Christmas Events Around Essex

As well as activities around the local parish local there are many other Christmas events around Essex, the following are a small selection:

Christmas at the Castle

As a seasonal treat, Colchester Castle will be opening its doors for FREE on Wednesday 9 December from 3pm. Come and soak up the Christmas atmosphere with Christmas carols, entertainment and an opportunity to meet Santa (£3.50 with gift). Capture the atmosphere with a professional festive photograph set in our specially decorated Christmas chapel.

All Aboard the Santa Special

12, 13, 19, 22, 20, 23 and 24 December. Epping Ongar Railway, departing from North Weald.

Mince pies, mulled wine, music and magician; juice and treats for the children as Santa makes his way through the carriages with his elves, handing out gifts to all good boys and girls.

Departures from North Weald are at 09:45, 11:25, 13:05, 14:45* & 16:25* (*excluding 24 December). Buses will depart from Epping Underground and locations in Ongar approximately 50 minutes earlier, so as to conveniently connect with these trains.

Our vintage buses will collect you from Epping or Ongar (if requested when booking) and will transport you to North Weald station, where our Santa Special trains will start. Here, adults will receive a complimentary mince pie and a glass of mulled wine, whilst children receive a juice drink and chocolate bar.

Once aboard the train, let the steam engine take the pressure; Santa will make his way through the carriages, accompanied by his elves, and hand out a gift to all the good boys and girls. There will be live music to add to the atmosphere, and a magician to entertain the children whilst they await their journey. Maybe there will even be time for a photograph with Santa at one of the stations…

Tickets are now on sale; standard prices for adults & children have been frozen at £16 & £13 respectively, but we have a slight increase in price on our busier days for adults. Full website details are at http://eorailway.co.uk/events/santa-specials/.

If you are interested in one of our compartments, please click here. Our compartments offer you an exclusive space away from the other passengers, where Santa will visit and present gifts by name! Limited compartments sizes are available for 6 or 8 people, and are priced at £130 & £150 respectively.

Late Night Shopping & More in Colchester

Late night shopping in Colchester is back every Wednesday in December. You can snap up all those special gifts and must-have essentials with Colchester’s fantastic mix of big name stores and independent retailers. Plus, you can park for FREE after 3pm (at selected car parks).

Other great winter attractions in Colchester include the Winter Wonderland and Ice Rink, new this year, located in Castle Park. You are advised to pre-book via the event’s website.

Jingle All The Way at Barleylands

Every day in December to 24th December – spend a day exploring the Farm Park and joining in Christmas activities including the brand new Giant Christmas Snow Globe that you can go inside to have a picture taken.

Father Christmas will be making a one hour appearance twice a day, meeting and greeting in the Festive Barn. There’s also Christmas Crafts, Snowy Owl flying displays and free hot chocolate! Open until 1pm on Christmas Eve.

To find out more or to book your visit go to their website at http://www.barleylands.co.uk/calendar.html.

November 26, 2015November 26, 2015

News Update 23rd November

St Mary’s News Update 23rd November

Ministry & Mission Units (MMUs)

Within the coming year we will be working with a larger group of parishes than we are currently. These will be known as MMUs. We have the opportunity to apply for funding for someone to help with our mission – for example this might be a youth or families worker. We would really like to hear your thoughts on what would be most appropriate for our need. Please write your suggestions on the list in church by 13 December.

TRANSFORMING PRESENCE: Mission & Ministry Units A simple guide.

Upcoming Events

Routine events

Tues 24 Nov – 8pm Michael’s Home Group at Dorothy & Richard’s House
Thurs 26 Nov – 9am Coffee morning
Sun 29 Nov – 9.30am Communion, St Mary’s, Langham
Sun 29 Nov – 11.15am Joint service at All Saints Church, Great Horkesley (no service @ St Mary’s)
Thurs 3 Dec – 9am Coffee morning; 10am Rachel’s home group; 2.30pm 5Ts
Sun 6 Dec – 9.30am Holy Communion
Sun 6 Dec – 9.30am Communion, St Peter’s, Boxted
Sun 6 Dec – 11.15am Morning Praise, St John’s, Great Horkesley

Sunday Bible Readings

Sun 29 Nov – Mark 13:24-37 – Signs of the end of the age
Sun 6 Dec – Luke 3:1-6 – John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus

Christmas Coffee Morning

Taking place on Sat 28 Nov, West Bergholt Methodist Church – 10am-12 midday. Stalls, coffee and mince pies.

Joint Service and Christmas Tree Festival

Great Horkesley will be holding their Christmas Tree Festival over the weekend of 28 & 29 November at All Saints Church. The church will be open to visit the displays on Sat 11am – 4pm and Sun 1pm – 4pm. All Saints will also be hosting our 5th Sunday united service at 11.15am on Sun 29th November.

