WARDEN’S BRIEF Advent is the period of preparation before Christmas. For the Church, it is a time for reflection in darkness, for renewal of hope and for a movement towards a beginning. Church decorations are simple and sparse, and purple is the traditional colour used. This is in contrast to Christmas itself from 25th through to 12th night on 5th Jan. After record attendances with the Remembrance Service both in Church and at the War Memorial, and the Thanksgiving Service for Michael Rice, the Church is now readying itself for our full programme of services for Christmas. We start on Advent Sunday (30th November) with a Family Communion for all ages. We hope to welcome many families from Forest Church who are invited to attend. This will be led by Fiona at 9.30am. Forest Church itself has surpassed previously high attendance figures with 45 parents/carers and children on Sunday 2nd November. This is such a wonderful expression of what Forest Church means to so many families and our thanks go to the organisers, parents and children who are contributing to this success. They can look forward to their own Christingle Service on 7th December. All children are welcome but please let Bel or Gill know if you would like to join us so we have enough Christingle kits. Everyone is welcome to join in the traditional Lessons and Carols at 6.30 on 14th December and the 4pm Crib Service and 6pm Carol Service both on 24th December. On Christmas day we have communion at 10am. If any family groups would like to help with readings at any of these services this would be welcomed and wonderful. It can be fun to take part so please give this some thought.When the PCC met in November our discussions included: the budget and our contribution to the diocese for the coming year, planning for services through to Easter 2026 and initial planning for the APCM now set for April 13th. There will be vacancies for people to join the PCC & churchwarden. Volunteers are needed to organise the churchyard working parties or to join the various rotas to participate in services and their running. The PCC know some people were disappointed at the sound during Remembrance events; we are working on this and would welcome more volunteers to help with maintaining and operating the AV systems. We are so grateful to everyone who has helped our community in 2025 and thank God for all he is doing in Leigh. We wish everyone Joy this Christmas. Richard & Linda
