I hope you have been able to stay warm in this colder weather. I went out earlier today to see the animals at St. James farm and the volunteers were working hard to break up the icy drinking troughs. Now, I am sat here in the vicarage with my coat on and an extra heater by my side to keep me warm.
The warmth that I am looking for today was present in abundance on Monday when I was privileged to visit the home of Jos (Joscelyn) and Klara Grant in order to take Holy Communion and then present Jos with the certificate and medal that mark his admission into The Company of St. Kyneburga. Created in 2013, the Company of St Kyneburga is a group of people who have served the Diocese of Gloucester with distinction. Members of the Company are nominated, and if selected, admitted to the Company by Bishop Rachel and receive their medal of membership at a service in the Cathedral. The service for Jos was in June 2025 but he was unable to attend due to mobility issues.
Presenting the certificate and medal to Jos was a highlight, not just of this week, but of my entire time in ministry so far. Jos and Klara have a home that radiates welcome and warmth. Hilary Cass, Sandie Reeves, Mike and June Price, Rev Suki, myself, Klara and Jos squeezed ourselves into the front room for the time of Communion and celebration. What a servant to the church Jos has been! Jos has served at Christ Church since 1962, in various roles such as server, verger, church warden, and most importantly as a faithful presence and guide, welcoming people in to the body of Christ, his Church.
Jos continues to worship with us at St. James through the Zoom link on a Sunday morning. We thank him, again, for his commitment, love, and prayers over so many decades.
The other time of great warmth this week was on Wednesday when the church hosted a pantomime for the children from St. James Junior School. I am confident I will never hear such loud shrieks of delight and laughter as I did then! Some of the teachers were having to leave to remove hearing aids and take a break as it was so loud. It was a time full of Joy. And Joy is what we are being encouraged to spend time reflecting on this Advent and Christmas.
As we get close to the Advent season my prayer is that we might experience more Joy in our lives and be a source of Joy to one another. It is often true that holding on to Joy can be difficult for many of us. Hopefully we can share openly with one another over the coming weeks about our obstacles to Joy and support one another in our journey towards ever closer relationship as brothers and sisters in the body of Christ.