Registration for the Diocese of Camden’s Office of Family and Youth Ministries inaugural Gingerbread Church Decorating Competition has opened. A link to the registration form can be found at camdendiocese.org/gingerbread.
The competition is open to professional, amateur individuals and groups, and students ages 12-17. Depending on the entry, bakers and decorators will be charged with making confections of either famous churches or local churches.
Prizes range from $100 to $500 for the top three entrants in all four categories.
Accepted entries will be on display from Nov. 17 to Dec. 29 in the Cumberland Mall, Vineland.
As noted in an earlier article, this competition is a great way to for people to reflect on both their parish church and the famous churches of the Catholic faith.
With gingerbread houses being a staple of the holiday season, “This is an opportunity for us to immerse ourselves in faith – while having fun – during one of the busiest times of the year,” said Jose Rodriguez, the office’s director. The mall display, he said, “Will be a subtle reminder to shoppers what the season is really all about.”
“For professional bakers, we hope to showcase some of the great local talent working in South Jersey,” Rodriguez said.
A blue-ribbon panel will judge the gingerbread churches and award prizes to the most impressive structures, which will remain displayed throughout the season in the mall, which offers the benefit of reminding buyers and window-shoppers alike of the true nature of Christmas, beyond the hustle and bustle of the season.
On select dates during the display’s run, local parish and school choirs are expected to perform Advent and Christmas songs. In addition, volunteers are needed for the 4-9 p.m. busy shopping time to help oversee the displays, and welcome curious shoppers or tell them more about the Catholic Church and its ministries.
“This competition and display are an evangelization tool,” Rodriguez said. For some who have fallen away from the faith, “seeing their churches could be an invitation to come back. Maybe they will be reminded of how they grew up in a certain parish or where they received their sacraments. Others may say, ‘I baptized my child in that church!’”
Rodriguez said he is looking forward to seeing how young people interpret their churches through their creations. For example, some may focus on a particular stained-glass window. Others may pay added attention to a statue outside. As youth construct their creations with gumdrops, icing and candy canes, parents may learn more about what stands out to them about their parish church.
“I’m going to be interested to see what they see,” he said.
To learn more, visit camdendiocese.org/gingerbread or contact Jose Rodriguez at Jose.Rodriguez@camdendiocese.org or (856) 583-2908. The Cumberland Mall is located at 3849 S. Delsea Dr., Vineland.
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