Church News

Christingle Service
It was lovely to see so many children participating in the Christingle Service on 20th December 2009 and we were very pleased to welcome all the parents, siblings, grandparents and friends to support them. I think everyone will agree that the children put on a tremendous show and on behalf of Christ Church I would like to say a very big thank you to them for providing such a magical evening. Our thanks go to to Philip Fox for the splendid contribution of the Greyfriars Junior Choir.

The theme of the three wise men was introduced by Dan and his inspiration to incorporate the three continents of Asia, Africa and Europe gave a clearer understanding of the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus.

2009 also introduced our hidden asset in the form of the ladies’ choir who delighted everyone with their contribution. We were also blessed with “heavenly” music provided by our lady harpists.

Over the past 25 years I have seen many Christingle services and been privileged to participate in every one. Each has had its own particular memories but this year the children made it quite a special occasion in the run up to the miracle of Christmas. I would like to thank them all for their willingness to take part.

Our thanks go to Alison, Rachel and Dan for all the hard work in developing the Christingle Service and also to all the mums who helped with the costumes and supervision of all the children at rehearsals. Thanks to Alan for taking the video and lovely photographs.

Everyone was surprised to see the winter wonderland which met us when we left the church to go over to the hall and this certainly curtailed our time to indulge in the magnificent spread of mince pies and mulled wine which Edith, Sylvia, Joan and friends had provided. Our thanks to them for their handiwork and apologies for having to leave fairly quickly to plough home through inches of snow.
A big thank you to everyone involved in our Christingle Service.

Lenore

Children in Distress

£350 was collected from fourth Sunday donations and the plate at the Christingle Service. This has been sent to Children in Distress.

Alisdair Barron MBE, the Chief Executive of Children in Distress, has written saying:
“ On behalf of the children in our care, in our children’s centres, community projects and hospices we thank you for your generous donation of £350 which will immediately be put to good use caring for terminally or incurably ill infants and children regarded by others as beyond help. After 18 years of dedicated care, our work is still vitally important and even more so in times like these when funds are short and we all worry about the future. Sadly, few take time to consider the infants and children in our care. You are unique and that is why we are so glad to have you as part of our family of care."