St Andrew's, Dearnley and Smithy Bridge

St Andrew's, Dearnley and Smithy Bridge

Anyone wishing to help at St Andrew's, Dearnley (Littleborough) with the making of about 100 Christingles will be welcomed with open arms when the task begins in Church at 9.30am next Saturday, 11 December.

The Christingle service will take place at 3pm on the following day, Sunday 12 December, and if the turn-out at this service in recent years is any guide we can expect a full Church.

Christingle was introduced to the Church of England in 1968 and now more than 6,000 Christingle celebrations take place each year, raising funds for The Children's Society and its work with some of society's most disadvantaged children.

Writing in the December issue of Crux, Bishop Nigel says the Church must care for the bruised and broken, the marginalised and the excluded.

"Christmas is a good time to be reminded," he adds, "of the vital importance of 'incarnational ministry' to the disadvantaged and dispossessed."

On a similar theme we require chocolate selection boxes for needy families as soon as possible please so they can be distributed locally in time for Christmas.

Our Advent preparations for the birth of Jesus continue on Sunday 12 December with our usual Sunday services at 8am and 10am (Sung Eucharist), followed at 3pm with Christingle.

Anyone who has been selling Christmas Draw tickets for the Wider Welcome project is asked to return counterfoils and money to Stuart Carmichael by then so the draw can take place in Church on the following Sunday 19 December.

Our Carol Concert with Wardle Anderson Band also takes place on the 19th, starting at 6pm.

Christmas Eve: Crib Service for children and families (4pm); Midnight Eucharist (11pm).

Christmas Day: Family Eucharist (10am).

Boxing Day: Said Eucharist (10am).