THE GRAPEVINE – FEBRUARY 2024
February is here at last and the snowdrops are cheering us up no end. This February issue, the first of the year, devotes four pages to our Christmas celebrations, starting with the Gift Service where toys were laid at the foot of the Christmas tree. Our Carol service by candlelight, which attracted a good few people from beyond our regular congregation, started off with mulled wine and mince pies followed by the traditional Nine Lessons and Carols with some lovely additional music provided by the choir. The Christingle service on Christmas Eve was action-packed, tracking Santa’s progress as he made his way across the world, looking around the church for the nativity figures to place in the empty nativity and, of course, making our own Christingles, then lighting their candles and remembering their significance in the scheme of Christmas things. Finally, the short Christmas Day service was enjoyed as were the gifts brought to show one another. Moving on to practical things, we are delighted to learn that future provision has been made for stipendiary ministry in our URC area following our minister’s retirement. There are two articles on ‘Grand Days Out’ to encourage us to get out and about as the days lengthen. We were able to ensure a degree of Christmas happiness amongst our ArtPeace friends due to sales of their sculptures from our church. There is more. Read and enjoy!