Weekly Email w/b 20th December 2021

There’s certainly been no shortage of carols this year thus far. School nativities, Trinity Table, Residential homes, carols by carlight, carols on the Green, Radbrook carols… and a few other places. Most recently we met in the primary school playground for our two outdoor carol services on Sunday evening. What an amazing team effort, and huge thanks to everyone who did some nifty last minute organising as we headed outdoors. “O come all ye faithful?” Absolutely.

That well-known carol continues with the words “joyful and triumphant”. If I’m honest, that’s not how quite a few of us are feeling at the moment as Christmas plans change, COVID concerns increase, and another year draws to an end with a slight sense of unknowing.

So whether you’re feeling faithful, or joyful, or triumphant – or far from that – may you know what it is to come near to God these next days. To the unfaithful, to the broken, to the hurting, you can come too. All are welcome, for this baby in a manger – this prince of peace – came for you too.

Read on for details of our services on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, both online and in person. Note, in particular, a chance of plans with the Christmas Crib on Friday afternoon with the “Crib Experience” giving more time and space for people to come through the late afternoon. And, sadly, we’ve needed to cancel the Soul Purpose Christmas Lunch, and the Cafe Connect open morning on Christmas Eve.

With thanks and prayers, as always, at this Christmas time.

Phil, and all of us as a team at Trinity Churches

PS If you missed our carol service you can catch up with that on our website. CLICK HERE for more.

Excited children? Final preparations all finished? Come and experience the wonder of Christmas at our Christmas Crib Experience. We’ll be featuring the amazing shepherds in our time together, so if anyone wants to come with T-towels on head and dressing gowns on that would be amazing!

Our doors will be open between 3.15pm to 5.15pm, so please arrive for the ‘walkabout’ between those times. There will be crafts, story, songs and a quiet moment to ‘wonder’ around the crib as we enter into the Christmas story. We’ll be beginning by singing some carols outdoors as you arrive, and then you’ll walk round each part of the experience through the Trinity Centre and the Church. We reckon it will take about half an hour, so we’re hoping people will be arriving at ‘staggered’ times through the afternoon and not all at the previously publicised ‘start’ times of 3.30pm and 5pm.

Please take all appropriate COVID precautions, and we’re asking adults and all who are able to wear a face covering whilst indoors. For this event, and all other services over Christmas, if you have any of the COVID symptoms or are feeling concerned about being in larger gatherings please stay at home and join in via the livestream services at 9am and 11am on Christmas Day.

 

On Christmas Eve we’ll be meeting at Holy Trinity as usual for our midnight communion, which begins at 11.30pm. This is always a beautiful way to start Christmas Day together, and we’d love to welcome you at this very special service. Alongside a candle-lit service you might want to bring a torch or light as you navigate your way to and from the parking area!

Then Christmas Day sees celebrations at 9am for a service of holy communion, and 11am for an all-ages celebration. Both services will be livestreamed as well, so for those not able to come – or who are feeling more cautious about being in larger gatherings – you will be able to join in whilst peeling the sprouts through the morning. As above, we are asking everyone who attends to follow appropriate COVID guidelines in keeping themselves and others safe.

There won’t be any services taking place at Meole Brace Church on Boxing Day. Instead we will be having an online-only gathering starting at 11am. We’ll be sharing the livestream of our Christmas Eve midnight service of carols, with Fi Iddon as our speaker. You can “find us” via our website at www.trinitychurches.org/live, or on Facebook at “Trinity Churches Shrewsbury.”

For those who would like to attend church then (subject to confirmation) Shrewsbury Abbey, ChristChurch Bayston Hill, All Saints Castlefields, Shrewsbury URC, Shrewsbury Catholic Cathedral, and the Greek Orthodox have celebrations you might like to join in with.

Plans are in place for our usual “End the year” service taking place on New Year’s Eve at 6pm. Those who attend this service each year appreciate a more reflective opportunity to look back over the last year, and to look ahead into a new year with faith, hope and love. We begin at 6pm, and this communion service normally lasts just under one hour.

Please check back on our website for any relevant updates for this service during the days between Christmas and New Year….

There are few emotions more powerful than hope. But these days, hope often feels hard to come by. Where can we find a hope that won’t disappoint us?

Hope Explored explores how the Christian faith offers real hope, lasting peace and true purpose. Over three evenings together, starting Wednesday 12th January, we’ll be watching some short film clips, discussing some of the big things in life, and having some time to be quiet and think about our own way ahead.

We are very much hoping to be able to meet in person, but if needs be we’ll also offer this course online. Please say when booking in whether you have suitable access to ZOOM etc.

CLICK HERE for more details and to let us know you’re interested.

 

Last but not least as a staff team we do want to wish you all God’s blessings this Christmas time, and that of your families and friends around you. These continue to be somewhat uncertain times, and our calling to be a people of faith, hope and love have never been more needed.

The Church Office will be closing on the afternoon of Thursday 23rd December, and will reopen on Tuesday 4th January. During that period there will be pastoral support offered each day by members of the ministry team, so if you have particular concerns could you either leave a message on the answerphone on 01743 362399, or email info@trinitychurches.org. Both the email and answerphone will be checked daily.