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The London Times Now Pioneering Attacks on a Religion Bringing Christmas Cheer?

Admission to Winter Wonderland was free of charge, but in the spirit of Christmas, visitors were invited to donate to local charities in support of the homeless. That’s what you maligned.

January 25, 2018

Editor
Thetimes.co.uk

Dear Editor,

I am aghast at your piece attacking my Church’s efforts to bring goodwill, cheer and fun to local Dublin kids and families who live close to our Church. The article showed the depths to which your publication appears to have sunk. How sad.

But to furnish you with facts, as Diana Stahl, the public affairs representative for the Church said, “there are a lot of needs at our church, and the most common request we get is for activities and events for families, so it was a pleasure to kick off the Christmas season by hosting this Winter Wonderland, open to all the local residents.”

The Community Centre’s Winter Wonderland was open for a month during which time more than 4,000 people visited and toured. While there they enjoyed the Christmas fun fair rides, participated in face-painting, creative craftmaking with Santa’s elves, riding Santa’s reindeer and a host of other festive activities.

Here is what some of the locals had to say about it:

“Thank you so much for this. We had a wonderful time. It’s Christmas, and it’s part of our culture and children have to experience this.”

“My children and grandchildren arrived and my grandchildren said ‘Grandpa, you are the luckiest person in the world. You have a Winter Wonderland in your backyard! We want to come here the whole month.’ Am I not the luckiest guy?”

“My mummy said if I can’t write I can’t tell Santa what I want for Christmas, but I saw him and I told him what I wanted myself.”

“I have never seen my child like this before, never ever. When I came in I felt the festive spirit around this lovely place. And my son, I’ve never seen him like this. He is smiling in the pictures with Santa. He was never smiling before.”

“When we drove past, the first thing we saw was a huge Christmas tree and then the little ones. We also saw your giant Christmas balls display and loved it and so we turned around and decided to come here. The last time I have been here in the civic centre is about 2 years ago when it used to have a small café. I am surprised and amazed to see what you have done here. The Christmas lights and display you put on is incredible and I will return later this week with the rest of my family.”

Admission to Winter Wonderland was free of charge, but in the spirit of Christmas, visitors were invited to donate to local charities in support of the homeless.

That’s the public service you maligned.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Blair
Los Angeles, Calif