The River of Life Church, by the Railway Station in Dumfries, are once again inviting people who would be alone for Christmas, but would like to spend it with others, to a Christmas Day Dinner. There’s no charge for the meal, although people are free to donate if they wish, but there’s absolutely no expectation to do so.

They have an open door for absolutely anyone to come to the event, or even to join their team of enthusiastic volunteers on the day.

Mark Smith, Senior Pastor at the Church says; “We’ve hosted a special meal on Christmas Day for several years now and it’s always amazing to see the difference it makes to people for whom Christmas would otherwise be an ordeal. When everyone seems to be having fun, it’s pretty tough to feel as though you’re the only one not! At this event, we not only make sure everyone has a good meal, with all the trimmings, but also have a lot of fun in the process, like every family should.

“We have a service at 11am on Christmas Day too, and everyone is welcome to come to that, but they can just arrive for the meal at 1pm if they’d rather, or just come to the Christmas Day service without staying on for the meal.

“We’re also very grateful to individuals and local businesses who contribute to the meal and, of course all the volunteers who donate part of their Christmas to help in this valuable way”

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Police are investigating a high value break-in to a house in Glencaple sometime between 1100 hours and 2200 hours on Thursday 8 December 2011. A substantial amount of cash, a quantity of jewellery and a number of football medals were taken in the raid. Police are keen to hear from anyone who was in the Glencaple area on Thursday 8 December and who may have seen anything suspicious.

Anyone with any information on this crime is asked to contact police on 0845 600 5701 or any police officer. Information can also be left with the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court. Crime prevention advice can be found on our police website www.dg.police.uk

Police making enquiries into bogus workmen type thefts in the force area arrested three men at the weekend. The men, all from the Falkirk area will appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court on Monday 12 December 2011.

Police reiterate their warning to the public in relation to allowing people into their homes without first of all seeing identification. Those who have a need to visit people at home and gain entry always carry identification and are used to being asked for it. Never be embarrassed about asking for identification, particularly if you do not know the caller. Anyone who suspects that they have had any suspicious callers at their door are asked to call police on the usual 0845 600 5701 number. In an emergency, always use 999

Police in Dumfries are making enquiries into the theft of a large quantity of drums of cable from the British Telecom premises at Greystone Crescent in Dumfries, sometime between 1700 hours on Thursday 8 and 0700 hours on Friday 9 December 2011. The cable is valued at over £18,000 and would have involved the use of a large vehicle to remove the drums.

Anyone with any information on this crime is asked to contact police on 0845 600 5701 or any police officer. Information can also be left with the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court. Crime prevention advice can be found on our police website www.dg.police.uk

You could fill up for free this Friday with Alive 107.3

At Alive 107.3fm this Friday, one lucky listener will win £40 worth of free fuel.

 St Michaels Services and lots of stores around town are carrying Alive Car stickers.   Get yourself a sticker and put it on your car.

 On Friday all day we’ll announce one lucky winner whom we’ve spotted.  If it is your car registration we are announcing, get yourself to St Michaels Services in Dumfries and claim your free £40 worth of fuel.

Holy Communion is celebrated at St John’s Scottish Episcopal Church on Newall Terrace at 8.00am

The Christmas Day Family Eucharist at St Johns takes place at 11am. Children are invited to bring along one of their new toys.

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At 9.30am the Christmas Day Mass is celebrated at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in New Abbey

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The congregations of St Mary’s-Greyfriars & Caerlaverock have their Joint Christmas Day Service followed by Communion at St Mary’s-Greyfriars Church at 10.30

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There is a Sung Mass at Saint Bride’s Anglican Church on Church Crescent starting at 10.30.

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Dumfries Baptist Church’s Christmas Day Service is at Newall Terrace and starts at 10.30am

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The River of Life Church has a Christmas Day service at 11am, by Dumfries Railway Station, followed by Christmas Day meal at 1pm for anyone alone this Christmas (no charge)

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Family Worship with Holy Communion takes place at Maxwelltown West Church, Laurieknowe at 11am.

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The  Christmas Day Service of Troqueer Church takes place at 11.

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The Christmas Morning Service at the United Reformed Church on Irving Street starts at 11.00am

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Christmas Day Mass is celebrated at Saint Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church on Brooke Street at 11.30am

Candlelit Carol Service followed by Mulled Wine and Shortbread at the United Reformed Church on Irving Street in Dumfries.  This starts at 4pm.

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St John’s Episcopal Church on Lovers Walk has it’s Christingle Family Service followed by Fellowship and refreshments.  The service starts at also starts at 4.

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The Baptist Church on Newall Terrace starts it’s Family Christmas Eve Service at 4.30 with fellowship and refreshments and the service commencing at 5.

