Christian environment that was steeped in gospel music. She developed a passion for music which she brings to her singing—a blend of country, rock and pop that fuses together with her Pacific Islander heritage to evoke deep, soulful and uplifting ballads that touch the heart. Bringing the power of Whitney to the performance, we're excited to have Ayla singing with MCC Sydney.
EMBRACE CHRISTMAS
You can help support MCC Sydney as we bring the message of Christmas to our city. Purchase a 'hug' in any denomination between $1 and $100, with the money going towards our Christmas Eve service. But here's the catch -- there's only one hug available in each denomination. Click on the image to go to our TryBooking site where you can see which 'hugs' are still available and where you can make your gift.
OUR VENUE
The Sydney Town Hall can accommodate up to two thousand people. The ornate rooms, central location and easy access using public transport make it an ideal place for MCC Sydney to sing out
As in past years, we hope to fill the ground floor of the Centennial Hall, and -- let's pray big -- a large section of the upper mezzanine as well..
PIPING HOT
When it was installed in 1890, Sydney Town Hall’s Grand Organ was the largest in the world and described as the ‘finest organ ever built by an English organ builder’. Today, it continues to enthrall organ lovers and audiences.
The magnificent tones of the 8,672 pipes are a perfect accompaniment to the carol singing.
MAGIC FINGERS
At the keyboard of the Grand Organ is Rev Gavin Ward, a former pastor of MCC Sydney. Gavin has delighted thousands with his magnificent playing at Sydney Town Hall. We're equally delighted to have Gavin back with us again for Christmas Eve 2019. Gavin also plays the keyboard for us in some of the more contemporary performances.
CHRISTMAS GIVING
Support MCC Sydney's Christmas Eve Carols Service by making a one-off donation via PayPal. Click the logo to be taken to the 'Donate Now' page of our website. Your generous contribution helps ensure that we're able to continue bringing a special Christmas Eve event to the people of Sydney each year.
GETTING THERE
Sydney Town Hall
483 George Street Sydney.
For trip planning via public transport, visit transportnsw.info or call 131 500
There is bicycle parking on each side of the Town Hall, and car parking in nearby QVB.
SPONSORSHIP
Sponsorship for 2019 is now closed. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor as a Partner or as a Supporter for our 2020 Christmas Eve Carols Service, there will be a Sponsorship package document available from October 2020.
"AS WITH ANY JOURNEY,WHO YOU TRAVEL WITH CAN BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR DESTINATION"
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
SPONSORSHIP PARTNER
CITY OF SYDNEY COUNCIL
Metropolitan Community Church Sydney thanks Lord Mayor Clover Moore and the City of Sydney for their generous support in the use of the Sydney Town Hall for MCC Sydney Christmas Eve Service 2019.
SPONSORSHIP PARTNER
JUST SCREW IT
JSI is a full service licensed building company focusing on small to large sized renovations, maintenance, and repair projects for the residential housing market in Sydney's Inner West, Eastern Suburbs and North Shore. Just Screw It can help with your renovation from start to finish.
SUPPORTER
ACON
ACON is a New South Wales based health promotion organisation specialising in HIV prevention, HIV support and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) health. ACON helps LGBTI people take control of their health so they can look after themselves as well as their partners, family and friends.
SUPPORTER
KURO OBI MARTIAL ARTS
For Kyokushin karate classes for ages 5 and up, Kuro Obi Dojo offers a structured syllabus through to 3rd degree Black Belt. Karate is an all-round physical and mental activity that challenges a person's abilities, benefitting strength, coordination, physical awareness, stress management, weight control, self discipline as well as self defence. Kuro Obi Dojo is located immediately behind MCC Sydney's building at 96 Crystal Street Petersham, with entry from Brighton Street. Call them on 0414 777 251 to find out more or go to http://kuro-obi.com.au
SUPPORTER
MCC WELFARE SERVICES
MCC Sydney acknowledges MCC Welfare Services, which provides a range of welfare assistance and support services to those within the LGBTQIA community, as well as offering programs that connect communities through events promoting social inclusion and diversity. MCC Welfare Services has assisted over 3000 people and looks forward to adding to the lives of many more.
SUPPORTER
JENNY LEONG
NSW State member for Newtown Jenny Leong has long been a supporter of our Community. By advertising in our Program, Ms Leong continues to stand with us for equality and justice. MCC Sydney's Petersham church is located in the Newtown electorate, and we greatly value Ms Leong's efforts as the NSW Greens LGBTIQ+ Spokesperson.