Rector’s Update 08/12/2025

It was lovely to welcome people from across the Benefice to our Advent Carol Service on 30th November and the Associate Archdeacon preached a helpful sermon.  It was also good to see so many support the Christmas Coffee Morning at St Mary’s Bucklebury on Saturday – we are so grateful for the hard work and generosity of the helpers, bakers and generous donors.

The following day, also at St Mary’s Bucklebury, we enjoyed a light and joy filled Christingle service - it was wonderful to see so many local families taking part. 

We now begin to turn our thoughts towards Christmas with our Carol Services which start this weekend.  As well as coming along, please do be thinking about who you can ask to come with you to a service.  It’s an easy ask, as so many people love to come and sing carols at this time of year, but it makes such a difference to receive a personal invitation.

Sunday 14th December  
4pm      Pop Up Nativity and Carols at St Peter’s Church, Bradfield
6pm      Carol Service with choir at St Denys’, Stanford Dingley

Friday 19th December                  
6pm      Carol Service at St Mary Marlston

Sunday 21st December                 
4pm      Carol Service with choir at St Mary’s Bucklebury

Also, on Saturday 20th December, St Peter’s Church is holding a Light of the World Café – an opportunity to offer hospitality to the many people who come to see the Christmas lights in Bradfield Southend.  This year, we will be Carol Singing outside the Church while the café is open and would welcome enthusiastic singers from across the Benefice to join us between 5.30pm and 6.30pm – might you be able to come along?

Finally, please do continue to pray for the interview for a new Team Vicar (House for Duty) which takes place on Monday 15th December. 

I realise that this is a busy time of year for many of us, but I pray that in the midst of our Christmas preparations, we might find the peace and hope that the Christ child offers to us all.

Steve