Once again we are approaching what is sometimes known as ‘the season of goodwill’ and Christians certainly see Christmas as an amazing act of goodwill on God’s part so it will come as no surprise then, that there will be plenty of special thanksgiving services in the churches up to and beyond December 25th.

If I may mention just two such events taking place on Sunday December 19th.

One is the Family Service in the morning to be held in the hall of the Primary School, which will be led by the young people of our church.

The second is the very much appreciated evening carol service at St.Johns where the local churches combine for a time of celebration, when those Bible passages of which we never tire will be read, and those carols that never lose their appeal will be sung.

But before that at 10am on Wednesday 15th December at Long Lane, there is Coffee and Carols with Jan and Colin Hayter, and everybody is welcome to come.

This year, we as a church will be celebrating our first Christmas at our new building in Long Lane. But that building is also an all seasons venue for many varied activities including three new ventures.

On the third Wednesday of every month, starting at 1pm there are informal Craft Afternoons for ladies that are proving very popular. If you are interested, why not give Pam Drake a ring on 8086 4076, she knows more about it than I do.

Then there is the Vintage Group lunch and games afternoons, that are held occasionally at the moment, but will happen more often if there is a demand. As the name of the group indicates, this activity is for those of us who have a pre-war chassis, a few miles on the clock, and yet are still very roadworthy.

So if Monopoly is up your street, while Scrabble leaves you lost for words, and you have time for Trivial Pursuits, then Jill Gardener is the girl to contact if you wish to be kept informed of this activity, Her number is 8086 8525.

However, if you are looking for answers to the more serious things in life, and are wondering what Christianity has to offer, then the Alpha Course to be held on Tuesday evenings starting on January 11th 2005 may appeal to you.

Maria in the Sound of Music said to ‘start at the very beginning is a very good place to start’, and the Alpha Course as its Greek name suggests, does just that for those who want to join others on the pilgrimage of Faith.

For more information on this course and all our other church activities, please call me on 8086 4076.

Roland Drake.