Dec / Jan 2024/5 - E-Magazine
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Behind Every Great Christmas is Mum?
A few years ago there was an article criticising the Asda Christmas advert. People said the advert was sexist: the model-slim perfectly-presented mother running round like a headless chicken doing all the presents, trees, decorations, kids’ performances, food and so on. What dinosaur had approved such an ad!
I must then be a bit of a dinosaur - I found the advert funny, because that is just what December is like for many of us. For many people Christmas is exactly like that advert, getting stressed about things that don’t really matter. Maybe that triggered the backlash because it touched a nerve, showing us all how we act during the ‘festive’ season’.
December can be the most stressful month of the year. There are hundreds of things that ‘must’ be done, demands that have to be met. Christmas would not be Christmas without [insert product here]. The Asda advert tells us the following: you have to buy loads of things, you have no time, but we at Asda out of the kindness of our hearts will make the insane stressful rush easier, so that on December 26th you can know that you did everything that had to be done.
Is it any wonder that many people dread Christmas. As a priest I spend all of December rushing round like a headless chicken helping people realise that none of that ‘Christmas’ stuff matters. My kids laugh at me because I always say I hate Christmas, they taunt me with things like a Santa suit in Home Bargains, then I have to say ‘Oh no, not Christmas’.
The truth is I love Christmas, the Christian version that is, but I do hate the secular one. Not just because it distracts from the real meaning of Christmas, but because it causes so much pain in so many lives. All that stress, worry and argument - over what?
Christmas really is an amplifier: if you are feeling good about your life then it makes you feel ten times better. But if you are feeling down, it makes it ten times worse. I spend most of December with the people feeling ten times worse. The adverts tell us you need all the family together. Well, what if there is a bereavement, illness or conflict in the family? Christmas adverts |
then expose all that pain. I’ve spent Boxing Day in hospital with my daughter and it was ten times worse because of when it was; many of us have spent that first Christmas without someone we love.
The truth is if we refocus our Christmas on Christ being born into our world then Christmas takes on a whole new meaning. The Christmas story is one of joy but also one of pain. Jesus is born not into a nice home, but a stable. God is born as a refugee in a strange town with the poorest of the poor. Let’s be honest, no matter how bad your Christmas is it can’t be worse than Jesus’ first one. If we stop focusing on fighting for Christmas puddings in Morrisons and remember the wonder of God being born in a stable, if we think about God loving us so much he chooses to be born into the chaos of our world, then we will see that God is there with us, in the joy and the pain. When we stop and think, the Christian message of Christmas is far more attractive than the mania of the Asda one. So let’s lead by example, let’s put aside the mania of doing 100,000 things before December 25th and focus on what it’s really about. Let’s make the effort to make time for Christ amid the mania of December.
Asda tell us behind every great Christmas is Mum. That is wrong. Behind every Christmas, the great ones and the difficult ones, is Christ and his mum too. |
What’s On at St James in December
Sunday 15th December service of 9 lessons and 9 carols in church at 4pm. A collection will be taken for the Blonde Angel Street Team who feed and clothe the homeless of Bristol.
Monday 16th December Carols on the Village Green round the Christmas Tree at 7pm. If the weather is inclement the venue will be The New Inn. 'Tis the season to be merry! |
Christmas is coming
But not just yet.
As churches we began to think about Christmas several months ago. The plans for where the services would be on which days and how we might promote what we are doing. Some in our churches have been working hard on plans for Christmas fayres.
We prepare early because we know that we also need to observe a good Advent. To many Advent just means a small piece of chocolate each day hidden behind a door in a picture. To others it is a time when we remember the roots of our faith in readiness for the arrival of the Christ child.
The Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, in whom so many modern religions take root, taking our faith back to those who first tried to understand and share a relationship directed by God.
The prophets of the Old Testament: men and women who acted as the messengers of God’s intention for the people. They would usually say things that people didn’t want to hear, especially those in positions of power and authority, their message often being that the people of God were to be an example to others, living according to the laws of the created universe.
