Copyright Gospel Communications. Inc.

"The Rector has now left the building .. !"

So it's our Lay-Reader, Pauline Jones, who writes ..

A busy time for all of us isn’t it?  A busy time for all in the church – especially the wardens and the PCC. 

We will have said goodbye to Rector Barbara by the time you read this and we send our good wishes for a happy and fulfilled retirement. I will talk more, in the January magazine, about how the church will move forward in the time to come.

It is a busy time for us all in the lead up towards Christmas but let’s not forget why we celebrate. Take time outside the busyness and remember that Christ came to us in weakness, as a tiny child, and that event became our strength for we know that Jesus, as a man, knows how hard it can be for us all.  I hope we see you at one or more of our Christmas services as we think about this event.

To counteract our busy lives why not join us in our quiet day to be held next February. 

All are welcome even if you don’t normally join us in church services.

Have a very happy Christmas.

Pauline

Copyright Gospel Communications. Inc.

Dates for your Diaries

CHRISTMAS SERVICES

December 4^th 9.45am            Christingle Service at St. Leonard ’s, Clent
Through this lovely service we support the work of the Childrens’ Society and receive a visual reminder of the love of God for each one of us as the children receive a Christingle orange. The Childrens’ Society supports family life in many ways not least with their work with vulnerable young runaways from home who need a safe shelter and help to deal with the complex problems that have caused them to drop out of schooling and run away. All are welcome to this traditional start to the round of Christmas services

December 18^th            4.30pm  Carols on the Green with the animals
It has become a tradition that each year we gather on the green in Belbroughton with the animals from Belbroughton Animal Sanctuary and Protection to sing carols by torchlight and share some mince pies and mulled wine. Do join us this year to hear the latest news from A.S.A.P. and remember the part played by the animals in the nativity story.

TRADITIONAL LESSONS AND CAROLS
All are welcome to join us at one of these churches (with a time and date to choose from) and hear the Christmas story told in the scriptures, sing carols and listen to anthems from the church choirs.

11^th December   6.30pm             Holy Trinity, Belbroughton
18^th December   9.45am             St. Leonard ’s, Clent
18^th December    6.30pm            St. Mark’s, Fairfield

19^th December    7.30pm            Clent RC Chapel, Holy Cross Green
Carols by candlelight       An opportunity not to be missed to join with fellow Christians and sing God’s praises by candlelight in the chapel of St. Oswald and St. Wulstan. A warm welcome is assured (along with sherry & mince pies afterwards) but seating is limited so don’t be late!

24^th December            Christmas Eve Crib services when the children tell the Christmas story in visual and beautiful ways
3pm     St. Leonard ’s, Clent;
4pm     St. Mark’s, Fairfield
5pm     Holy Trinity, Belbroughton

11.30pm          Christmas Midnight Communion in all three churches
Everyone is welcome to worship at this time when it seems that the world holds its breath at the wonder of ‘God with us’, Emmanuel, the gift of God’s own Son born into a human family that first Christmas night. All who love God are welcome to come and worship and gather at the communion rail to make their Christmas communion or receive a blessing if preferred.

25^th December            Christmas Day
8am 1662 Prayer Book Communion at Holy Trinity Church , Belbroughton
10am Christmas Worship4All (Family Service) in all three churches

SPECIAL SERVICES IN THE NEW YEAR  

After you have celebrated the beginning of the New Year why not join us on
Sunday January 1st to rejoice in the possibilities the New Year may bring.
11.15am          Benefice Communion                         St. Mark’s, Fairfield

22nd January 6.30pm                                                Hagley Free Church

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service

Please give this good support as we join with our fellow Christians from Hagley, Broome, Blakedown and Churchill to worship together and pray for the unity that transcends our denominational boundaries in this service prepared and published by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland .

CONFIRMATION SERVICE in 2012 will take place at the end of April rather than in February next year, which gives us more time to plan the preparation for those who would be interested in taking this next step in their Christian lives. Confirmation is the confirming of the commitment made by parents and Godparents at baptism by the baptised themselves. It can therefore only be offered to those who are old enough to understand what it means and so those under ten or eleven probably need to wait a year before they are ready for this step. Pauline will be co-ordinating the preparations for the candidates from this Benefice, working closely with Rev. Richard Newton from Hagley and Fr Paul Harrison from Broome, Blakedown & Churchill. The service is at 10.30am on 29^th April at St. John’s , Hagley. If you are interested in taking this step. Please contact Pauline directly or via the Church office 01562 730777.

Benefice Quiet Day to be held at Barnes Close, Chadwich, Bromsgrove
4th February 2012  Come and take some time out of your busy life for yourself at this beautiful country house Cost £25 – contact Pauline if cost is a problem. What is a quiet day?  During the day there will be:

Bookings are being taken so get your name down as soon as possible as spaces are limited.  Please contact Philippa in the church office 01562 730777 to book a place or contact Pauline Jones for further information.

FROM THE REGISTERS
BELBROUGHTON  
Weddings             22nd October 2011        Geoffrey Robert Day and Joanna Clare Row
Burial of Ashes      5th November 2011      Elsie May Nash                    Aged 89 years

CLENT
Baptisms               16th October 2011        Gabriella Eve Pountney
                             16th October 2011       Tommy Hall & Lowenna Hall