Newsletter - 21 December 2023
PARISH NEWS
WISHING YOU A BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
The meaning of Christmas everywhere in the world is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ our King and master. This is a family time (and a Church family time), a time to offer and to receive, this is also a time to be joyful and to rejoice together.
Sometimes however it is not so easy to rejoice, for different reasons (illness, family issues, loneliness, personal matters…) So I would like to give us a tip to help us to rejoice whatever your situation. I already wrote about it a few years ago, but I still think it’s relevant. Let’s start to smile at one another :
“A smile costs nothing, but creates much.
It enriches those who receive, without impoverishing those who give. It happens in a flash and the memory of it sometimes lasts for ever.
None are so rich they can get along without it, and none so poor but are richer for its benefits.
It creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in a business, and the countersign of friends.
It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and nature’s best antidote for trouble.
Yes it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is no earthly good to anybody till it is given away.
And if in the last-minute rush of Christmas buying, some of our salespeople should be too tired to give you a smile, may we ask you to leave one of yours?
For nobody needs a smile so much as those who have none left to give!”
Happy Christmas, and may the Lord Jesus Christ bless each one of you and your families.
Fr Christophe Brunet, ccn
Focus of the Week
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
18-25 January is the annual week of prayer for Christian Unity. There will be a service on Tuesday, 23 January at Christ the King at 7:30 to which we have invited Christians from the churches in our area. This year’s theme is “Being Good Neighbours” and will feature Jo Collins and Mary Ward from our local Chickenshed Theatre as well as selections from the Rock musical.
Join the Ecumenical Chorus!
Rock is a musical based on the life of St Peter. It was first performed in 1973 at the Parish of Christ the King and is being revived to celebrate Chickenshed’s 50th Anniversary.
Performances will be 24 March (Palm Sunday) and 25 March.
Rehearsals begin at Christ the King, weekly from Friday 26 January 7.15-8.30pm.
If you are interested, please email joc@chickenshed.org.uk