Last December, thousands of churches extended ‘The Great Invitation’ from the Church of England to Follow the Star to their local church in person once again. Helped, of course, by a return to a more normal Christmas, 2022’s Follow the Star saw significant growth in engagement across a wide range of indicators on social media and sign ups to reflections.As we did last year with The Great Invitation, we’re also developing brand-new resources and ideas which can be used alongside branding from previous years.This year’s theme – Follow the Star: Join the Song – highlights how singing can help draw us closer to God and each other through the journey from Advent to Epiphany.The storyThe shepherds went back,singing praises to God for all they had heard and seen;it had been just as the angel had told them.- Luke 2.20 (GNB)In the story of the first Christmas, the shepherds are astonished to find the night sky filled with countless voices singing God’s praise.Amazed as they are, the shepherds take up angel’s invitation and hurry to Bethlehem. And it isn’t long before the shepherds are singing, too, praising God and sharing the good news of Jesus’ birth.Centuries later, singing is still central to how millions of people celebrate the good news of Christmas. Singing and hearing carols can enable people of all ages to get in touch with the wonder and the truth of the Christmas story.
All Saints Church is pleased to announced the provision of a qualified BSL interpreter twice a month. Starting in October, on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month Roma and Anna will interpret the full service and coffee time to enable our Deaf members of the congregation to better access the service and fellowship in church. Until recently Mary has been informally signing the songs, but we felt called a sa church to provide a more inclusive experience for everyone in the church family. She will continue to support the interpreters on a Sunday and we are very excited to confirm that the PCC confirmed it will finance Mary’s next BSL qualification. Ted and Harriet have said that if anyone would like to meet informally for a coffee and to learn some sign language, please get in touch (either through the church office, or on Sunday) and if there is enough interest then we will look to hosting the sessions in the church cafe.
