Christmas at St Andrew's, Dearnley

Christmas at St Andrew's, Dearnley

The Bishop of Middleton, the Rt Rev Mark Davies, will celebrate Sung Eucharist at 9.30am on Sunday 18 December, after which he will lead our congregation in writing a greeting on a Christmas card which will then be sent to a prisoner of conscience as part of Amnesty International's annual appeal.

Every December, Amnesty supporters all over the world write millions of letters on behalf of those whose basic human rights are under attack; and directly linked with the global campaign to end such abuse, people are urged to send Christmas cards to victims with messages of comfort and support.

Jo Hill, who regularly worships at St Andrew's and is an active member of the church, will have a supply of cards available and she will invite everyone, including Bishop Mark, to write a message ready for despatch.

Donations towards the cost of postage will be welcomed, but all you really need is a pen, and the desire to be part of this annual expression of support.

Bishop Mark, who will also lead our Crib and Christingle Service at 4.00pm in church on Saturday, 24 December, worked as curate and then priest-in-charge in Barnsley before becoming an honorary Canon of Wakefield Cathedral in 2002.

He joined the Manchester Diocese as Archdeacon of Rochdale in 2006 and was appointed Bishop of Middleton two years later.

Writing about his early days when he was exploring a vocation to the priesthood, Bishop Mark said he grew up in a parish church that had a stability built on faithfulness to prayer, to the sacraments, to scripture, to service, and to great, hefty dollops of fun!

"It was", he said, "a heady mixture."

Hopefully, he will experience a similar sense of joy and fulfilment at our Christingle when we tell the Christmas story with the renowned St Andrew's puppets, which last year delighted a full-house congregation that was over-flowing with children.

It starts at 4.00pm, Christmas Eve, but please be advised to arrive early if you have small children who will want to be at the front near the puppets.

Selection boxes for disadvantaged children need to be brought to church by this weekend at the latest.

Christmas Diary:

Sunday, 18 December: Sung Eucharist at 9.30am; Carol Service, with Christmas readings, at 3pm, followed by mince pies and mulled wine.

Saturday 24 December: Crib and Christingle Service, with puppets, at 4.00pm; Christmas Mass at 11.00pm.

Sunday, Christmas Day: Eucharist at 9.30am.