John the Baptist: he came to prepare the people. John encouraged a time of self-reflection and an opportunity to be cleansed of sin, start again and turn to God. He is the last of the Old Testament style prophets. He knows that the Messiah is present in the world and will soon be evident to the people.
Mary, the Matriarch, the mother of Jesus: a young girl who was willing to risk all for the sake of us all. We should always be aware of Mary’s risk: Joseph could have had her stoned; and Mary’s suffering, not only at Christmas but at Easter too. |
Through Mary the incarnation takes place and the Christ is born into the world. She receives Christ into herself, bears him, nurtures and encourages.
God incarnate, the Christ child: born from Mary on the first Christmas. Yet he can be born in all this Christmas. For each Christmas we have an opportunity to meet with him afresh.
Will you be too busy this Advent and Christmas to see God’s good intention for us all?
Wishing you all a holy and blessed Advent and Christmas.
Dave |
How we Make Decisions
At Christmas time there is always the temptation to look back to a golden age when the shops didn’t start Christmas in August and children were happy with a small present. We all have memories of an imagined simpler time when everything was easier and happy. We do this in church as well, “I remember when ….”
The truth is there was no golden age, we all know this if we are honest. We can find this out by reading the letters of St Paul. We often glamourise the early church as a time when everyone was united and committed, a time before buildings and parish share payments. But if you read the letters a very different picture emerges. In his letter to the Corinthians St Paul speaks about unity as the body of Christ. He uses this image to show that everyone in church is of equal value and we should work together as a team.
Greek society had a very strict class structure just as many societies have today. St Paul, like Jesus before him, had a very different vision of how a church should work. A vision where each person had a role and each person had a voice. England over the years has had a class structure where some are seen as more worthy than others. This thinking has been mirrored in the church - perhaps this is just a human default. To make Jesus visible we must work against this human instinct of looking down on people, and work instead as the body of Christ.
Back in April we published a handbook for all PCC members showing the responsibilities of all the different committees. This sort of thing can seem very dry and boring, but it is vital to how we see ourselves as the family of God. This is the way we practically put the Body of Christ into action. It’s one thing to say we believe that everyone should be valued, it’s another thing to put this into practice. You can read the handbook on our website at: https://www.yateparish.org/parish-policies or get one from the parish office. It is a practical guide to how we will try and live like the Body of Christ as the Family of God.
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The handbook lays out four main things: how we handle the finances, what each committee of the PCC is responsible for, a code of conduct for our behaviour and how we make decisions.
This article is about decision-making, which is one of most important parts. At St Nix I have a catchphrase “Stop moaning and put it on the DCC agenda”. Sometimes people, myself included, complain because we don’t think we can change anything. This can be a very destructive mindset. For example, people complained about the carpet in St Nix. So we put it on the DCC agenda, the DCC decided to get it changed and now we have a new carpet. The DCC could have decided that we couldn’t afford it, they could have delayed the replacement, or left it as it was. The important thing was that the idea came from the people and the people’s representatives on the DCC made a decision. We decided together.
Similarly, some people have mentioned that now Covid is over they would like to share the peace again. This related to a spiritual matter, so the ministry team discussed it and came to a decision which you can read about in Joanne’s article in this magazine. Again, the important thing is that the idea came from the people, and the ministry team who have responsibility for making these decisions did so. There are plenty of examples of decisions being made in this way over the last year or so.
The whole Church of England is set up in this way. If you have an idea about anything to do with the church building or finances, then take it to the PCC or DCC for a decision. If you have an idea about something to do with services or spiritual matters then speak to the ministry team. You may have to wait a while for a decision and we might decide something you don’t like, but everyone has the right to a voice and I want people to use their voice in a positive way. That way we can feel and know that Yate Parish belongs to all of us, we together are the Body of Christ and for good or ill we work together. So take your ideas to the appropriate person. We might not act immediately and we might not do what you want, but you will be listened to and we will decide together as the Body of Christ. |
The Peace
¨ Is a time to get straight with God and other people before coming to communion.
