Winning decor is a labor of love

Photos by Katie Riley More than 30,000 lights are used to decorate the outside and inside of the church.

The winning business entry in the holiday decoration contest has essentially been in the works for decades. Avalon Community Church’s annual Christmas decorations have become a labor of love for Worship Pastor Jon Burcombe, who has been leading the decoration process since 1995. The fact that the church won again, was no surprise to those who know his work.

“We have an amazing pastor who does a great job every year,” church assistant Katie Riley said. “I don’t expect anyone to outdo him.”

This year, with the help of Daniel Everson, Burcombe hung an estimated 30,000 lights, in a process that took about two weeks and 110 hours to complete. Burcombe views the job of decorating the church as part of his ministry and a service to the community. And it’s not just the church as Burcombe and his wife Carol reportedly go all out to decorate their home as well.