Dear FriendsWell, this is it, the countdown to Christmas…Last week we had a lovely time at the Advent Study – it was such a joy to be with you.This week… apart from video, music and conversation we are making Christmas cookies.There is room for anyone else who would like to come so just let me know and I will make sure there is a chair for you (you might have to bring your own rolling pin though). Wed evening (tonight) 7.30 pm at the Rectory.I would just like to draw your attention to our Advent Challenge for this year (see flyer).Which finishes early as the bags are being made up on 13th December 2025, so all donations before that time will be gratefully received.Our plan is to support the Winter Night Shelter in Bishop Stortford again this year by using a giant Christmas card to send seasons greetings to each other and donating the money we would have spent on Christmas cards. The card should be in church for you soon to start writing on, thanks to Sam, for organising this again.Just a heads up – we will need a group to come to the Rectory on 23rd December to make up the Christingle bags. We have had great fun working together doing this over the past couple of years, please let me know if this is something you would like to get involved in.We are aiming to make over 200 Christingle kits this year – the bags are bought, the candles and red ribbon ready, I’ve even got the sweets. As last year, nearer the 23rd we will need 200 oranges. If any of you could donate in that last week a bag of large oranges we should have enough to make the Christingles. This Sunday sees Judith Denton, our Reader, preaching at the 8.00 am BCP at St James and then we will have a Family friendly feel at our Family service at 9.30 am at St James. We start with breakfast and around 10.00 am we will begin our service, following the theme of our Advent Study and one of my favourite Christmas hymns – Joy to the World. There will be lots of activity and some familiar carols as we celebrate the Christmas story together.I hope to see you again soonEvery Christmas blessingAlison
Joy to the World! Dear friends, Every Christmas, when we lift our voices to sing “Joy to the World,” something stirs in my heart and I hope in yours too. Those familiar words — “The Lord is come!” — remind us that joy isn’t just a feeling for a season; it’s the presence of Jesus Himself. He is our joy — God with us, right here in the middle of our ordinary lives. Still, I know that for many, this season can be bittersweet. The world feels heavy at times — full of noise, worry, and uncertainty. Some of us are missing loved ones or carrying quiet burdens. And yet, this is exactly where the message of Christmas breaks through. The angels didn’t bring their good news to a perfect world. They came to shepherds in the dark, saying, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy for all people.”That same message is for us today. Real joy isn’t about pretending everything is fine. It’s about knowing that even in the struggle, God is near. Jesus came so that we would never have to face life’s challenges alone. He entered the world not as a distant king, but as a child in a manger — humble, close, and full of love. If we take a moment to look around, despite the challenges we may face, in our every day lives we can see signs of His joy everywhere. In the sparkle of children’s laughter. In the quiet peace that comes when we pray. In a simple walk in nature. In the kindness of a neighbour or the warmth of a shared meal, or the fun of being together. Joy shows up when we choose gratitude, forgiveness, and hope — when we let God’s love shape the way we see and treat others. My prayer this Christmas is that you’ll experience that deep, steady joy — not just for a day, but as a way of living. Let’s share it freely, especially with those who need it most. A simple smile, a visit, a prayer — these small acts can carry the light of Christ into someone’s darkness. So, dear friends, may your hearts be filled with the true joy that Jesus brings — a joy that strengthens, comforts, and renews. Let’s welcome Him again with open hearts and voices that sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!” “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” — Philippians 4:4 With love and every blessing, Your Priest Rev Alison Jackson
Dear AllI hope you are managing to keep warm through this cold snap, now’s the time to dig out hats, scarves and gloves – if you can find them!This weekend sees another busy time for us all.You can come to High Wych Memorial Hall to pick up a hoop at the ‘Let there be light’ workshop from 10.00 am to 11.30 am on Saturday 22nd November, some materials can be provided. Janet will give us a demonstration of what we can do. These hoops will be used to decorate the village for our ‘Light up High Wych’ event which takes place at 3.45 pm on 14th December 2025 just ahead of our outdoor Carol service again this year at St James. Come and have some fun and eat cake and drink hot drinks and spend time together with your friends.Or you may want to join us on Saturday 22nd November in the afternoon from 2.00 pm at St Botolph’s, Eastwick for the last ‘tidy up the churchyard’ session for the end of the year. Refreshments are provided, we may also be planting bulbs around Eastwick if we have enough volunteers.On Sunday 23rd November we have our usual Holy Communion service at St James at 9.30 am and we will have a Family service at St Botolph’s, Eastwick at 11.15 am.There will also be a wedding in St James church on Sunday afternoon, so the church itself will be closed from Saturday morning as the flowers go in for the wedding.As we are moving rapidly towards Christmas, I attach the 2025 Advent Challenge to help the Pop-Up Shop in Sawbridgeworth in case you want to get involved.We have lots of opportunities to meet up this weekend, I hope I see you soon.Every blessingAlison
Dear FriendsThis week in both St Mary’s, Gilston and St James, High Wych we are running something called Safeguarding Sunday. Safeguarding will be the focus of our service and Cath Sharples our Safeguarding Officer will be running us through some of the things we may not know, as legislation in this area is changing rapidly.I know many of you are currently DBS checked for our different church activities and will be on a regular programme of safeguarding training, but for many of you this maybe the first time you have considered safeguarding in a church setting.We will not be showing any videos for this service, but their maybe elements of what we are talking about that maybe ‘triggering’ from your past experience. If this is you, you may not want to attend this service or may want to make a time to meet with myself or Cath to discuss things through with a safeguarded adult.Both services will still be Holy Communion services and follow the usual service sheet. St Mary’s service is an extra service to the normal timetable as we swopped last week to St Botolph’s, Eastwick, because of the Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial. If you normally come to St Mary’s this will help you understand the change of date for this month.On Sunday afternoon we will have our Messy Church session in High Wych Hall 3.00 pm – 5.00 pm. (see attached flyer for more details). Please invite a family member or neighbour if you think this is something they would enjoy. The theme for this Sunday is ‘Jesus the Good Shepherd’. We will also be welcoming Freya (who was baptised a couple of weeks ago) into our Messy Church family.Next weekend we have our churchyard clear up at St Botolph’s, Eastwick, please come if you are able, refreshments will be provided and it has turned into a fun, community event each time we have done this.I look forward to meeting you at one or more of these events as we strive to; Grow in Faith, Grow in Hope, and Grow in Love.Every blessingAlison
