Christmas is a busy time for most people, but even more so if you are with the Salvation Army.

As well as preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus, providing music supporting our Sunday Services, the musical sections of the Maidstone Corps have been engaged in many events throughout December.

Without a doubt, the largest of these events was on Saturday 10th, with the Band playing in Week Street in the center of the town from 9am through to 5pm. The main Band split into two groups, doing alternate two hour shifts. It should be recognised that this whole event was not just about the Band playing, but was a big effort on behalf of the whole Corps. Many others were involved in making the day go smoothly, there were many collectors on hand accepting grateful donations from members of the public, which goes towards some of the Salvation Army's social care and welfare activities, always more necessary at this time of year. There were more helpers back at the hall, counting the money from the collectors, and preparing a meals for the Bands and collectors when they swapped around and returned for refreshments, rest and to warm up, though compared to recent years, the weather was kind to us, staying dry and not too cold.

Not only were we truly blessed by the weather and the generous response from the public, we had members from our YP (young peoples) Band, standing along side us, showing the strong commitment to music ministry, afterall, they are the Bandsmen and women of tomorrow.

When not playing, it was a pleasure being able to stop and talk to shoppers about Christmas, giving, music and sometimes simply listening to stories where the Salvation Army has had a positive effect on them or their family in the past, or them just listening to the Carols and making it 'feel' like Christmas.

Of course the Corps and musical sections have taken part in many other engagements, more carolling at various locations, including Bearsted, Boughton Monchelsea and several visits to Tesco (Grove Green), Notcutts and Fremlin Walk, where on one occasion we joined with the combined choir sections from other members of Maidstone Churches to provide music for the singing voices, the union of the various Church groups was another truely wonderful blessing that brought many to stop and think about the true meaning of celebrations.

On top of that there were additional engagements for the Songster Brigade (adult choir) with Carols by Candlelight, the Civic Carol Concert and a couple of smaller groups dropping into local retirement homes, this year being led by our new Songster Leader, Rachel Walters.