Christmas Choir

Next Christmas Choir Rehearsals – 29th November @ 10am & 6 Dec @ 10.45am

Christmas Tree Festival, St Mary’s West Bergholt

The pupils from Heathlands School will be decorating Christmas trees with gifts for the night shelter and the trees will be on display in the church between 3pm-4pm on Friday 11 December, and again on Saturday 12 December (times to be confirmed).

Dates for your diary

Fri 11 Dec – 7.45pm Wired Christmas Party
Sun 13 Dec – 9.30am Messy Church
Sun 20 Dec – 2.30pm Carol Service at the Old Church
Christmas Eve – 3pm Crib Service; 6.45pm Carol Service; 11.30pm Midnight Communion at All Saints, Great Horkesley
Christmas Day – 9.30am Family Christmas Service
Senior Citizens Lunch – Sat 16 January

November 17, 2015November 17, 2015

News Update 17th November

Methodist News update 17th November

Three Christmassy news items to report today:

Christmas Coffee Morning

We are holding our special “Christmas Coffee Morning” on Saturday November 28th from 10.00 to 12.00 in the Church Hall, Chapel Lane. Entrance is free and all are welcome. Coffee, tea, biscuits and mince pies will be available. There will be a variety of stalls including Home made cakes and preserves, books, jigsaws, cards and Christmas wrap, bric a brac, mystery parcels and novelty gifts.

Will you meet Mary and Joseph on their journey this year?

Posada - Mary & Joseph touring West Bergholt & Great Horkesley The churches in West Bergholt and Great Horkesley, as part of their Christmas preparations, are supporting Mary and Joseph on their journey around the villages.

They will be visiting the various West Bergholt Guide, Brownies, Cubs, Beavers and Rainbow packs in the lead up to the Gift and Parade service with the Uniformed organisations on Sunday 6th December at 11.00am. This will take place in the West Bergholt Methodist Church, Chapel Road and all are welcome to come to this celebration service.

Mary and Joseph will also be visiting other groups/organisations that are happy to offer them hospitality. Their itinerary is still being finalised but it is already known that among others they will be visiting:-

Bluebell pre-school
Christmas tree festival at Great Horkesley
St Marys for young people’s activities

This custom of the figures of Mary and Joseph going on a journey in the local community stems from Mexico where it is known as ‘Posada’. As we welcome the figures of Mary and Joseph we are encouraged to remember those who are homeless and outcast today and to reflect on how we might offer hospitality to others this Christmas. These figures of Mary and Joseph are travelling around West Bergholt and Great Horkesley to remind us of that first Christmas journey to Bethlehem. When they arrived no room could be found for them, except in a stable, but hopefully this year they will receive a warm welcome in the groups that they visit and there will be places for them to stay. They are keeping a diary of their travels which will be available at West Bergholt Methodist Church from their Candlelight Carol service at 6.30pm on 20th December onwards. All are welcome to join us on December 20^that West Bergholt Methodist Church, Chapel Road.

If your group is interested in having a visit from Mary and Joseph and would like to welcome them please contact Andrew Wilks to arrange this (01206 242511; [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]).

Candlelit Carol Service

On Sunday December 20th there will be a Candlelight Carol service in the Methodist Church at 6.30pm. There will not be a service at 11.00am or 3.00pm.

November 16, 2015

News Update 15th November

St Mary’s News update 15th November

Christmas Shoe Boxes

Thank you to everyone who filled or contributed to a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child. Maree Foster and I delivered 34 boxes to the drop off point earlier this week!

Visit by Lydia & Jon Smith

It was wonderful to have Lydia leading our Communion service this morning. Many thanks to Kate, Hayley, Dorothy, Richard , Pat & Roy for putting on a delicious lunch (apologies if I have inadvertently left anyone out!).

Christmas Choir Rehearsals

The next rehearsals are on 22 November @ 10.45pm & 29 November @ 10am. All new singers welcome!

Christmas Tree Festival, All Saints, Great Horkesley Sat 28 & Sun 29 Nov

Great Horkesley will be holding their Christmas Tree Festival over the weekend of 28 & 29 November at All Saints church. The church will be open to visit the displays on Sat 11am – 4pm and Sun 1pm – 4pm. All Saints will also be hosting our 5th Sunday united service at 11.15am on Sun 29th November.

