Revd Bruce writes...As we move through the liturgical year we are already intothe season of Advent. It is a time that we can be drawn pasttoo quickly with so much of ‘Christmas’, and the images ofwhat that should look like, in every shop...sometimes sinceOctober!A few years ago, Sarah and I visited Ripon Cathedral inNorth Yorkshire, and they had a stunning display of bannersdepicting the ‘O antiphons.'These we might recognise in the great hymn ‘O Come, OCome Emmanuel’. These were originally used at vespers onthe last seven days of Advent and many Anglican churchesuse these in their Evensong services during the last sevendays of Advent.So, my prayer is that you are able to take some time out inthe busyness of the season and enjoy your advent journey. Ihope that you can draw close to Christ in those everydaymoments and enjoy the season of Advent as we preparewith joyful anticipation for the birth of Christ.Rev BruceServices for December2 St Mary’s, Coton in the Elms 3:00pm (Family Service)3 All Saints’, Lullington 9:00am (HC- Iona)St Peter's, Netherseal 9:45am (HC)St Laurence’s, Walton 10:00am (HC)St Matthews, Overseal 2-4.00pm (Gala Giveaway)Christ Church, Linton, 11:00am (HC)St Mary’s, Rosliston 11:15am (HC)10 All Saints’, Lullington 9:00am (HC-Iona)St Peter's, Netherseal, 9:45am (Toy Service)St Laurence’s, Walton 10:00am (HC)St Matthews, Overseal 10:30am (HC)Christ Church, Linton, 11:00am (MP)St Mary’s, Coton 11:15am (Toy Service)17 All Saints’, Lullington 9:00am (HC- Iona)St Mary’s, Rosliston 11:15am (HC & Carol Service)St Peter's, Netherseal 4:00pm (Carol Service)Christ Church, Linton, 4:00pm (Carol Service)St Laurence’s, Walton 6:00pm (Carol Service)St Matthews, Overseal 6:00pm (Carol Service)18 St Mary’s, Coton 6:00pm (Carol Service)22 St Mary’s, Coton 5:00pm (Crib Service)24 St Matthews, Overseal 3:00pm (Crib Service)Christ Church, Linton, 3:00pm (Crib & Christingle)St Peter’s, Netherseal 4:30pm (Crib Service)All Saints’, Lullington 7:00pm (Carols by Candlelight)St Mary’s, Coton 11:30pm (Midnight Mass)St Laurence’s, Walton 11:30pm (Midnight Mass)25 All Saints’, Lullington 9:00am (HC-Iona)St Peter’s, Netherseal 9:45am (Family Communion)Christ Church, Linton 9:30am (Family Communion)St John the Baptism, Croxall 11:15am (FamilyCommunion)31 St Laurence’s, Walton 10:00am (HC- Joint Team Service)St Mary’s, Coton 11:00pm (Watchnight Service)Other dates for your DiaryMorning prayer each Tuesday at 10:00am at St Mary’s Coton,with a chance to chat with Rev Bruce afterwards. Not on the 26th.Morning prayer each Wednesday at 10:00am with Rev Derek anda chance to chat afterwards. 6th: Netherseal, 13th: Overseal, 20th:Lullington, and 27th: Linton.
What’s Been Happening? Wow what an amazing few months we’ve had at St Marys Coton! We have continued to have our lovely monthly communion services led by Rev Bruce, as well as our monthly coffee mornings. Its been lovely to see so many faces old and new in church. Our new Saturday family service and Friday stay and Play started last month and was lots of fun, and we look forward to our next ones at the start of November it would be lovely to see you all. We were privileged to welcome 5 in Harmony into church to perform for you all, raising money for our new church path, and I think all will agree it was a great afternoon. The Harvest Super and Quiz had lots of laughs and fun and really highlighted what church and community is about. Harvest has been a lovely community event this month and I am so proud of what our community has achieved with the collection for Swadlincote Food Bank. Antonia Johnson Church WardenComing up … We have lots of great events and services coming up in November and December to tell you about. We start with Remembrance, Firstly the Family service on the 4th of November and then our Remembrance Sunday service on the 12th November at 10.45am. This year we will parade out to the Aston Memorial where our bugler will play the Last Post before we hold a 2 minutes silence followed by the Reveille. Would be lovely to see as many of you there as possible to pay respects and children and adults in current or past uniformed organisations are welcome to attend in their uniforms.In December we will play host to a number of Christmas events and services, dates of which are above. As a church we are passionate about giving back and are wanting to do a toy appeal in December to support families and children who may go without at Christmas full details over the page. If you or someone you know in the village is struggling and particularly at Christmas may go without, please do privately let the church know and we will help where we can to make sure everyone can celebrate this ChristmasKey Diary Dates!! Community Events Christmas Bingo Usual excellent prizes, selection boxes Doors open 6:30pm 17th November Coffee morning Saturday 25th November 10am to noon with craft stalls for those wishing to start their Christmas shopping Stay and Play 8th December 1:30pm to 3pm for all pre-school children Christmas Fayre 9th December 10am to 1pm Lots of festive activities Christmas Movie Night 15th December showing “The Grinch” 6:30pm for a 7pm start Services Saturday Family Service 2nd December. A relaxed service aimed at anyone who is young and young at heart starting at 3pm Advent Holy Communion 10th December 11:15am ALL welcome Carol Service 18th December at 6pm Crib Service Friday 22nd December at 5pm Midnight Mass Sunday 24th December at 11:30pm
There will be NO CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE at St Marys Coton. BUT Midnight Mass for Christmas will take place here on 24th Dec at 11:30pmOur group Christmas Day Service will take place at St John the Baptist Church at CROXALL at 11:15 am