¨ Please be sensitive to the mood of others (you may need to refrain from approaching someone who is clearly putting themselves right with God).
¨ You may share the peace with each other in various ways, but only share a hug if others will let you! Be sensitive. |
Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s Church
The festival started nine years ago with the aim of engaging with the wider community of Yate and beyond, helping to bring them the true meaning and message of Christmas.
Preparations continue apace for this year’s extravaganza which opens with the welcome return of Apollo Wind Band on Friday 29th November at 7pm. Tickets are available via Eventbrite or just come along and purchase on the night, adults’ tickets £7 including a glass of wine, children under 16 free.
Apollo are a wind band based in Yate, who rehearse every Tuesday evening. During the year the band has performed at several events including Chipping Sodbury Carnival, Frenchay Flower Show and the Spring Concert held here at St Mary’s Church.
The festival will be open from 10.30am - 3.30pm on Saturday 30th November and Saturday 7th December, so come along, bring family and friends to enjoy the wonderful display of
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individually-decorated Christmas trees, a warming hot drink and mince pie whilst listening to one of our entertainment acts which this year include:
Sat 30th Nov 11.00am ROKH Dance Academy 12.30pm Winterbourne Handbell Ringers 2.00pm Rock Choir
Sat 7th Dec 11.30am Tribal Fantasy 12.30pm Sodbury Vale Musical Comedy Group 1.30pm Community Choir
Daytime entry to our Festival is FREE. However, throughout the festival there will be an opportunity to donate towards our fundraising, both financially and by bringing much-needed items for Yate Foodbank to our collection point at St Mary’s (a list of the most needed items is displayed on the notice board in the porch).
Fundraising during the festival will be shared 50/50 between
* St Mary’s Church Refurbishment Projects – ensuring the church’s use for and by the wider community may continue for many years to come
* Yate Foodbank – ensuring their ongoing work in providing much needed day-to-day support for local individuals and families in times of financial crisis.
The festival has grown each year with individuals, organisations and local businesses participating in a Christmas celebration and community event whilst raising funds for local good causes. |
PROJECT PRAYERS December 2024
Thanks to all of you who have been following our Mothers’ Union Project Prayers over the last 2 years.
I hope that they have given you an understanding of the depth, the width and the height of the work of Mothers’ Union in this Diocese and the world.
All our activities are underpinned by prayer and the love of Christ, played out with practical action and application.
This is the last in the series as I now step down as MU President for Bristol. A healthy and strong Trustee Board will be carrying on our good work, led by a new President, Rev Sarah Wyman who is based in N. Wilts. We are supported by 2 new Chaplains: Revs Rachel and Paul Barrett, based at Bristol Cathedral.
However, we are in desperate need of a new Treasurer to take us forward into the next Triennium and to the advent of the new Charity, MU South West.
So my first heartfelt prayer for this month is that a person with the right skills may feel the Lord’s call and come forward to be our new Treasurer. Please get in touch to find out more: jacky.mubristoldiocese@gmail.com
We are delighted to be donating over 2,000 Bible Society Nativity books to children across the Diocese, reaching out with the true story of Christmas.
A Christmas Prayer
Loving Father, we pray for families around the world. We pray for all those for whom Christmas is a time of sadness, a time of missing loved ones, and for those for whom home is not a safe or happy place.