Christmas Tree Festival, St Mary’s West Bergholt – 11th 12th December

Upcoming Events

Thurs 19 Nov – 9am Coffee morning
Thurs 19 Nov – 10am Rachel’s Home Group
Thurs 19 Nov – 2.30pm 5Ts
Sun 22 Nov – 9.30am Morning Worship
Sun 22 Nov – 3.30pm Confirmation Service @ Chelmsford Cathedral
Tues 24 Nov – 8pm Michael’s Home Group at Dorothy & Richard’s House
Thurs 26 Nov – 9am Coffee morning
Sun 29 Nov – 11.15am Joint service at All Saints Church, Great Horkesley

Services in Great Horkesley & Langham with Boxted

Sun 22 Nov – 8am BCP Communion, All Saints, Great Horkesley; 9.30am Communion, St Peter’s, Boxted
Sun 29 Nov – 9.30am Communion, St Mary’s, Langham

Sunday Bible Readings

Sun 22 Nov – John 18:33-37 – Pilate asks Jesus if he is the King of the Jews
Sun 29 Nov – Mark 13:24-37 – Signs of the end of the age

Diary Dates

Fri 11 Dec – 7.45pm Wired Christmas Party
Sun 13 Dec – 9.30am Messy Church
Sun 20 Dec – 2.30pm Carol Service at the Old Church
Christmas Eve – 3pm Crib Service; 6.45pm Carol Service; 11.30pm Midnight Communion at All Saints, Great Horkesley
Christmas Day – 9.30am Family Christmas Service

January 9, 2015February 15, 2018

Happy time at Christmas

The West Bergholt Methodist Church report that their Christmas celebration events certainly went well and provided a happy time for all involved.

Posada

Mary and Joseph travelled extensively around the villages of West Bergholt and Great Horkesley visiting a wide variety of groups. They visited 10 meetings of the various uniformed organisations throughout November. They then joined all the youngsters from the uniformed organisations at the Gift and Parade service in the West Bergholt Methodist Church on December 7th. Following a lively and enjoyable service, with contributions from the young people which included the construction of a shelter, the gifts were distributed and gratefully received by Colchester Womens Refuge, The Night Shelter and Beacon House. Mary and Joseph continued their travels in December visiting some carol singers

20 groups before returning to the Methodist Church for the Candlelight Carol service on December 21.

Carol Singing Friday 19 December

A hardy band of carol singers were outside the Coop store from 18.15 to 19.30. They entertained shoppers, some of whom joined in with the singers, and Coop staff with a range of popular carols. Thanks to the generosity of the shoppers, and the singers, the sum of £37 was raised for Action for Children. The hot drinks and mince pies enjoyed after the singing were most welcome.

Candlelight Carols Sunday 21 December

The service by candlelight, led by Rev Ruth Ridge, provided a very special Christmas celebration atmosphere with a mix of traditional carols and readings. Many of the congregation were also able to enjoy a chat with coffee and mince pies in the hall after the service.

Coffee and Craft Monday 22 December

This again proved to be a popular morning for families. Thirty-eight children, together with accompanying adults, enjoyed a range of Christmas crafts. There was also time to enjoy a chat and the drinks and cakes proved popular also. We will be looking to provide further Coffee and Craft mornings in the Easter school holidays – look out for our publicity nearer the time.

Thanks to all who supported and worked to make possible the above events and best wishes for the New Year.

December 16, 2014

Christmas Coffee & Craft

Following the popular summer and half term Coffee and Craft mornings, West Bergholt Methodist Church are offering a special Christmas Coffee and Craft morning for young families on Monday December 22 from 10.30 to 12.00. This will take place in the Methodist Church Hall, Chapel Lane and ALL ARE WELCOME but, sorry, we are unable to accept unaccompanied children.

With lots of fun activities for the youngsters the charge is just £2.50 per family. To find out more please contact Rev. Ruth Ridge on 01206 242183

December 4, 2014December 4, 2014

Carols, Coffee and Wine at St Mary’s Old Church

Carols, Coffee & Wine at St Mary’s Old Church

The Friends of St Mary’s Old Church are hosting their popular annual Carol Service this year on Sunday 21st December starting at 2:30pm. Ideal timing to get the whole family in the spirit for Christmas.

For those keen to look around the Old Church, or to take out or renew membership of the Friends, Rhys Lloyd, treasurer of the Friends of St. Mary’s Old Church will be at the old church on Thursday 4th, 11th and 18th December from 10 – 11 am. He will be serving coffee and wine and would be pleased to welcome you.

November 27, 2014December 4, 2014

Christmas is Coming

Christmas Events 2014

Will you meet Mary and Joseph on their journey this year?

The churches in West Bergholt and Great Horkesley, as part of their Christmas preparations, are supporting Mary and Joseph on their journey around the villages.

They will be visiting the various West Bergholt Guide, Brownies, Cubs, Beavers and Rainbow packs in the lead up to the Gift and Parade service with the Uniformed organisations on Sunday 7th December at 11.00am. This will take place in the West Bergholt Methodist Church, Chapel Road and all are welcome to come to this celebration service.

