Dear Friends

Well, Christmas is definitely coming…….

And I hope there are some lovely events that you are looking forward to.

This week we have, in our family, celebrated birthdays. And now the birthdays are over the Christmas tree is going up…

The Star is once again outside the Rectory as we wait with joyful expectation for the coming of Jesus. So, over the next two weeks there will be a proliferation of tea towels being used for shepherds and Inn keepers and Joseph’s….. not to mention tinsel as we head towards ‘Light Up High Wych’ once again with tinsel and fairy lights and joyful singing.

Our advent study this year is ‘Joy to the World’ and I realise that you may have to make a conscious effort to find joy and not let other people or the news or difficult circumstances steal your joy. Jesus is coming – and we have hope – hope for a world that at times seems hopeless. We must not forget those who in our world are dealing with the outcomes of natural disasters, war and famine – please use the Welcome sheet to help you with your prayers, and you can always join us on Tuesday mornings where we bring our world, and our community into the presence of God, in prayer.

As we move towards Christmas I hope you will find joy in all our Christmas services.

This Sunday we have our 9.30 am communion service at St James.

Followed by our communion service and Christmas preparations at St Mary’s, Gilston at 11.15 am (decorating the Christmas tree).

And then in the afternoon we can gather at 3.45 pm at St James for the ‘Light up High Wych’ ceremony and then our wonderful outdoor carol service which starts at 4.00 pm.

This joyful time of being together and singing together, hearing the Christmas story once again will be followed by a lovely community time of mulled wine, mince pies and, if you are a child, I believe that Father Christmas will be making an appearance.

Also, as a first we are gathering the men of our Community together for a Men’s Christmas meal at the Plume of Feathers, Gilston on Tuesday 16th December 7.00 for 7.30 pm. Please let Paul (my husband) know if this is something you would like to be included in at [email protected] .

I look forward to seeing you at one of our lovely services and I attach the full list of all our Christmas services across the Benefice today for you to stick on your family notice board. Come along, have some fun, meet with old friends, make some new ones and journey together as we Welcome Jesus into our midst once again.

Every blessing

Alison