Good Afternoon!
I hope you are keeping safe and well.
Christmas Services
With just over a week to go, I wanted to send a reminder out about our Christmas services. We will have in-person services on Christmas Eve at 11.30pm, Christmas Day at 8am and 10am and on the 27th December at 10am. All of these services will be communion services as we celebrate the birth of Christ. Booking for these services will open tomorrow morning. In the lead up to the services, I will be creating seating plans so that we can use the church space as safely and as effectively as possible to try and get as many people in. If we can release any further seating closer to Christmas we will, and I will let you know via an update. Our services will also be streamed online.
Our carol service will take place this Sunday evening at 6.30pm on our Youtube and Facebook pages and also our website. I hope you enjoy singing along at home! Throughout the service, a number of candles will be lit, if you want to join in with lighting candles, there are packs of 6 candles available at church for you to take home and use during the service. If you are picking up a pack for yourself, why not pick one up for your neighbour too and invite them to tune in to the carol service?
Christmas Quiz
On Saturday evening at 7.30pm we will be holding another zoom based quiz, this time around the theme of Christmas. Those who joined in with the Harvest quiz have told me they really enjoyed it – do join us if you can for some fun. Tickets are a £10 donation to The Children Society and you can get the login details from the office. If you don’t manage to get to the parish office by the weekend and still want to join in, let me know, and I can send you the details and get Santa to chase you for your donation!
Field of Light
2020 has been a difficult year for many people. With social distancing, isolation and lockdowns, life has changed dramatically. Part of the difficulty for many people has been the loss of family members and friends and not being able to say goodbye properly. As Christmas approaches, normally families would gather together to celebrate, but for many this won’t be possible. On Monday 21st December, during the longest night, we are inviting people to come and light a candle to remember those loved ones who have died or even to remember family that we can’t celebrate Christmas with. Between 5pm and 7pm bring a candle in a jar to place in the front field. In the simple act of lighting a candle, we are sharing light and hope trusting that things will get better and easier. There will be no formal act of worship at this event, but it is a simple opportunity for you to come and have a moment of quiet and space to remember and say thank you to those you are remembering.
Advent Reflections
Thank you to everyone that has contributed to the Advent Reflections on the last couple of weeks (and those I have already read for next week), they have been really encouraging and creative as well.
Advent Challenge
Thank you for all your generous support with my advent challenge, so far we have raised over £2000. Thank you!! Last week on day 12, 5km in my back gave way and I struggled with moving. I have been resting up the last few days, but hope to get back out on the circuit before Christmas.
Sharing the Light
You have probably already put your Christmas Decorations up, but as people were encouraged to put things in their windows earlier in the year, I wondered if you might put a picture of a Christingle in your window for Christmas. Attached is a template you might want to copy, or print off and colour in.
Finally, Jess, Samuel and I want to say thank you for all the kind Christmas greetings we have received and wish you all a very joyful and peaceful Christmas. We have missed spending time with so many of you this year, and are praying that that might change in 2021.
With prayers for a joyful Christmas,
Calum