Belonging through Events? Exploring the Demographic Profile, Motivations, and Experiences of Those Attending the Afternoon Carol Services on Christmas Eve at Liverpool Cathedral

This study tests the strength of Bishop David Walker’s notion belonging to God through Anglican Church participation in events, by exploring demographic profile, motivations, and experiences 1234 participants attending two afternoon Carol Services on Christmas Eve 2019 at Liverpool Cathedral, alongside 564 who completed same survey evening Holly Bough Service Fourth Sunday Advent 2019. The data confirmed importance event-belonging for 76% do not regularly attend church services but return year Cathedral often invite friends join them. also affirmed presence newcomers (12%) returnees. Between two-thirds three-quarters perceived beneficial impact their personal wellbeing. For participants, what drew them made experience so special was simply quality music (93%), opportunity remember story (82%).