What were you doing this time last year? It’s a question which is often discussed in our household as we reflect on the year which has passed us by and we look forward to the next year. It’s been an incredible year for Histon and Castle Street with many changes and momentous events. Histon have installed new toilets and held an amazing flower and quilt festival; Castle Street have had so many baptisms and confirmations I’ve almost lost count and had a fantastic weekend away with 3Generate.
For many of us, it will be the coming of the end of our adventure with the Bible as we complete reading it in a year: a huge congratulations if you made it this far, and I know we’ve all been challenged and inspired all at the same time (and I’m pretty sure we’ve all wanted to throw our Bibles across the room at some point in frustration!) And if you’d like to start a new adventure in January (see the notice elsewhere in this newsletter), you’re welcome to do so and join me for another year of reading!
We also enjoy our family Christmas services which are open to all and accessible for all ages. This year we will be exploring the role of reindeers in the Christmas story—trust me, it will all make sense. Come along to this service with friends and family for a reindeer activity packed service. We have our usual services over Christmas which all are welcome to.
Looking forward to next year, we will be holding some cyber security training in the church to help educate and refresh ourselves on how to stay safe online: criminals get cleverer and more savvy every day, and it’s important that we also keep up to date in our learning and understanding. This is not compulsory, but optional for anyone who would like to learn a bit more.
Our church family weekend away 21 to 23 March is going ahead in Suffolk and bookings are open to the general church. If you would like to come and reserve a space, please let Rev Jenny or Denise know—places are limited and it’s on a first come first serve basis.
As we enter this period of watching and waiting for the coming of our Lord, we remember the story of the Christ child, who was born into occupation and homelessness, and became a refugee. In the midst of our preparations, we pray and remember those who also watch and wait, but who fear persecution because of their faith; those who are homeless; and those who are refugees.
Rev Jenny