Sundays 22nd and 29th December 2024

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the Priory; if you are visiting, then please feel especially welcome. There is coffee and fellowship in the North Aisle after the 10.30am service; do come for a chat, we would love to meet you. 

Chris Boulton is leading our Altogether Worship service on this the fourth and last Sunday of Advent. The final candle will be lit on our Advent Wreath.  Chris writes: “Traditions concerning the meaning of the four Advent Candles vary from church to church as well as denomination.  Some focus for example on themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love (in varying orders).  Our own focus has been on biblical characters who have responded to God’s call to be willing agents in God’s plan of redemption that is Jesus Christ crucified and risen.  We started with the Patriarchs, the Prophets, then John the Baptist and today we light the fourth candle and remember Mary, who though afraid, responded ‘Yes’ to God’s call to be the mother of his Son.  We remember this particularly visual piece of God’s plan in our Scratch Nativity this morning.  This ‘no rehearsal’ nativity is an opportunity for our children to be the biblical character of their choice and the aim is to provide a lot of fun for all whilst bringing out the story of the first nativity!”

Thank you to all our staff – Piers, Bradley, Catherine, Dylan, Rob and Mark - who have worked so hard this year, especially during the pressures of this Advent season.  The church will close after Carols Around the Crib on 29th December and will reopen for services on Sunday 5th January, to give the custos team, who have worked exceptionally hard, a break to recover. 

Finally, thank you to all our Priory family for the love, understanding and support you have shown us throughout the year, and particularly during the Vacancy. We wish you all a wonderful, enjoyable Christmas.

In His Love,

Neil and David, churchwardens.