On Sunday evening we had our Service of 9 Lessons and Carols.The newly decorated and candle lit church had a very welcoming sight for the full congregation who attended this lovely service. Father Stephen was able to join us for the service which followed the traditional pattern of prayers, readings, carols and choir items. We were very pleased to be joined by two great friends of St Marys, who contribute to our music on special occasions, James Roriston, who conducted the Choir and also played the organ, and Peter Webster, who was the soloist in three items, In the Bleak Midwinter (Rossetti; Darke) The Spotless Rose (trad 14C, Howells) and The Three Kings (Cornelius arr Atkins) adding greatly to our service. The Choir also sang Adam Lay Ybounden (anon 15C, Ord),A Maiden Most Gentle (Andrew Carter) and The Sussex Carol. The first verse of Once in Royal David's City was sung by Lucy, the Head Chorister of the Junior Choir, all the Junior Choir took part in the Choir items, it was a great joy to have them with us after a very successful year for them. The congregation sang a number of Hymns including 'While Shepherds Watched' and 'O Come All ye Faithful'. The traditional readings, from the Old and New Testament telling the story of the Birth of Jesus were as fresh and meaningful as ever, read by different members of the Church Family, from the youngest, one of the server team, to Father Stephen himself closing with the opening chapters of St John's Gospel.,   It was a very fitting start to the Christmas period.