Weekly Email w/b 6th December 2021

This week has been “nativity play” week for us as a team, with three plays performed by Meole Brace Primary and seven hosted for Coleham school at Belle Vue church. In one of them I think we had 31 innkeepers, which certainly led to an interesting sight when Mary and Joseph – and donkey – got to Bethlehem and started knocking doors!

In the book we’re using for Six o’clock live, Stephen Cottrell writes:

School nativity plays tell the basic story in a way that is often overly sentimental – stables become the loveliest place to give birth, and shepherds quite the most welcome guests – but they also relate the events with an uncluttered impact; ordinary men and women caught up in astonishing events and working out how to respond. (Let it Slow – An Advent Calendar with a Difference)

It’s not a bad invitation to any of our Christmas events or services, including this Sunday’s nativity. How might we see through the costumes, the words and the sea of smartphones to the children acting out the parts? As Archbishop Stephen says “God always favours the little ones. The ones on the edge are always the heroes in the Bible… God is among us, working through us.”

So may you – and may we together – experience the Christmas story as a child this year. Be amazed at this amazing story, and come in wonder afresh to worship the newborn king.

Grace and Peace

 

Revd Phil Cansdale
Vicar of Trinity Churches and Area Dean of Shrewsbury

This Sunday at 11am we’ve got an all-ages NATIVITY CELEBRATION. In particular we would love to invite people of all ages to come dressed as angels, shepherds, animals and star-watchers. So be creative with what you’ve got at home, remembering that tea-towels or tinsel are always good news. A reminder that the service will be livestreamed and people will be invited to the front, so if you don’t want you or your children to be identified on camera you could perhaps consider wearing something which hides your face like an animal mask?

At 6pm on Sunday 12th we’ve got CAROLS BY CARLIGHT which will be taking place outside on the hardstanding area just down from church. We are really excited to be working with Adam Gompertz and the REVS team again. If you’ve got a quirky or interesting car – or know someone who has one – do let them know about this and bring your own four wheels with you.

Next week sees a variety of carol services taking place across the parish, including Carols on the Green (Meole Estate) and Radbrook Carols (Radbrook Community Centre)

Our “carols by candlelight” services are taking place on Sunday 19th at 4.30pm and 7pm at Holy Trinity. Who will you invite or bring you with you? Come along for our regular blend of traditional carols in a beautiful setting, chances to hear the big story of the Bible, and opportunities for anyone and everyone to say “yes” to finding our own place in the Christmas story.

We’ve made the decision – regretfully – not to have mince pies and mulled wine after our service. But you might want to invite some friends round before or after the celebrations and do something smaller-scale at home.

Cafe Connect will be open as usual on the morning of Christmas Eve. Especially if you’re a regular do pop in and say “hi” and enjoy a glass of something suitably festive. And, of course, the Soul Purpose Team will be going for their annual world record at peeling vegetables. It’s not to be missed.

In the afternoon we’ve got two instalments of our popular crib services at 3.30pm and 5pm on Christmas Eve, before the midnight communion at Holy Trinity which begins at 11.30pm. Then Christmas Day sees celebrations at 9am and 11am.

Meanwhile there’s lots to catch up on midweek as well. Tomorrow night we’ve got our “Big Christmas Quiz” in Radbrook, and “Winter Warmer” on 11th December in the Trinity Centre. And we’ll be joining with people from all over the country for “Doorstep Carols” on Wednesday 15th December.

Of course, there’s also plenty for people of all ages as well…. with toddler group celebrations and Little Buds Toddler church, as well as youth Christmas parties, and many different events for local schools.

 

This Christmas we are partnering up again with Shrewsbury Homes for All. (www.shfa.org.uk) We would be grateful for donations of either individual items or ready-made ‘hamper’ style boxes for clients who are vulnerable during the Christmas period. Items most needed are dried goods, tinned goods, non-perishables and toiletries. No alcohol please.

Donations can be received at Cafe Connect, or at the Trinity Centre, by 9am on 13th December at the latest. Thankyou.

We ‘re nearly at the end of week #2 of our advent calendar with a difference, and the daily SIX O’CLOCK LIVE peek into the story of Christmas and a chance to slow down each day during a busy season. Whether you’re a regular or a newcomer to this daily Facebook meet-up then we’d love you to join us.