Weekly email w/b 12th December 2022

We’ve been doing an “Advent A to Z” over the last few weeks at Six o’clock live. We started with “A for Angels”, and each day have been taking on the next letter in our journey to Christmas. Bethlehem, Carols, Decorations have all featured along the way, each day a different letter opening up something of the story of Christmas.

Today I think we arrive at “Q for Queues”, before finishing our A to Z with “ZZZZZZZZZ”. That, I think, may be the sound of the vicar asleep on a chair sometime early evening on Christmas Day when a frantic 24 hours are finished. There’s even a facebook page devoted to how early clergy fall asleep on the sofa on Christmas Day!

But our hope and our prayer this year is that the next ten days won’t be “ZZZZZZ”. “Sleep in heavenly peace?” Maybe. But there’s something about this time of Advent – and approaching Christmas – which is about waking up, being ready and remaining alert. Mary spoken to by an angel. Joseph’s outlook changed. The shepherds interrupted during a night shift. The wise men making travel plans. This great invitation of following the star was one to wake up, get ready and be open to God doing a new thing. I wonder what this might look like for you this year?

Grace and peace

Phil Cansdale, Vicar

Read our November / December Trinity Life online

This weekend sees our two CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT services, taking place on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th December at 7pm. You’re in for our usual treat of well-known carols, Christmas readings, live music from our all-ages orchestra and choir, and a chance to step into the Christmas story. There will be mince pies and mulled wine served in the Trinity Centre afterwards. Thank you so much to everyone involved in preparing for this, we’re really excited. Do please be inviting friends and family along with you as we extend the invitation to God’s grace to many people locally.

Alongside our carols by candle-light celebrations, there are also a feast of other Christmas gatherings on Sunday.

1030am in Radbrook Green is our CTK carol service at the Community Centre. The invitation is extended to all for a celebration of readings and Christmas music, and suitable festive offerings afterwards. Our speaker is Peter Madley.

At Holy Trinity we will be gathering at 9am and 11am in the usual manner, with Charles Ruxton speaking as part of our series celebrating Advent together.

Carols on the Green takes place on Tuesday 20th December. We start from 5.30pm with some live animals on hand, helping us tell something of the Christmas story. From 6pm we’ll strike up some carols and enjoy some singing together and live music, then about 6.30pm we’ll have some turkey baps and a chance to enjoy some Christmas cheer.

We’re so excited that REVS car event is back for 2022. We’ll be meeting on Wednesday evening at 6pm on the hardstanding just down from Holy Trinity Church in Meole Brace. We’ll have some live music, carol singing, suitably driver-friendly refreshments, and a chance to experience the Christmas story from a car-loving perspective.

There’s something for people of all ages and all stages of faith as Christmas itself approaches:

CHRISTMAS EVE
Cafe Connect is open 10am to 12pm for free drinks and festive cheer.
Crib Services take place 3.30pm and again at 5pm at Meole Brace Church.
Christingle celebration at 5pm taking place at Holy Trinity Belle Vue Church.
Midnight Communion takes place at Meole Brace Church from 11.30pm

CHRISTMASDAY
Christmas morning celebrations at 9am and 11am (Meole Brace), 10.30am (Radbrook) and 10.30am (Belle Vue)
Soul Purpose Christmas Lunch in the Trinity Centre from 12pm.

Please look at our Christmas website for more details. You’ll also find there details of our New Year’s Eve service at 6pm, New Year’s Day joint service at 1030am, and New Year walk on 2nd January at 10.30am.

Visit our Christmas website

Our “Cost of Living” fund is very much up and running. This week we’ve been able to help TWENTY families locally thanks to your generosity, working particularly with local schools to offer support to households who might be struggling over Christmas. Thank you so much for your part in that, and helping us as a church to be generous and compassionate at Christmas time.

 

We are thrilled that Jonathan Veira is going to be with us on Saturday 28th January at 7.30pm. He is an amazingly talented and versatile international singer and musician. His last visit here was January in 2020, and we are so excited that he’s coming back to Meole Brace for his latest tour.

JV has established a reputation over the last 35 years – entertaining and singing to millions across the UK and the rest of the world. His ability as a musical chameleon, singing songs of great diversity to an incredibly high standard, continues to wow audiences. He engages everyone and his captivating storytelling has people rocking with laughter at the strangest of things. Jonathan’s easy, natural conversational style of sharing his faith journey combined with superb music and riotous anecdotes is enthralling, engaging and inspiring.

Tickets are £10 from the Church Office or website. All profits from the concert will go towards our “Cost of Living” fund supporting individuals, households and dedicated projects at church and across the local community.

An evening with Jonathan Veira – 28th Jan 2023