Have you read the December Brindle Voice? This year deprivation is so acute it raises many issues. We are supporting folk in need, in crisis or changed circumstances. Food donations continue for St. James’ Over Darwen. Our Christmas appeal reaches out to Rummage Rescuers who offer support to diocesan parishes. You may be supporting other similar charities and food banks. Please keep up this valued support. Deeply humbled by the work being undertaken by Father Alex Frost in Burnley, by Rob at Over Darwen and so many more, we know they are truly responding to the call of Jesus to care for the poor and needy and they are doing it in a practical way sustained by their prayers and ours. Please do shop or donate if you can. Thank you <a href="https://rummage-rescuers.square.site/donations">https://rummage-rescuers.square.site/donations</a><br><br>An update in the notices, Saturday 12th December 2020.<br>Thank you for all of your food donations so far. Sam is going to the food bank drop-in for parishioners of St. James' Over Darwen on 19th December. Your donations are very gratefully received. If you have continued to put tins aside during Advent, or have more gifts to offer, please do bring them along with you if you have booked a church service Sunday, Wednesday this week or when our church is open for private prayer, Tuesday 15th December 10.30 –12 and Thursday 17th December 11-12. We will then continue to collect food donations during 2021, with the next run up to the food bank on 2nd January. Thank you.<br><br>An update from Rummage Rescuers, Friday 11th December 2020.<br>The teams at Rummage Rescuers send their thanks on behalf of individuals and families in need. Some of the recipients have already seen the overwhelming response this week and are so very grateful. Those referred by the Blackburn with Darwen council community connectors and other organisations will receive surprise gifts before Christmas. All those in crisis continue to have access to the Canterbury Street Warehouse thanks to the Pounds Pending cash fund for some of the most in need during the months ahead. Thank you to all of you for your fantastic support.<br><br>
On the last Sunday of the Church year we celebrate the festival of Christ the King. We think about what Jesus wanted to be when he grew up, maybe a carpenter like his father Joseph, a doctor as he was so good a healing people, or a fisherman like his friends? However, Jesus was born to be a King. We expect a King to live in a palace, wear expensive clothes and have lots of people who look after them. On their head they may even wear a beautiful crown. Jesus wore a crown just before he died on the cross, this was not a beautiful or expensive crown but a crown of thorns that was put on his head before he was crucified. Everyone laughed at Him and a sign was put over his head saying “King of the Jews”. Jesus was not a selfish and greedy King, he was the servant King who served all of God’s people here on Earth. Imagine what the world would be like if we did our best to be like Jesus and love each other. It is because of this love that on this Sunday we say a prayer to … … “Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may by you be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord.” In this prayer we are asking that God’s words stir us to carry on the good word of Jesus Christ our Lord. For this reason, today was the traditional day in which all in the family would help to stir up the Christmas puddings and cakes, hence the name stir-up Sunday. Christmas puddings contain dried fruit, peel, spice, sugar and so on. Traditionally there were 13 ingredients to represent Jesus and his 12 disciples. Each member of the family takes a turn stirring the mixture whilst making a wish. Perhaps over the next few weeks it would be fantastic if you could take a photograph of you making and stirring a Christmas pudding or cake. This is open to any member to any member of our congregation young or old, on your own or with your family. Please could you send any pictures to Lynn. Alternatively, you could design or make a beautiful crown fit for a king.
