Bowland Benefice Pews News
10 December 2023 Advent 2
Almighty God,
purify our hearts and minds,
that when your Son Jesus Christ
comes again as judge and saviour
we may be ready to receive him,
who is our Lord and our God. Amen.
This week in the Benefice
Friday
8 December

6.00pm The Nativity at The
Crown, Peopleton

Saturday
9 December

10.30am
to 4.00pm

Christmas Tree
Festival in Upton
Snodsbury

Sunday
10 December

10.30am
2.00pm
to 4.00pm

Holy Communion in
Upton Snodsbury
Christmas Tree
Festival continues
10.30am Christingle Service
in White Ladies
Aston
3.00pm Carol Service in
Churchill
4.00pm Christingle Service
in Peopleton

Wednesday
13 December

7.00pm Candlelit
Quiet Service in
Peopleton

Thursday
14 December

7.00pm Christmas Cheer at
Spetchley Park

Sunday
17 December

10.30am Benefice Holy
Communion in
White Ladies Aston
4.00pm Carol Service in
Broughton Hackett
6.00pm Carol Service in
Peopleton
6.00pm Carol Service in
Upton Snodsbury
Let’s hope for a dry evening tomorrow, Friday 8
December for The Nativity at The Crown in
Peopleton. Thanks to Landlord Matt for
the use of the pub carpark. Why not warm up

afterwards in the Inn?

Please support the annual Christmas Tree Festival
in Upton Snodsbury this weekend. -Entry £2.00,
raffle, small gifts to buy and refreshments available.
Money raised will support St Kenelm’s.
On Wednesday 13 the Candlelit Quiet Service in
Peopleton will provide an opportunity for spiritual
refreshment and contemplation amid life’s busyness.
On Thursday 14 December in All Saints’ Church in
Spetchley Park an evening of delights is on offer
(including a raffle). The retiring collection will be for
Churches Conservation Trust to raise funds for the

upkeep of the Church.

The Candles in an Advent Wreath
Last Sunday’s first candle is the Candle of Hope
when we remember Abraham and the Patriarchs of

the Old Testament.

The second candle is the Candle of Peace when we
remember the prophets who foretold the birth of

Jesus.

The third candle is the Candle of Love when we
remember John the Baptist.
The fourth pink candle is the Candle of Joy when
we remember the devotion and sacrifice of Mary

the Mother of Jesus.

The final white candle is the candle of Jesus’ birth

and is lit on Christmas Day.
Advent Thoughts

It is difficult to keep in mind, during the hustle and
bustle and stress of December, that Advent is
intended to be a season of fasting, and reflection
on all the evil in the world.

A time to cry out for God to make things right and
to put death’s dark shadows to flight.
A time to look at our own lives and where we have

gone wrong.

A time of contemplation on our need for God’s

grace and healing touch.
O come Thou Day-Spring
Come and cheer
Our spirits by thy Advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
What is a Christingle Service?
…..A joyful celebration that brings families and
communities together to share the light of Jesus and

spread a message of hope.

The first Christingle service in the UK took place 55
years ago in Lincoln Cathedral but the origins go back
to the Moravian Church in Germany.
At a children’s service in 1747, Bishop Johannes de
Watteville looked for a simple way to explain the
happiness that had come to people through Jesus and
he created the symbol of the Christingle.
Each element has a special meaning and helps tell the

Christian story.-
The orange represents the world.
The red ribbon is the love and blood of Christ.
The dried fruit and sweets represent God’s creation.
And the lit candle is the light of Jesus, bringing hope

to people living in darkness.

Advent and Christmas can be difficult for people. If
you feel a chat with Revd Claire would help, please

ring her on 07921 101320.