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Services throughout the Parish
Sunday 1st December 1st Sunday of Advent—Purple Jeremiah 33.14-16 1Thessalonians 3.9-end Luke 21.25-36
St Mary 8.15am Communion 10.30am All Age Service 6.30pm 630 Praise
St Nix 9.30am Communion
St James 11.00am Communion
St Peter 4.00pm Evening Worship (Book of Common Prayer)
Sunday 8th December 2nd Sunday of Advent—Purple Malachi 3.1-4 Philippians 1.3-11 Luke 3.1-6 St Mary 8.15am Communion 10.00am Communion 6.30pm 630 Praise
St Nix 10.00am Morning Worship
St James 10.00am Morning Worship
St Peter 4.00pm Communion (Book of Common Prayer)
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Sunday 15th December 3rd Sunday of Advent—Purple Zephaniah 3.14-end Philippians 4.4-7 Luke 3.7-18
St Mary 8.15am Communion 10.30am Morning Worship 6.30pm 630 Praise—Contemporary Carol Service St Nix 9.30am Communion St James 11.00am Communion St Peter 4.00pm Evening Worship (Book of Common Prayer)
Sunday 22nd December 4th Sunday of Advent—Purple Micah 5.2-5a Hebrews 10.5-10 Luke 1.39-45 [46-55]
St Mary 8.15am Communion 10.30am Communion 6.30pm 630 Praise St Nix 9.30am Morning Worship St James 11.00am Morning Worship St Peter 4.00pm Communion (Book of Common Prayer)
Sunday 29th December 1st Sunday of Christmas—White 1 Samuel 2.18-20, 26 Colossians 3.12-17 Luke 2.41-end
St Mary 6.30pm 630 Praise St James 11.00am Parish Communion
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Sunday 5th January 2nd Sunday of Christmas—Gold/White Isaiah 60.1-6 Ephesians 3.1-12 Matthew 2.1-12
St Mary 8.15am Communion 10.30am All Age Service 6.30pm 630 Praise
St Nix 9.30am Communion
St James 11.00am Communion
St Peter 4.00pm Evening Worship (Book of Common Prayer)
Sunday 12th January 1st Sunday of Epiphany—Gold/White Isaiah 43.1-7 Acts 8.14-17 Luke 3.15-17,21-22
St Mary 8.15am Communion 10.00am Communion 6.30pm 630 Praise
St Nix 10.00am Morning Worship
St James 10.00am Morning Worship
St Peter 4.00pm Communion (Book of Common Prayer)
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Sunday 19th January 2nd Sunday of Epiphany—White Isaiah 62.1-5 1 Corinthians 12.1-11 John 2.1-11
St Mary 8.15am Communion 10.30am Morning Worship 6.30pm 630 Praise
St Nix 9.30am Communion
St James 11.00am Communion
St Peter 4.00pm Evening Worship (Book of Common Prayer)
Sunday 26th January 3rd Sunday of Epiphany—White Nehemiah 8.1-3,5-6,8-10 1 Corinthians 12.12-31a Luke 4.14-21
St Mary 8.15am Communion 10.30am Communion 6.30pm 630 Praise
St Nix 9.30am Morning Worship
St James 11.00am Morning Worship
St Peter
4.00pm Communion (Book of Common Prayer)
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Readings for Morning and Evening Prayer The Tables below and opposite have the readings for Morning and evening prayer. The Facebook prayers will read the Old Testament in the morning but you can chose either reading for morning or evening. Prayerbooks are available from the Parish Office. |
ARUK Eco-Tips for December
Celebrate a Greener Christmas.
Find ways to make your Christmas festivities both a joyous celebration of Christ’s coming and environmentally conscious. Explore A Rocha UK’s twelve tips for a greener Christmas at |
Find out more
about The
Connection and Those Vicar Blokes on our website at yateparish,org
under the heading
Explore our Faith
A Weekly Group at St Nix Friday Re:fresh runs from 09:30 - 10:30 on a Friday during term-time held at St Nix.
A warm and welcoming group for adults and children (babies to school age) to spend time together chatting, playing, singing and pondering a spiritual thought of the day.
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Morning prayer in Yate Parish
Do you find prayer a little difficult? Would you like some inspiration? Go to the Yate Parish Facebook page to join in Morning Prayer led by our ministry team. You can watch live at 7.30am Monday to Saturday, or watch at any time later in the day. Many people have found it a great start to their day.
Weekly at St Mary’s
Thursday Communion at 10.00am
Compline @8pm
Before the lockdown happened, we had recorded the saying of Compline. We ask that each evening at 8pm we light a candle in our window and pray together for our nation using the words of the Compline service - it takes just over 5 minutes.
Visit the parish website and click on the recordings to listen; you will find the words of the service there too.
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