Christmas letter from us all at Trinity

Of course, Christmas in churches will look somewhat different this year. Alongside our Sunday 9am and 11am Sunday gatherings at Holy Trinity Meole Brace, and regular Pyjama Church gatherings at 9.30am, we would love you to get involved in a few other special events at this time of year.

To help with our planning we are asking people to let us know they are coming. It’s easiest to do that via our website at www.trinitychurches.org. Alternatively please phone the Church Office on 01743 362399. Don’t forget that our very own Trinity Churches dial-a-service will be up and running each week through Christmas, playing out one of our regular gatherings. You can access that by dialling 01743 298249.

It is hard to know what the new year will look like in the life of our nation, as well as across Trinity Churches.  We trust that we’ll continue to be able to gather in person on Sundays as well as develop our online presence. Youth and childrens work will also continue midweek and Sundays, as will many of the supportive relationships of small groups and friendships across the parish. The Café continues to hold its own in difficult trading conditions, the Trinity Centre will reopen albeit at a reduced rate, and our support for our neighbouring parish of Belle Vue carries on. However we continue to struggle with when and how Christ the King might meet on a Sunday, and how some of the community groups which make up Meole Estate ministries will start up once more. Many are talking about Easter at the earliest for greater freedoms to meet together. Do please be praying for wisdom as to how to navigate this.

What we do know is that on Sundays we’ll be walking through “The Bible Series” from the Bible Society, which touches on some of the big themes in the Bible like meaning, freedom and love. Then on Tuesday evenings from 5^th January we’re going to be doing “The Wellbeing Journey”, a new course which explores being well in body, mind and spirit instead of running on empty all the time. More details – and sign up – on our website.

Meanwhile we would also like to say “thank you” to each and every one of you who have continued to support the church with your giving. Our gratitude goes to those whose generosity has continued despite the huge uncertainties of the economy on a national and personal level, and particularly to those who have transferred their giving from Sunday envelopes to regular standing orders.

In simple terms regular giving to the church has gone down by at least 5% this year. We also saw a big drop in income from the Trinity Centre, though partly offset by reduced costs and support from the government’s furlough scheme.  Overall, we’re predicting a budget deficit of more than £30,000 in 2020. It’s not yet a crisis, and we are blessed with strong reserves. But it is a concern. Of course for some these difficult days will necessitate a reduction in your giving. But, for those who are able, Christmas and New Year may be the time to think about giving a bit more, either by reviewing your regular planned giving or by making a one-off gift. As we all know at this time of year, giving generously is much more than a duty; it’s a privilege and a joy. You can find all the information you need on the “giving” section of the church website, or by contacting Rob Surl (Stewardship Team) via the Church Office.