Dear Friends,
Please forgive the lateness of my Saturday bulletin, I got a little bit distracted by the Strictly final which was just the tonic needed after the announcements this evening regarding covid and the Christmas holiday. I guess this evening we are all feeling just a little bit deflated as we take on board the reality of the situation and for me personally the joyous escapism of watching people dance was just what I needed to lift my mood. (And the fact the Bill Bailey won was the iciing on the cake or should I say glitter ball!)
Looking ahead to these next couple of weeks we shall continue to monitor the situation but whilst we remain in Tier 3 the following will still be going ahead and I hope will bring some comfort and joy to all.....
Christmas Trees in Church
All Saints has now been beautifully decorated with 40 trees from local organisations and businesses and as always people's creativity is out in force. We shall be open for you to come and walk round every morning from 10 - 12 from <strong>Monday 21st - Thursday 24th</strong> and <strong>Monday 28th - Thursday 31st.</strong> In addition, the church is open on Saturday mornings for private prayer including on Boxing Day.
Carol and Christmas Services
The Mayor's Community Carol service is now full but can be viewed on the Charnwood Borough Facebook Page. There are still tickets available for the Folk Carol Service on Tuesday evening and for the Christmas Blues on Wednesday evening. Midnight Mass and Christmas Day also still have space. It is FREE to attend, with the option to make a donation, but you MUST GET A TICKET for these services. Click on this https://linktr.ee/ASwHTLboro and then choose the service you would like more information and tickets for. These services, apart from Midnight Mass are also available to view online here https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNymtzHV8G_EfZprXch9RIg
A reminder that only the choirs will be able to sing and it's very important not only that we adhere to the guidance around face masks and social distancing but that we don't gather with people outside of our household when we attend the church building.
Carols on the Green
To give us the opportunity to sing together we shall be holding a half hour carol service on the Parish Green at 4pm on Christmas Eve. You DO NOT NEED A TICKET for this service but everyone attending will be asked to leave their details for track and trace, to wear a face covering and to be responsible for keeping 2 meters from those not in your own household or support bubble. This is an outdoor only event so please wrap up warm.
Worship tomorrow for the fourth Sunday of Advent</strong>
Emily will be leading Morning Prayer at 9.00am</strong> on https://www.facebook.com/allsaintsloughborough from her shed and I will be presiding at Communion at 10.30am in the church with Bob Edge preaching. This service is also live streamed on YouTube.
At 6pm we have the last of our Advent reflections</strong> on zoom, to join please use the details below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88362102409?pwd=WnZxYVlDR3hrTlpXamYyVFVJT29NUT09
Meeting ID: 883 6210 2409
Passcode: 749201
Dial in instead:
0203 901 7895 or 0131 460 1196
Using Meeting ID: 883 6210 2409
Passcode: 749201
Next Sunday 27th December
There is no main service from All Saints next Sunday as we all take a bit of a rest after the business of this coming week. I will lead Morning Prayer at the usual time of 9.00am on Facebook.
Christmas Gift Appeal
I am so pleased to tell you that our appeal has now reached £4292 which is amazing and meant I ran my fourth Santa run this morning. The suit is looking a little worn (as was I by the end of today's run!) but I'm all ready to do the next one as soon as we reach the next thousand pound mark. The appeal is staying open to the end of the month and my running companion this morning challenged me to extend the distance of my runs as the amounts increase. So, Graeme Smith challenge accepted!! From now on I shall match the number of kilometres I run to the amount in the appeal which means if we hit our target, I could be running a 10k on New Year's Eve!!
Thank you to those who have already donated and here is the link for those who would like to:
https://givealittle.co/campaigns/37c0759e-edf2-4572-8276-e8e003489758
Donations can also be brought to the church.
Rainbows Carol Concert Tomorrow 4pm
Before she went on maternity leave Emma Trounson worked with singers from All Saints and across the community to put together a virtual choir performance of Hark the Herald for an online Carol Concert in aid of Rainbow's Hospice. Details are attached. Do tune in to see some familiar faces.
Midweek Muse Christmas Special
Lastly I am excited to tell you that this Tuesday at 12.15pm I shall be joined by amongst others, the Bishop of Loughborough in my weekly look at the scriptures on our Youtube channel. It was announced this week that Bishop Guli has been appointed BIshop of Chelmsford and so will be leaving our diocese in the spring so I feel very fortunate to have got her on the 'show' before she leaves. Do tune in live and join in the conversation as we reflect on the bible readings for the Christmas season.
Yours in Christ
Wendy