News:

Happy New Year to all and we hope that you have all had a good Christmas and have managed to avoid the nasty coughs and colds that are circulating at the moment.

We realise that this time of year is not as enjoyable for everyone, so we remember at this time all who are going through difficulties, whether through ill health, following the loss of a loved one or those attending numerous hospital appointments. We pray that the skill of health professionals will help to ease the anxiety or pain you are feeling and that God will heal you. Do let us know if you would like us to pray for you by name.

Back in November, our Remembrance Sunday service was led by Julie.  Reflective music was played before and during the service with a couple of moving poems being read out as a focus of our grateful thanks for all who have given their lives through defence of our country for our freedom.

On Saturday 16 November we had our Autumn Fayre, which was well attended.  There were the usual festive stalls, tombolas, books, cakes, produce etc.  A craft table was available for the children while parents perused the goods on offer.  Light refreshments were served including bacon baps and delicious home-made soup. Our thanks go to all stallholders, refreshment providers, kitchen help and of course all those who attended to make this event a great success. It is good to see so many people returning to support us year on year. Over £900 was raised for church funds.

Our Christingle service on 1 December was held in conjunction with the Praise Party.  The service was in church and then we moved over to the village hall for activities, along with refreshments. Our thanks go to Doreen Venn who provided the Christingles, Rev’d Steph Gordon-Jeffs, Nik, Tash, Dave and Marc (aka Professor Chris Tingle with an experiment that nearly worked!) for their leading of the service and to Janet and Steven for providing the music. Thank you also to all who provided refreshments or arranged the activities.

The Carol Service was held on 15 December with a full church. The service was led by Jackie, with a little help from her young great-nephews.  After the service refreshments including mulled wine and mince-pies were enjoyed along with tea, coffee, cake and biscuits. The church was beautifully decorated ready for the festive season and our thanks go to all who contributed in any way to a lovely service.
Thank you to those from Calverleigh church and village residents who supported the Loxbeare and Calverleigh Carol Singers by joining in on one or more of the evenings arranged.  Thanks also to those who hosted the suppers on the three evenings and of course to Ron for his hard work arranging it all.

Twenty three of you joined us for a Christmas Informal Get-together on 22 December. Having coffee, cake and conversation, this is proving to be a popular time of friendship and fellowship, which fits well alongside our normal times of worship. If you feel you would like to come along and join us the next one will be on March 8 starting at 10am.

On Christmas Day our service led by our Rector Steph was a Cluster Christmas Communion. We were delighted to welcome a large congregation to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was good to see so many people, with past parishioners returning to worship with us as well.

At the beginning of January a good quantity of dried and tinned foods and toiletries was taken into the CHAT offices from donations given over the Christmas period by very generous parishioners. CHAT staff were delighted to receive these goods and our thanks go to all who gave contributions.

As many of you will know we hold an annual Day of Prayer in May.  To compliment this we are going to hold a monthly two hour time of prayer, on the first Saturday of each month, starting in February with the opportunity to make prayer requests. More details will be available in church or please speak to Aubrey Goldsworthy or Jackie Herniman. Participants can pray wherever they feel comfortable. It does not have to happen in church.

We are pleased to say that the restoration on the church windows has begun and will continue over the coming months.

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