Joanna at the organ in her christmas hat



The Organ Loft decorated for Christmas

Our Christmas Crib

The Christmas Eve service saw a full congregation enjoy the anticipation of the birth of Jesus in the traditional way. The church was beautifully decorated, and the crib set up to mark the start of the christmas season.The music included O come All ye Faithful and Hark the Herald Angels sing. The choir sang 'Christmas Night by John Rutter.

Our service on the fourth Sunday in Advent, in which we hear the story of Mary's visit to Elizabeth, and light the last of our 4 Advent Candles, took place on the 23rd of December. The Choir sang 'The Angel Gabriel' a traditional Basque carol arranged by Edgar Pettman as the anthem.

The traditional service of 9 lessons and carols was held at St Mary's on the evening of the 18th of December.
A full congregation heard the Christmas story told in lessons from Genesis, Isaiah, St Luke, St Matthew, and St John.
The Choir and Congregation sang Once in Royal David's City, Long ago Prophets knew, O come O come Emmanuel, The first Nowell and O come all ye faithful.
The Choir sang Adam lay y'bounden By Boris Ord, A Maiden Most Gentle by Andrew Carter, Away in a Manger, Kirkpatrick, arr Wilcocks, In Dulci Jubilo, by Pearsall, Torches,by J Joubert, and Ding Dong Merrily on High, harmony by C Wood.

The children's choir sang the first verse of One in Royal David's City, and the third verse of Away in a Manger unaccompanied. It was a delight to have the children contribute to this service.

Please look at the calender for the other Christmas services at St Mary our Lady, and we wish everyone a happy and peaceful Christmas.

On Sunday November the 25th we held our Advent Wreath making afternoon. The completed wreaths were blessed by Father Roger and everyone partook of an excellent tea. It was a very successful event, enjoyed by every one and also raised £200 towards the New Church Rooms project. Many thanks to Anwyl, Shirley who provided tea, and Chris who donated the candles.

The New Rooms project is going forwards, fund raising has been very successful, please look at the notice board in Church to see the current total, over £200,000 so far. The committee who are guiding the project have had a busy year working with the architects and the authorities including the Diocesan Advisory Committee and English Heritage on what will be practical, aesthetically acceptable, and fulfil the needs of the congregation and the wider parish. We are making progress, and have received useful guidance from the authorities. We are undertaking an archaeological survey of the proposed site, and look forward to moving through the process of design and approval for the New Rooms in the New Year. Please keep watching the website, and attending the fund raising events, which we hope you are also enjoying!

A list of events for 2013 will appear here and in Church straight after Christmas.