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St Marys News – The Winter Wonderland Edition

In this edition St Mary’s looks at Christmas & a Winter Wonderland

After hearing Revd. Heathers Winter Wonderland message this edition includes:

Christmas Message from Revd Heather

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

An AI generated image of a winter wonderland following Revd Heather's description

I have just enjoyed a wonderful weeks break away with my family, including our 10 month old grandson Elyan. Without giving too much away, and inadvertently advertising, our week was spent in Elveden Forest, in a place, I feel sure might be familiar to many people, ideally suited to family holidays.

Arriving on Friday night, it was clear that preparations were already afoot for getting the site ready for Christmas. By Monday evening, the lights were switched on, and for the next 4 days, we found ourselves in a Winter Wonderland, with enchanted forests, twinkling lights, Elves springing up all over the place and frequent light dustings of snow. Knowing that I had to come home and go straight into Remembrance Sunday services, I really wasn’t feeling quite ready for all this festive fun. But it is hard to resist getting drawn in when you have a young child with you!

Was it Christmas?

Any references to Christmas were cleverly avoided, it was most definitely a ‘Winter Wonderland’. Father Christmas was Santa, with any reference to Christmas removed, and amidst the sparkling lights, the snow machines and Elves, there was no room for even just one nativity scene, pointing people to the real reason for the season. And of course, wishing to be open to all, there are probably many reasons for this.

Jesus in crib in stable with message of Silent Night, Holy Night

And yet as we stood and listened to Rudolph and his reindeer friends singing their ‘Winter Wonderland’ songs, amidst the ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘Chestnuts roasting on an open fire’, they sang a wonderful rendition of ‘Silent Night, Holy Night’. Or again, having popped along to hear the choir singing on a Tuesday night, they couldn’t seem to resist throwing in ‘O little town of Bethlehem’ and encouraging everyone to sing along.

Christmas Carols

Christmas carols are so deeply woven into the fabric of the season, that it’s almost as if no-one noticed that, every so often, the whole story of Christmas was told, in the familiar, beautiful words of a carol.

I might sometimes want to rant at the desire of an increasingly secular world wanting to turn Christian festivals, into Wintervals. But still, we hear the voice of the angels sing, as the message of Christmas wafts through the air in the words of familiar carols. For those who have ears to hear, in the Carols and in the giving and receiving of gifts, we remember that at Christmas time we are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, the ultimate gift for everyone.

Happy Christmas and may God Bless you and your family. Heather.

Village Advent Window Trail

The Advent Window Trail starts on 3 December and features 20 windows throughout the village. A new window will be revealed each day and lit between 4-7pm. Each window will feature a letter forming part of a hidden message. Solve the message, and collect a prize at the Christmas Eve Crib Service! A paper copy of the trail is available in the church and from Scissorhands or download the map or trail calendar below:

The village map showing the location of the Advent Trail Windows.

FiSH & Storytime

Food in Summer Holidays

All families are welcome to come along to two events over the Christmas holidays:

  • Friday 22 December 2-4pm—Christmas tea party and games
  • Friday 29 December—11.30am-2pm-crafts, games and a hot meal with dessert.

If you are able to book via the church office that would be great so as to help with numbers for catering (please see contact details below).

  •  Next Storytime Session—Sat 16 Dec @ 6pm in the church hall

Prayer Space & Memory Tree

From 3rd – 23rd December there will be a special Prayer space in the church, which will take us on a journey through Advent. All are welcome to come and use the space for prayer and reflection, when the church is open, throughout Advent.

From 18th December until the 6th January, there will be a special Memory tree in St. Mary’s Church. Please come along and place a bauble, which will be provided, on the tree in memory of a loved one this Christmas time (the church is open weekdays, 10am – 4pm).

Services & Other Dates

3 December9:30 amBaptism
7 December9:00 pmAdvent Compline on Zoom
10 December9:30 amMessy Church
14 December9:00 pmAdvent Compline on Zoom
17 December9:30 amHoly Communion
2:30 pmCarols by candlelight at St Mary’s Old Church
21 December9:00 pmAdvent Compline on Zoom
24 December3:00 pmCrib Service – Family nativity service at St Mary’s Church
6:45 pmChristmas Eve Carols by Candlelight at St Mary’s Church
25 December9:30 amChristmas Celebration Service
31 December10:30 amJoint 6 Parishes Service at St Mary’s 

Our Team at St Mary’s

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