GRATWICH NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2022
For further information about anything in the newsletter, please contact:
Jenny Talbot: 01889 502471 email: [email protected]
Facebook: St. Mary’s Church Gratwich
EVENTS IN DECEMBER – OTHER PARISHES
THE HEATH CHORUS Saturday 3rd December 7.15pm to 8.15pm
United Reformed Church, Uttoxeter performance of Christmas music
with a retiring collection and Refreshments.
MARCHINGTON SINGERS Saturday 10th December 7.30pm
Uttoxeter, St. Mary’s Church, Singing Christmas Songs & Carols
Phone: Tim Scott 07812 064279 for tickets
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 17th – 23th December 10.00am – 4.00pm daily
in St. Mary’s Church, Uttoxeter
GRATWICH 100 CLUB – November & December will be drawn at the Crib Service
CLEANING ROTA
Carol Woolley & Jenny Talbot
Area Letter from Rev. Charles Dale
How quickly time moves on! The last Area Letter I wrote, was in February, right at the end of the Christmas season as we celebrated Candlemas. Yet here we are in this Advent Season, preparing for another Christmas!
It is Autumn going on Winter, with long days of darkness, of chill and of putting on thicker clothes and coats to keep us warm. The central heating is on and fires lit to cheer us! But who doesn’t like taking a walk, kicking the fallen leaves, underfoot!?
. However, I don’t like these dark chilly dreary days, much preferring the long warm days of summer light and colour. In the darkness of this season, we can become a little gloomy in ourselves too. Gloomy not just because of the dark dreary days, but also because of what’s happening both in our own lives and in the world; of all the events taking place and of the precarious economic outlook, making us think of what we can or cannot afford, especially in this season of excess.
We cannot but be affected by circumstances, both near and far.
These can test our resolve and our faith
Of course, all this is nothing new; with the exception of climate change, much of what is happening around the world has happened before in one way or another. All these things can be a real distraction for us making our Advent preparations and celebrating once again the coming of God into his world on that first Christmas Day. It can be difficult to reconcile all this, with what’s going on.
Thankfully God knows what he is doing! It is no mistake that God comes to be with us, in the form of a helpless poor baby. The scriptures describe him as Emmanuel (God with us) who comes at the darkest time of the year. It is this helpless baby, who came to bring light, life, healing and wholeness to all the dark places of the world and to our lives.
It is precisely because of this, that in whatever circumstance we may find ourselves, we can and should rejoice in God’s wonderful gift to us in his Son Jesus Christ. Christmas is a time to remember, to give thanks, as well as to give and to receive, and to celebrate in the most special and precious ways with those we love and those around us. We are called to be that light shining for Christ. To be that special gift to all whom we meet.
I do like that Christmas is a celebration of the ‘Light of the World’ coming among us, to be with us, to experience what we experience, bringing hope for today and tomorrow; God’s love shining in the darkness. Yes, it is a season of excess, but rather than material excess, it is a celebration of an excess of love, freely given to all who put their trust in Jesus, the light of the world.
May He be your light, your love, joy, peace and your hope as you journey on.
Blessings and peace
Charles
Rev Charles Dale, minister with PTO across the Area.
DECEMBER SERVICES IN ST. MARY’S
SUNDAY 11th 11.15am MORNING PRAYER & BAPTISM
CHRISTMAS EVE CRIB SERVICE 7.00pm
With Mulled wine & Mince Pies
It would be lovely if everyone wore their Christmas Jumpers/Hats/Nativity Costumes.
Many thanks to Carolyn for the fantastic bonfire and fireworks evening last month, it
was so good to see everyone and have a village get together.
This month as well as our usual services, we have Carol Singing and Auction ( mulled
wine & mince pies too!) on 17th December 7.00pm in Church, with an opportunity to hang a card on the Christmas Tree to remember loved ones.
There will be some cards on the evening, or you are welcome to bring your own
Come in your Christmas Jumpers, hats and Nativity Costumes.
We need some ideas for a Village get together in the New Year towards the end of January or beginning of February? Email your ideas to [email protected].
Phone me on 01889 502471 or pop round and discuss ideas over a cup of tea (+ biscuits)
CAROL SINGING EVENING
SATURDAY 17TH DECEMBER 2022
7.00PM ONWARDS
Come and join us in St. Mary’s CHURCH Gratwich
for an evening of Carol singing round the Christmas Tree.
With an opportunity to hang a remembrance card on the tree
Mulled wine & Mince Pies
Collection and Auction afterwards
PLEASE LET SUE KNOW IF YOU ARE COMING (01889 502241) - SO WE HAVE ENOUGH REFRESHMENTS
AUCTION ITEMS
HALF A LAMB
Kindly Donated by Mr & Mrs N Mottram
CHRISTMAS HAMPER
CHRISTMAS CAKE
6 BOTTLES OF WINE – 2 Red, 2 White, 2 Rose
If you would like to place commission bids for the items
please let Sue know (01889 502241)
Post your local Christmas cards in town at HALF price to raise money for Guide Dogs for the Blind
Post: Dianne H, Hairline, Edmonson's butchers, Library, Abbots Bromley village shop & Wilsons Butcher at Cobwebs, Sergeants’ butchers at Bramshall, Denstone Farm shop, Rocester Village Shop, Ashbourne Road Shop and Kingfisher Way shop.
The stamps Cost 35p
Delivery to: Uttoxeter, Abbots Bromley, Bramshall, Checkley, Denstone, Doveridge, Kingstone, Marchington (not Woodlands), Rocester and Stramshall
Closing date: midday on 13th December
ALSO
Sue Cotton is collecting used postage stamps, both foreign and British, for the RNIB – there is a box at the back of church for them.
Please leave a couple of centimetres around them.
Thank You.