Dear friends
A little update about some of the things going on over the next few weeks. Its not intended to be an exhaustive list of things to do but a collection of different ‘spaces’ that we are providing so that God can move in our conversations, songs, readings, actions and services. God moves everywhere of course, but it’s good to be intentional about why we do what we do. If there is anything you’d like to know more about or get involved in, then do get in touch, Jesus had a team and we need one too! You can come on your own or bring others. We are blessed to have such a great building and I am thankful for all those who work to look after it, especially as the weather gets cold but we recognise that the church is the people, you and me, so do pray for each other, for the community, that over the next few weeks we will see His hope and love in tangible and new ways.
Saturday 3rd December – 1.30pm Meet in church to put up Christmas decorations!
Sunday 4th December – 11-12 Café Church (Advent part 2 of sky full of Stars)
Monday 5th December – 10-12 Warm space at Beacon with free refreshments
Tuesday 6th December – 10-11.30am Stepping Stones for under 5’s and their parents and carers
Thursday 8th December – 2pm make some crafts, refreshments and chat
Saturday 10th December – 2-4pm Carnival Christmas with free Christmas refreshments, crafts, steel pan band ‘Steel crazy’, carols, cakes and more
Sunday 11th December – 11-12 Advent Service (Part 3 of Sky full of stars) with creative activities and communion
Monday 12th December – 10-12 Warm space at Beacon with free refreshments
Tuesday 13th December – 10-11.30am Stepping Stones Christmas Party for under 5’s and their parents and carers
Thursday 15th December – 2pm make some crafts, refreshments and chat
Saturday 17th December – 1-3pm Christmas Wreath workshop, no experience needed £8 per wreath, book a place with Lesley (administrator) or Shelley
Sunday 18th December – 11-12 All age Nativity! – feel free to dress ‘with a nod to’ your favourite Nativity character (part 4 Sky full of stars)
Monday 19th December – 10-12 Christmas Holiday Warm space at Beacon with free refreshments and Christmas crafts – all ages welcome
Saturday 24th December – 4.30-5.15 Christmas Eve Christingle and Carols
Sunday 25th December – 10-30-11.30 Christmas Day all age service (part 5 Sky full of stars)
Wednesday 28th December – 10-12 Christmas Holiday Warm space at Beacon with free refreshments * Note this is a new addition to ‘whats on’
Sunday 1st January – 11-12 New Year’s Day café church (Part 6 Sky full of Stars)… bring a takeout cup, have a coffee and breakfast
Lunch club will run every Wednesday until 14th December when they will be having their Christmas Special. There will be some house groups and bible studies meeting so do ask me or someone on the leadership team or look at the church diary in the corridor outside Lesley’s office.
On Sunday we launch our MBC Christmas appeal and we have an update from Terefe’s latest mission trip.
The Christmas cards we had printed went missing (sad face) so we are quickly getting more done – grab them on Sunday.
Some Advent reflections…
- Check out the MBC facebook page for daily advent reflections until Christmas
- Sign up to an advent series focusing on ‘welcome’ written by Krish Kandiah Advent series sign-up (sibforms.com)
- For a creative journey check out Jane Williams book ‘The art of christmas’ with a picture per day through Advent The Art of Christmas | Eden.co.uk
- There’s Stephen Cotterill’s book Let it Slow | Eden.co.uk as an alternative Advent calendar
- Download the lectio 365 app through Advent, this week it’s focusing on the voices of advent Lectio 365 – 24-7 Prayer International
- For those wanting to spend time in Advent looking creatively at our environment have a look at Sleepers Wake: Getting Serious about Climate Change: The Archbishop of York’s Advent Book 2022 | Eden.co.uk
Finally, over all and under all, let’s continue to ‘be with ’not ‘do for’ as we accept, explore and recognise Immanuel, God with us, who ‘has moved into the neighbourhood’ (The Message, John 1:14)
In Christ
Shelley