GRATWICH NEWSLETTER <span style="font-size: 1rem;">DECEMBER 2021</span>
GRATWICH SERVICES IN DECEMBER <span style="font-size: 1rem;">IN ST. MARY’S</span>
SUNDAY 12th 11.15am HOLY COMMUNION
CHRISTMAS EVE CRIB SERVICE 7.30pm
With Mulled wine & Mince Pies
Please wrap up warmly when you come to the Crib Service as the heating is not working!
It would be lovely if everyone wore their Christmas Jumpers/Hats/Nativity Costumes.
Well, what a year we have had – this time last year we were in lockdown, all services were via Zoom and Christmas was very quiet! This year we have the problem of no heating in church whilst we await the rewiring in the New Year. Fund raising is going well, so far <span style="font-size: 1rem;">with your help, we have raised £2500 and only just started. As soon as the estimate comes </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">in for the rewiring we will be able to start applying for grants from various organisations towards the costs.</span>
Many thanks to Carolyn for starting the fundraising off last month by holding the lovely Bonfire & Firework Party (and everyone who helped her) it was so good to see everyone.
We also have lots of exciting events planned from now until September 2022 the dates of which will be in January Newsletter.
Starting with the Carol Singing Evening and Auction 11th December (see attached flier).
At the Carol Singing Evening there will be an opportunity to hang a card to remember <span style="font-size: 1rem;">loved ones on the Christmas Tree, Sue will have some cards at the event.</span>
On December 12th, the community in St George’s Chapel, Windsor will be praying <span style="font-size: 1rem;">for us, as one of the Dean and Canons’ patronages.</span>
I have taken the liberty of sending them our Area prayers for December so they may <span style="font-size: 1rem;">pray our prayers with us.</span>
They send their good wishes to us all too.
Kind regards,
Lesley
Lesley J White (Mrs),
Area Coordinator and PA to Area Rector for Uttoxeter Area of Parishes.
EVENTS IN DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS MARKET Saturday 4th December 10.00am – 3.00pm
at St. Michael’s Church Rocester (Santa will be there 1.00 – 3.00pm)
CAROL SINGING EVENING Saturday 11th December 7.00pm onwards
on St. Mary’s CHURCH CROFT, Gratwich
With an opportunity to hang a remembrance card on the tree
CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING Tuesday 14th December 10.30am – 11.45am
Marchington Woodlands Village Hall with a raffle, mince pies, jams & pickles, cards
CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL 19th – 24th December 10.00am – 4.00pm daily
in St. Mary’s Church, Uttoxeter
100 CLUB – November - drawn at the Zoom service on Sunday 28th November
1st Rosemary Hollins
2nd Angela & Matt Downing
3rd Sophia Capewell
The next draw will be at the Crib service on Christmas Eve
CLEANING ROTA
Carol Woolley & Jenny Talbot
Area Staff letter for December 2021 from Rev. Chris Brown
Dear friends,
As I sit writing this letter to you all I am reminded by the weather of how the seasons progress through our lives. Last night we put our clocks back an hour rising this morning in expectation of a light and bright morning. But no, it was dark and dismal until ten thirtyish. All of a sudden the sun shone brightly through the church windows dazzling everyone inside. All this helped me to focus on this December letter. As we approach the celebration of the arrival of the Christ child into our world, and probably more importantly into our lives, we spend Advent preparing ourselves to greet Christ.
In preparing any letter or talk about Jesus I always try to place myself in his time so that I can attempt to understand something of what he was talking about, in the context of the world as it was then. How would the people of Jesus’ time have seen today? Would they have been able to comprehend the freedom we have? Would changing the hour on the clocks make them smile and say “you cannot change the weather or the happenings of the seasons”? Could they take on board the busyness of our lives?
As the people struggled under the weight of the Roman occupation the promise from the Prophets of better things to come must have seemed like a bright beacon before their eyes something to look forward to, a promise of freedom, a promise of light and the fulfilment of God’s covenant with his people.
When you read this letter will we be in similar circumstances? Listening to the experts on the news and in the papers it would appear we are heading for a time of severe shortages. With the aftereffects of the pandemic still hovering over us are we in a similar position to the people of Jesus’ time? The threat of another lockdown looming over us. The rising numbers of infections. Seeing the nurses and doctors straining to cope.
The times of darkness seem to be all about us, but, as Pip says in Dickens novel, we have “great expectations” in the fact that God has never ever turned away from us and always pours out his unconditional love on us all the time, in the sending of his Son, Jesus, born in a dark and oppressed time, in a dark and dismal stable to bring us all hope and love, not just over the Christmas period but in all our lives.
All God’s blessings. Chris.
For further information please contact:
Rev. Charles Dale 01889 500428: email: [email protected]
Jenny Talbot: 01889 50241 email: [email protected]
Facebook: St. Mary’s Church Gratwich