This was the week of Christmas lunches and fairs. In particular, Wednesday was the day of numerous Christmas events. It was lovely to be able to visit the All Nation’s Community Centre to see and hear Carlton Green share his memories of the Jamaican community in Gloucester. This was part of the pre-Christmas lunch entertainment the centre had put on. Then I was treated to delicious Christmas food at the Fair Shares Christmas Party which I think I invited myself too! It has been great to begin to get to know some of the folk connected to Fair Shares at the Friendship Café. A big thank you to Viv from church for introducing me to many people there. Then, it was onto the St James Junior School Christmas Fair. I didn’t have long there but just long enough to have a go at the tombola: 3 tickets, 0 wins, and then the Raffle: 10 tickets, 2 prizes! After a lifetime of bad luck I have had a lot of success at raffles this year. Long may it continue. This creates a moral dilemma in me about whether I should be accepting the prizes or ‘generously’ putting them back in the pot for others? I hope you’ll be pleased to know that I decided to keep them! Which means the next time you visit the vicarage there should be some “Mom’s Magic Cranberry and Strawberry Cookies” on offer.
After all that Christmas activity it was time to return to Advent. Wednesday was also the last of our 3 Advent bible reflection groups in the church. We have spent time reflecting and sharing on the themes of hope, peace and joy. A group of 7 of us spent time with Psalm 16 which included these words, “You always show me the path of life. You will fill me with joy when I am with you”. We discussed whether the path of life was straight or winding. I discovered that I agree with the Beatles when they sang “The long and winding road”. It has been so nourishing to begin to share faith and worship with you all at St. James. This advent group has been small but perfectly formed and my thanks go out to my fellow travellers through this season of Advent.
The journey is almost at an end, in the stable and God’s gift of his son. Do join us for one of our final Advent events and celebrate with us when we get to Christmas itself. We have all come along way to be wherever we are today; so, let us come together and celebrate together. Through it all, we have remained steadfast and received the gifts of hope, peace, joy and love to sustain us on our way.
As Juliette and I celebrate our first Christmas with you all we’d like to say a huge “Thank you” for your warm and generous welcome. We already feel very much ‘at home’ in St. James' and look forward to where the road will take us as we journey onwards with you.
With peace and best wishes.
Rev Steve
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(My day off is usually Monday)