December can feel like chaos – lots of social events, services, Christmas presents to buy, never-ending to-do lists and the pressure to create the perfect Christmas. But in the midst of this chaos, our churches can offer an opportunity to find peace during this busy time.The Church of England's theme for Advent and Christmas 2024, Follow the Star: Calm and Bright, draws on the world-famous carol, Silent Night:“Silent Night! Holy Night!All is calm, all is bright...”One of the reasons that this carol is so universally loved is the way it invites us into the still centre of the Christmas story, to contemplate Mary holding the new-born Jesus, the Light of the World.The angelic messages we encounter in the biblical story of Jesus’ birth typically hold together the need for calm in the present (“Do not be afraid” … “Fear not”) with the hope of a bright future (“for you have found favour with God” … “for behold I bring you tidings of great joy”).Throughout Advent, we will focus primarily on how to find Calm during this busy period, with reflections offering people a chance to pause during the busy season and tips on how to prepare for a calm Christmas.Then through Christmas, we will focus particularly on Bright, with a series of daily reflections from Christmas Day to the Eve of Epiphany (5 January) by Sammi Tooze, Discipleship Adviser for the Diocese of York, both in digital form and as a booklet. The weblink will appear here nearer the time, but in the meantime if you wish you can download the 'Everyday Faith' APP onto your phone.
The St Cuthbert’s Three-Church Trail links the three St. Cuthbert’s churches in North Tyne and Redesdale, travelling from Elsdon to Corsenside and Bellingham.The three churches are dedicated in the name of St Cuthbert, as being places where his coffin rested in the 9th century or even places which Cuthbert may have visited in the 7th century as he made long missionary journeys in remote Northumbria. The trail is walked as an annual pilgrimage on or around St Cuthbert’s Day, celebrated on 4th September (an official alternative date to the traditional 20th March). The picture above shows walkers crossing Smoutel Ford on 4th September 2021. The St. Cuthbert's Three-Church Trail Walking Guide is available in the three St Cuthbert’s churches (suggested minimum donation £5 (+ p&p if required) or by emailing Marie Ness marie@training4business.org