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Then at 6.30 there is a festival of carols at the Crichton Memorial Church, up in the Crichton.

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At 7pm the joint congregations of St George’s and St Marys Greyfriars hold their family service in St Georges on George Street.

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St Andrews Roman Catholic Church on Brooke Street has its Christmas Vigil Mass starting at 7 o’clock

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Maxwelltown West Church has its Christmas Eve Candlelit Service  at 7pm.

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Watch Night  Service of Carols and cocoa at the Lighthouse Church at 11pm.

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The congregations of Caerlaverock, St Marys Greyfriars and St Georges meet up for a jount Watch Night Service at 11.15 in St Marys Greyfriars church on St Marys Street.

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Midnight Mass will be celebrated at St Andrews Roman Catholic Church on Brooke Street commencing at 11.30.

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Troqueer Church’s Watch Night Service starts at 11.30 in the church on Troqueer Road.

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In St Johns Scottish Episcopal Church on Newall Terrace the Midnight Eucharist of the Nativity commences at 11.30pm.

Carol Singers will be meeting up at Troqueer Church on Friday the 23^rd and on Christmas eve at 6.45.  They will be singing carols in  the streets of Troqueer from 7 o’clock.

They will be collecting money for Cancer Research Scotland and the Scottish Bible Society.  They invite you to come along and ensure you are dressed warmly. Refreshments will be served in the Centre to revive you at the end.

Forgotten Carols With The Feral Choir at 2.30pm, Dumfries Museum, The Observatory on Rotchell Road, Dumfries.

Researched & conducted by Ali Burns

This beautiful and atmospheric concert has become an essential part of Dumfries and Galloway’s winter celebrations. It features “forgotten” carols originating from Britain’s rich folk traditions. The performance is woven together with readings of contemporary poetry and prose.

Tickets £8.00 (including light refeshments)

Booking is required – please phone Dumfries Museum on 01387 253374.

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Dumfries & Galloway Schools’ Regional Youth Choir  -  Christmas Carol Concert at 7.00pm @ Crichton Church

Dumfries & Galloway Schools’ Regional Youth Choir invite you to their annual Carol Concert in the beautiful setting of the Crichton Church. All will be made very welcome to this evening of Christmas Carols to hear our young people perform a selection of Christmas music.

Audience participation will be a feature of the evening through taking part in singing some well known Christmas Carols. Also performing will be young musicians from our Schools’ Regional Brass Band.

The evening will be compèred by Andrew McKenzie and the Youth Choir is conducted by Jamie Brand.

Entrance to the concert is free of charge. A collection will be uplifted for ‘Let the Children Live’, a charity supporting street children in Columbia.

For further information please contact Alan Cameron, Education Services on 01387 260431.

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St Marys Greyfriars Church host advent discussions in the Hall on St Mary’s Street in the town.  It starts at 10am and fairtrade tea and coffee will be served afterwards.

Then at 11.30 the Church holds their Family service with the Sunday Kids.

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Dumfries Baptist Church hold their regular Morning Service including the Discoverers Nativity Play. The service is in the Dumfries High School commencing 10.30.

In the evening, from 6.30 the Baptist Church also has a praise and worship celebration of Christmas in the Church on Newall Terrace.

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The River of Life Church has its regular Sunday Service at 10.30 in the church which is sited by the train station. This Sunday is a Christmas Special, with features from Kids Church.

The River of Life also wants us to mention if you would normally be spending Christmas Day alone, you are invited to come along to the church and spend it with them.  The Christmas Day service commences at 11am and then at 1 o’clock they have their Christmas Day Dinner. As well as all the usual Christmas food there will be great company and lots of fun and games.  There is no cost, but if donations are of course welcome.  If you are on the net check out http://riveroflife.org.uk

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Maxwelltown Church West has its Christmas Family service at the Church on Laurieknowe starting at 11.

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Troqueer Church hosts their Christmas Family Service at the Church on Troqueer Road in the town starting at 11am.

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 St Andrews Roman Catholic Church on Brooke Street holds its “Christmas Big Sing” from 3 to 4pm.

7.30pm at Lighthouse Church on Maxwell St, Dumfries presents Tony Vino.
Tony has been touring the comedy scene since early 2005. Tony is best known for the way he seamlessly mixes well thought out observational humour with audience interaction and quick witted responses. His life and interests are wide ranging, and so is his material, all performed in a warm, friendly and non-offensive style.
“A Great Show, the assured Tony Vino copes with a mixed audience really well” Kate Copstic, The Scotsman
It’s going to be an amazing night. Come and enjoy a 2 course meal with fantastic entertainment. All profits go to Cash for Kids.

The cost is £7.50 for adults and £5.00 for children.
To book, please email us at lccdumfries@hotmail.com or facebook  lighthouse church.