Dear friends,This week we enter into a new church season – Advent. Each year we begin the church year with atime of preparation, a time to actively wait. As with Lent in the build up to Easter, this time tointentionally think, pray and reflect on what Jesus means to us, should help us to engage more fullywith the joyful celebration of Jesus’ birth at Christmas. However, for many of us Christmas is notsolely a joyful occasion. It can bring up so many other emotions from past hurts, familydisagreements and painful memories. In particular it can make us more aware of those we miss, ofthose we will not see over the Christmas period for whatever reason. Advent can be a time to bringthese emotions to God in an open, honest and hopeful way. Knowing that God knows us deeply andloves us dearly, we can look to God’s love and light in what can be a dark season. As we anticipatecelebrating Christmas, when God’s ultimate gift of love entered our world, we can also anticipate atime in the future when we will see the world differently, as it is bathed in the healing light of God’sfull presence. For those who are remembering lost loved ones we will be creating a special space thisyear in our beautiful church garden. Light the Night, will be an opportunity to light a candle andspend some time in prayer and thought, as we remember those we have lost. Do come and joinBecky and I on Saturday 16th December, anytime between 4:30 and 6:30pm.Our advent groups got off to a great start with lots of interesting conversations and some preciousmoments of sharing our thoughts. My group met around the beautiful and thought-provokingChristmas tree that Clare and Carrie made with such creativity. It made a wonderful setting for ourconversations around the first part of Mark’s gospel as we speculated on why Jesus was such aninstantly impactful person, immediately recognised as different from the other scholars and teachersof his time. If you would like to join an advent group, you are not too late! Our Tuesday eveninggroup meets for the first time this coming Tuesday. Alternatively, you are welcome to take thematerial to use at home for personal study.As always December is a busy time at St Martin’s with lots of additional services and activities takingplace. In addition to our usual Warm Space Café our church will be welcoming so many people fromthe local community, including children from Knowle Park school who will experience “ChristmasThrough The Keyhole”. Details of all our Christmas events are on the flyer attached, do have a look tosee if there is something that stands out to you that you would like to join us for this Advent.As the days get darker and colder, I pray that each of us would experience the warmth and light ofGod in our hearts and homes. May each of us receive the abundant blessings God has for each andevery one of us, knowing that we are welcomed, loved and accepted.Grace & peace,Rev’d Phil