It was an emotional Sunday morning as we said goodbye to Martin Randall, our Lay Reader, and his wife Kath. They have been part if St Mary’s for over twenty-five years and in that time have been an active and central part of life in Woodkirk.
At the end of the service, which in itself contained Martin’s last sermon at St Mary’s and hymns chosen by Kath and Martin, they were presented with a canvas print of St Mary’s (using one of Martin’s own photographs), a Rockingham crystal decanter and glass set and a bouquet of flowers. Amanda and Debbie had prepared a song for them, which the congregation joined in with.
After the service a faith lunch had been prepared which was a lovely social occasion and a great way of Kath and Martin to say their goodbyes.
We wish Kath and Martin all the best for the future, and look forward to seeing them on occasional visits back up to Yorkshire.
If you remember, earlier in the year the oldest window we have in church, the mediaeval monk’s window was removed, cleaned, repaired, and replaced.
We usually notice some colour, but look at it shining on the vestry door this morning! Beautiful!!
Twenty children spent three hours at St Mary’s this morning and fun, games and craft. As well as meeting Charlie and Alice, playing Christmassy games and singing, the children made lots of different crafts.
These crafts included foam Christmas trees, candy canes, candles, Christmas cards and decorating Christingle biscuits. For display in church over Christmas, children each decorated a star which will go on a banner right above the choir stalls.
Couldn’t resist posting this superb Dave Walker (www.cartoonchurch.com) cartoon. Brilliant!!
Reproduced with permission.
A posada is an old Mexican tradition where children dressed as Mary and Joseph travel around the parish, sharing the journey with as many people as possible before arriving in church on Christmas Eve.
Obviously we can’t use children nowadays but we are using small models of Mary and Joseph and the donkey to travel from house to house in the parish. Each person looks after the three travellers for a day before taking them to the next person. There is a prayer which is said at each house, usually with a coffee and mince pie.
Hopefully Mary, Joseph and the donkey arrive back in church safe and sound on Christmas Eve to join models of the other characters, after sharing the Christmas message around many houses and families in the parish.
Today is Advent Sunday and the start of our preparation to welcome Jesus at Christmas. We have collated an Advent Prayer calendar which provides a thought, prayer or short Bible verse every day to prepare ourselves and consider the true meaning of Christmas.
If you weren’t able to pick one up from church, please feel free to download a copy by clicking on the picture below:
A good time was had by all at the Christmas Fair today. Lots of things to do, see, buy and eat and it was certainly busy for the whole 5 hours. Here are a few snaps of the events, we’ll post the total funds raised when they are confirmed.
This years Christmas Fair is on Saturday 26th November from 10am to 3pm in the Parish Centre.
All the usual stalls will be there including chocolate, homemade preserves and pickles, raffle, books, games, tombola, cakes Christmas gifts stall and many more. Santa will be making an appearance and there will be lunches to keep you shopping throughout the afternoon! Entrance is 50p with under fives free.
All are welcome, please tell your family and friends.
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