Parish Notice Sheet items - visit Parish Website via purple button above

Sunday 5 December, the first Sunday after Epiphany

On Sunday 5 January, the first Sunday after Epiphany, the Bell Ringers welcomed all to church and to a service of Family Worship. This is a new service and will be used when there is no ordained Priest available to take Family Communion. John Kimbell led the service. A good start to 2025.

Sunday 22 December, The Fourth Sunday in Advent

Sunday 22 December, the 4th Sunday in Advent, began with The Family Praise Christingle service. As usual the children read the Bible passages and prayers with two of them also playing the piano. The Christingle candles were lit for the singing of the final hymn accompanied by William. The service of Nine Lessons and carols took place at 3pm. The choir solo items were 'Let all mortal flesh keep silence, 'What Child is this', 'A Maiden most gentle' and 'Lully, Lulla, Lullay' – Stopford. Several of our extra singers joined us and William ended the service with an excellet performance of Bach's Fugue on the Magnificat

Sunday 15 December, The Third Sunday in Advent

Sunday 15 December began with a Family Praise service. The 3rd Advent candle was lit and the explanations of the candles became the story. The children read appropriate bible passages or prayers associated with the 3 candles lit so far. William accompanied the singing. The 1100 Communion service was led by Canon Dagnall. It was so good to see him again. The choir’s anthem was “The great Forerunner” The organist was William and he ended the service with an excellent performance of Epilogue on 'Winchester New' by Eric Thiman.

Sunday 8 December, The Second Sunday in Advent

Sunday 8 December, the Second Sunday in Advent, was a Family Matins service telling the story of the Nativity. The children told the story and also dressed the crib. Several members of the Music and Merriment Junior choir sang two of the songs they had performed at the concert the previous evening. A young pianist and young drummer completed the music making. William ended the service with 'Sleigh ride' by Leroy Anderson (arranged for organ by Thomas Trotter)

Music and Merriment 7 December 2024

Our ever-popular full-scale Christmas concert, 'Music and Merriment' took place at 7:30pm at St Mary’s church, and was a great success despite the horrendous weather. Afterwards we received lots of kind words verbally and by email, including:

very enjoyable and successful evening - a lovely community event involving local talent - the great enjoyment of everyone - such a lovely evening - some lovely performances from the youngsters Sarah and Freddie (pictured) - it really started the festive season off - the Music and Merriment concert is always wonderful. - The variety of the performances and the musicianship were impressive. - a lovely event with real live music in a lovely church - yet another fabulous evening - beautifully done - my daughter was positively buzzing when she got home! - a magical evening.

All this due to a big team working together, and they all deserve warmest thanks from me and my experienced committee - Lesley, Viktoria and Margaret-Anne. The team starts with the wonderful performers, including the two mega-talents youngsters; Richard our organist, and saxophonist Sarah P, the brass quintet under our faithful supporter Len Tyler, the junior choir who sang like angels, and the big senior choir organised by Eila, both choirs singing with skill and enthusiasm under William's direction, our readers and entertainers John E, Sue B, John and Caroline K; many thanks also to Tony and the stage management team, the kitchen and front of house people dispensing mulled wine (and other beverages), the Womens' Guild and their wonderful mince pies, parking helpers, and all the other people who combined to make this unique event work so well.

There is a full review in the January 2025 parish magazine, and this can also be accessed by the [Music and Merriment] button above.