On Christmas Eve children from across our villages gathered in the Church Centre for or Crib Service. They came dressed as Mary and Joseph, shepherds and sheep, wise men and angels – and a dragon! They listened carefully to Reverend Pauline’s retelling of the story of the first Christmas building up the scene in the stable at Bethlehem.
Christmas Flowers
A huge thank you to everyone who used their talents to make our Churches look so beautiful this Christmas .
School Christmas Carol Services
The Assemblies Teams from all three churches worked together to produce a performance of ‘A Bohemian Nativity’ using puppets to act out a version of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
The show was performed at both Winscombe and Sandford Primary Schools’ Carol services and again for the services attended by students from Churchill Academy.
You can watch the show here:
Children’s Society Christingle Service
THE CHILDREN’S SOCIETY
CHRISTINGLE SERVICE
On Sunday 11th December Revd. Jacqui Keir-Bucknall, our Curate, led the annual Christingle Service in St James’s Church. The Christingle reminds us that God created our world and gave us all the good things that we have whilst the candle in the centre represents Jesus, light of the world, here to love and support us. The Children’s Society loves, supports and works with the many children in this country who sadly are unloved, abused, lonely, living on the streets or refugees.
Once again, the Service was very well attended with 25 children – and their parents/carers – joining us as together we made our Christingles. After making the Christingles we circled the church, lit the candles and turned out the lights whilst we sang Away in a Manger. Magical and a great start to the Christmas celebrations.
The work of the Children’s Society helping and protecting vulnerable children is vital and thank you to all who attended and for your generous donations. We raised £106.91.
Carols By Lantern Light
On Saturday 10th December the first ever ‘Carols By Lantern Light’ was held at the Church Centre on a very seasonally cold, but thankfully, dry evening.
This being the first time the event had been organised, we did not know quite what to expect in terms of numbers. Over 300 people of all ages came!! What a turn out!
Santa arrived at 4.45pm, not on his sleigh, but in a sports car! He had very kindly given the reindeer the night off so that they would be fit for their long journey on Christmas Eve.
90 or so children were then able to visit Santa in his grotto where he was ably assisted by his elves. He was full of Christmas spirit as he reminded the children to be good, not to peep on Christmas Eve and gave a few hints as to his favourite tipple which co-incidentally seemed to be a certain local brand of cider!
Mulled wine, hot chocolate and hot dogs helped to keep everyone warm while they listened to a variety of festive music played by the wonderful Weston Brass.
We then gathered for the Community Singing of traditional carols and Christmas songs accompanied by Weston Brass and introduced by our Master of Ceremonies, Winscombe Post Office’s Steve Reed who looked splendid in his Dickensian costume. Everyone seemed to be in good voice.
Our curate, Reverend Jacqui, gave a short reflection on the meaning of Christmas and we finished by singing ‘We Wish You A Merry Christmas’ to each other.
Everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves and be keen to repeat the experience next year – so watch this space!
Remembrance Sunday 2022
Remembrance Sunday Services at each of our churches were well attended on Remembrance Sunday as our villages paid their respects to the fallen and the two minute silence was kept at 11 am.
In Sandford people assembled at the memorial to lay wreaths and listen to the names of those who died. At the church the standard was laid on the altar and Sandford Hand Bell Ringers played peals and chimes giving the congregation time to reflect. Poignant displays of poppies and artefacts were a reminder of the role of the Army, Navy and Air Force in conflicts past and present. There were also white and purple poppies representing peace and the contribution of animals.
St James’s was decorated, once again, with knitted poppies. The Royal British Legion paraded their flags together with over 40 young people from the various Girl Guiding and Scout sections in Winscombe. The Last Post was played by a young trumpet player, followed by the two minute silence and then Reveille providing a very special atmosphere in the Church. Scouts and Guides also read the names of the fallen. Wreaths from a number of community organisations were laid on the altar before being placed on the War Memorial at the conclusion of the service.
At St John’s a small congregation led by Rev Warren Williams took part in the service of at which a poppy wreath was placed on the two war memorial tablets in church and the two boys who lost their lives on Dolberrow Warren were remembered.
Comfort for the Homeless
‘Somewhere to Go’ is a support centre providing day and night services to help rough sleepers and disadvantaged and vulnerable people.
I am collecting once again this year before the onset of winter, bedding, sleeping bags, blankets and warm clothes.
Please help by donating items, leave in my porch or personally deliver to Weston-super-Mare.
Angela Morris 81 Green Hill Road Sandford 01934 852327
Vacancies within our Parishes.
Please see below for details of two vacancies.
For further information about this role please download the full document.
Andrew’s Licensing At Churchill
Andrew was licensed as ‘Priest in Charge’ at Churchill and Langford (with particular responsibility for Churchill) on Monday 26th July. This was another step on the way to Churchill joining us but we’re not quite there yet!
Welcoming our Ukrainian Family
We are in the process of furnishing and equipping Birch Cottage in readiness for the arrival of our Ukrainian Family.
For more information about how you can help please visit the Churchwardens Notices page