Jesus, born to be King. God with us. Come to show us God’s love. On a mission to rescue us and bring us his life. A king worth knowing and worth following.

We’d love to welcome you face-to-face to our Christmas services at St Michael’s this year to find out more about this King.

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

Christmas Eve Christingle Service 3pm St Michael’s Centre

Christmas Eve Midnight Communion 11.15pm St Michael’s Church

Christmas Day All Age Communion 10am St Michael’s Centre

Our Christmas Eve Communion at 11.15pm is live streamed as well as our 10am Christmas Day Celebration. Our 3pm Christingle is in-person only

What are you doing in Advent? Do you have an advent calendar or candle? Perhaps you are reading a book of reflections, or signed up to receive devotional emails from a Christian organisation?

There are lots of different resources and options for us to tap into during this time, and here are just a couple:

Action Advent from LICC – download an Advent Calendar full of ways to make a difference.

Lectio 365 and Family Advent from 24-7 Prayer.

There are also lots of Reading Plans on YouVersion – this one comes recommended: 21 Gifts of Advent.

If there is something that you’re enjoying using, why not share it on the Connect Facebook group?

Whatever you choose during this season of Advent, here is a prayer for us all:

Our Christmas Fair is on Saturday 26 November starting at 11am. Father Christmas is coming, there will be lots of fun and games and children’s crafts and opportunities to browse and buy lovely unique Christmas gifts. Our Coffee Shop will also be opening for welcome refreshment.

We seek to promote quality local craftspeople, and aim to limit the number of duplicate stalls to ensure a good breadth of items for sale and to be fair to stallholders. Tables are £15. If you would like a table, or have any questions, please contact us for a booking form.

We all love a good story right? I was given a birthday gift of a poster that contained a ‘bucket list’ of a hundred films that simply must be seen before departing this life!

From James Bond to the marvel universe, movies convey stories of hope, rescue, love and redemption.

And right at the heart of a good story is the hero. Batman, Spiderman, Ironman, Captain Marvel and Black widow. All captivate us with their flawed natures and flowing capes.

At the heart of Christmas is another hero. A hero unlike any other. A hero with no flaws or failings. A hero who gave His name to the festival. A hero who would lay down His life for his friends. A hero who could not be defeated by death.

This Christmas I am praying this prayer: “Lord Jesus, may I find space in the middle of this busy, chaotic, celebratory Christmas season to make You my hero once more.”

Have a lovely Christmas and a restful new year,

God bless,

Revd Canon Simon Jones

Click here for all the info you need about our Christmas services.

Thanks to all who came along to Carols on the Green

We are counting our collections and donations made and will update asap

In the meantime below are some wonderful photos of the event 

(Thank you to Rob Wicks)

Our Christmas theme this year – ‘At the heart of Christmas’ – seems like such an appropriate focus for us to reflect on as we come towards the end of what has been another difficult and challenging year, living with the realities and restrictions that    Covid-19 has brought.  When so much that was ‘normal’ was stripped away from our Christmas celebrations last year, we are all hoping for better things this year as we plan and prepare for Christmas – albeit in the ‘open-handed’ way we have all had to learn to live with. But this simple reminder that ‘At the heart of Christmas’ lies a baby – a baby born over 2,000 years ago, but a baby whose life can breathe life, give meaning, bring hope to our hearts in a way that really can make a difference to us here, today.

And nothing – not even Covid-19 – can take that reality away! To help us know the reality for ourselves, there are online Advent and Christmas resources available from the Church of England, and also our own online Advent Calendar

We are hoping and praying that we will be able to celebrate Christmas together as church in our communities with the full range of carol services and events that has been planned.  Do take a look at the enclosed flyer that gives details of what is happening, where and when – and come along in-person (please wear a face-covering for indoor events and services) or join in online. We would love to share our celebrations with you!

And the really good news is that Jesus doesn’t just make an appearance at Christmas…   He will journey with us into the new year, whatever that might hold for us.  And there are lots of opportunities for you to join in the life of the church as we live out our vision of ‘Living to make a difference by being a Christian heart at the centre of our communities’.  Do check out what’s on and consider yourself warmly invited to those things that might be of interest.  

Finally, please be assured of our love and prayers for you as we celebrate Christmas this year; we’d love to share it with you along the way!   And may God bless you and keep you in His love and care.