Getting ready for Christmas can feel a frenetic time of shopping, planning and cooking. And yet over the centuries Advent has also been a time to stop, to wait on God, and to go deeper in faith. This year – in our daily prayer as we meet together as well as individual use – we’re using some prayer guides from a number of different church leaders across the country. We hope it proves a useful resource. Why not let us know how you got on? https://www.premierchristianity.com/Past-Issues/2013/December-2013/Advent-Prayer-Calendar...

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This Advent we’re encouraging people to get involved with the Bible Society’s #AdventChallenge The Bible Society’s online Advent calendar challenges you to do a small, practical act of kindness every day, to share goodwill and make a difference in this season of Advent. Last year, over 13,000 people took part, with over 105,000 challenges accepted. Whether it was the 4,000 people who actively encouraged someone, or the 3,000 contributions to local foodbanks, a massive difference was made. So this year, you could be buying someone flowers, babysitting … or even just giving a smile? You’ll receive an email each day which gives you three daily challenges throughout Advent, and you choose the one that best suits you. The challenges are simple, practical, Bible-based and life-affirming. So you can show your community what......

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Saturday saw just under one hundred men from Shropshire churches get together with author Nick Page for the “Dark night of the shed” day conference. The day started  with bacon butties, before some welcomes, worship and introductions from the front. Bishop Mark Rylands joined Nick Page in reminiscing on their garden sheds, with the questions “what is in your shed that you wouldn’t want anyone to know about” and “what one thing would you do to improve your shed.” Sky TV to watch the cricket, and a micro brewery, featured in the answers…. Nick spoke in both morning sessions, firstly talking about the stories which shape our lives, and the false gods which promise much but deliver little. The second session looked at what new story might define our lives.......

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