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St Mary’s News – The Posada & Shoebox Edition

St Mary’s News – Posada & Christmas Shoebox

Remembrance poppy

We start the Advent experience of Posada (a Mexican tradition). Following this we look at:

… the usual listings of services and contacts.

The Advent Experience of Posada

Mary & Jospeh Posada

Posada originates from Mexico where people dress as Mary and Joseph and re-enact the journey to Bethlehem, travelling from house to house asking for a place to stay (the word Posada means an inn). In recent years, this idea has been modified by churches in this country by sending the figures of Mary and Joseph and the donkey from house to house during Advent.

This year, we are offering the Posada experience in West Bergholt. From Sunday 1 December until Christmas Day, figures representing Mary and Joseph will travel round our community from home to home, stopping by arrangement, where there is a place for them and a warm welcome waiting.

Hospitality

Night after night, the figures are taken from one host home to another. Hospitality, the lighting of a candle and a simple act of worship are shared, and there is time to reflect on what Advent means. At each handover, two groups of people are linked—one in hosting, the other in visiting. The two groups might not know each other very well, or even at all, but it’s a wonderful way to get to know people in your community.

The Posada experience is for everyone—for people of all ages and for those who live alone as well as those with families.

If you would like to offer hospitality to Mary and Joseph for one night during Advent you can sign up on the list available soon in church.

For more information, please contact Heather on [email protected] or 07503 151715.

Christmas Shoe Boxes

Christmas Shoebox recipients

As in previous years, St Mary’s will be partnering with Operation Christmas Child by filling empty shoeboxes with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items. The shoeboxes will be delivered to children overseas and represent a tangible expression of God’s love to those in need.

This year’s appeal is being organised by Tim Clarke, who is based at Boxted Church, but you can leave your filled shoeboxes inside the church from now until 15 November. (The church is open weekdays between 10am and 3pm).

You can also donate individual items if you are not able to fill a whole shoebox, and there is a donation box in the church together with a leaflet with suggested items and some preprinted shoeboxes.

For more details please contact Tim on 07792 060597 or [email protected]

Church Flower Rota

A huge thank you to all the people who provide flowers in the church all year round, especially for Easter, harvest and Christmas. Your hard work is very much appreciated! New people are always welcome to join the team—you don’t have to be an expert—training can be given!

Our annual flower team gathering, with drinks and nibbles, will be held on Mon 4 November @ 8pm in St Mary’s Church Hall, when we will plan for Christmas and the rota for 2025. All are very welcome and if you would like a lift please contact Gemma on 07909 678976.

Day of Prayer for COP29

An open invitation to join the folk of Christ Church (Ireton Road, Colchester) as they pray for the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference taking place in Azerbaijan from 11-22 November. Throughout the day on Saturday 9th November, there will be hourly prayers, readings, silences and discussions to explore the climate crisis and our response to it.

Drop in anytime between 10am-3pm. Drinks available, all welcome.

Remembrance Sunday at St Mary’s – 10th November

Remembrance poppy

We look forward to welcoming the West Bergholt Concert Band and the  Scouts and Guides groups to our  Remembrance Sunday service @ 10.45am in church.   “We will remember them”

Open House at the Rectory

Also on Remembrance Day between 3 – 5pm, come and enjoy a cup of tea/coffee and a slice of homemade cake at the Rectory, and a chance for plenty of fellowship and chat. All are welcome!

Update on the Church Hall Project

Model of New Church Hall

The project to replace the existing church hall is progressing and we will shortly be submitting a planning application to Colchester City Council. If you would like to get an idea of the design of the building, there are some plans you can look at the back of the church behind the font.

We also have a wonderful scale model of the new hall, made by Richard Chadborn, which is displayed in the window of the parish office. For more information, please contact the parish office (see below for contact details).

Services

3 November9.30amBaptism Service with Communion
10 November10.45amRemembrance Service (NB No Messy Church in November, back on 8 December)
17 November9.30amCommunion Service
24 November9.30amCafé Church

Our Team at St Mary’s

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