Bluebell pre-school,
Christmas tree festival at Great Horkesley,
St. Marys for young people’s activities.

This custom of the figures of Mary and Joseph going on a journey in the local community stems from Mexico where it is known as ‘Posada’. As we welcome the figures of Mary and Joseph we are encouraged to remember those who are homeless and outcast today and to reflect on how we might offer hospitality to others this Christmas. These figures of Mary and Joseph are travelling around West Bergholt and Great Horkesley to remind us of that first Christmas journey to Bethlehem. When they arrived no room could be found for them, except in a stable, but hopefully this year they will receive a warm welcome in the groups that they visit and there will be places for them to stay. They are keeping a diary of their travels which will be available at West Bergholt Methodist Church from their Candlelight Carol service at 6.30pm on 21st December onwards. All are welcome to join us on December 21st.

If your group is interested in having a visit from Mary and Joseph and would like to welcome them please contact Andrew Wilks to arrange this (01206 242511; [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]).

West Bergholt Methodist Church, St Mary’s Church West Bergholt and All Saints and St John’s Churches Great Horkesley.

Other Christmas Events not to miss are:

Christmas Coffee Morning 29th November

West Bergholt Methodist Church are holding a special “Christmas Coffee Morning”on Saturday November 29th from 10.00 to 12.00 in the Church Hall, Chapel Lane. Entrance is free and all are welcome. Coffee, tea, biscuits and mince pies will be available. There will be a variety of stalls including Home made cakes and preserves, books, jigsaws, cards and Christmas wrap, bric-a-brac, mystery parcels and novelty gifts.

Wired Christmas Party 5th December

Being held at St Mary’s Church starting at 7:45pm for Youth Group members.

Gift & Parade Service 7th December

The Gift and Parade service at the Methodist Church on Sunday December 7 at 11.00am led by Rev. Ruth Ridge is one of the Posada events. Gifts of toiletries will be distributed after the service to the Colchester Womens Refuge, the Night Shelter and Beacon House. All are welcome to join in, with the youngsters from the uniformed organisations and their families, for this special young peoples service.

Carol Singing at the Coop 19th December

A group from the Methodist and Anglican churches will be Carol Singing outside the Co-op in Chapel Road from 6.15 to 7.30 on Friday evening December 19th. More voices are always welcome so come and join us if you can for all, or just part, of the time – you will be very welcome.There will be coffee and mince pies available afterwards.

Candlelight Carol Service 21st December

On Sunday December 21 there will be a Candlelight Carol service in the Methodist Church at 6.30pm led by Rev. Ruth Ridge, followed by coffee and mince pies in the hall. All are welcome.

Carol Service at The Old Church 21st December

Starting at 2:30pm.

Crib Service 24th December

Being held at St Mary’s Church, starting at 3pm

Christmas Eve Carol Service 24th December

St Mary’s Church starting at 6:30pm.

Christmas Day Service 25th December

St Mary’s Church starting at 9:30am.

September 17, 2014September 16, 2014

Coffee & Craft Update

With the end of the school holidays the Methodist Church has come to the end of their Coffee and Craft mornings for now. The three mornings held during the school holidays were very popular and proved to be a busy and happy time for all involved. Families enjoyed a wide variety of craft activities across the three mornings. The selection of cakes also proved popular! Thanks are due to all who supported these mornings.

The Church promises to be back for a one morning only Christmas Coffee and Craft – so do not miss it! This will be on Monday December 22 from 10.30 to 12.00 in the Methodist Church Hall, Chapel Lane. Please look out for posters and further information nearer the time.

December 31, 2013December 31, 2013

Christmas fun & fundraising

The Methodist Church had a busy run-up to Christmas

Carol Singing Friday 20 December

A hardy band of carol singers were outside the Coop store from 18.00 to 19.30. They entertained shoppers and Coop staff with a range of popular carols. Thanks to the generosity of the shoppers, and the singers, the sum of £52 was raised for Action for Children. The hot drinks and mince pies enjoyed after the singing were most welcome.

Candlelight Carols Sunday 22 December

The service by candlelight provided a very special Christmas celebration atmosphere with a mix of traditional carols and readings. Many of the congregation were also able to enjoy a chat with coffee and mince pies in the hall after the service.

Coffee and Craft Monday 23 December

Building on the events held in the summer this proved to be a popular morning for families. Twenty-four children, together with accompanying adults, enjoyed a range of Christmas crafts including make your own Nativity Scenes, Snow scene domes and flying reindeer complete with sleighs! There was also time to enjoy a chat and the drinks and cakes proved popular also. Encouraged by the response we will be looking to provide further Coffee and Craft mornings in the Easter school holidays – look out for our publicity nearer the time.

Thanks to all who supported and worked to make possible the above events, and best wishes for the New Year.