December and January Services

Will there be Zoom at the Inn?

No-one knows how things will be by Christmas or January and it may be feasible to hold church activities online – but what if there’s so much demand that the technology can’t cope and there’s no Zoom anywhere, never mind room at the Inn? It’s a strange time for us all – and so it was the first Christmas. “Glory to God in the highest” was the song of the angels – but it was heard by the lowest, shepherds who were isolated. Christmas is a time of hope – but the first involved huge loss of life when so many children were killed. This year, if families can gather, many will be mourning the loss or absence of their loved ones due to Covid-19. Carol singing won’t be possible in church so We three Kings of Orient aren’t – how can there be hope in these circumstances?

It’s because, at the birth of Jesus, the divine comes to us without any social distancing. Born as a helpless baby needing care, Jesus was put into human hands – just as we sometimes have to put ourselves or loved ones into the hands of the NHS or other key workers, giving or receiving a helping hand ourselves at times too. That first Christmas, unexpected things were happening as a new way of living began while people were perplexed, isolated and sad. So it is today and, still, there can be hope. If we look for it!

May Advent bring hope, Christmas its blessings and 2021 a fresh start for us all,

Pob bendith, Christine, Jampa and all at St Melangell’s.

 

December and January Services

Thurs. Dec. 2nd, 11am: Online Advent group – the unexpected event

Second Sunday of Advent, 6th, 3pm: Online Service of reflection – unexpected news
Thurs. 10th, 11am: Online Advent group – the unexpected visitor

Third Sun. of Advent, 13th, 3pm: Church Service of reflection – the unexpected child 

Thurs. 17th, 11am: Online Advent group – the unexpected town

 

Fourth Sun. of Advent, 20th, 3pm: Christmas readings and music – unexpectedly!

Christmas Eve, 24th, 3pm: Crib Service – If you’d like to come as a character or animal in the Nativity story, please do – bringing a torch with you!

Christmas Day, 25th, 9.15am: Christ Mass

First Sunday of Christmas, 27th, 3pm: Online service – can New Year be a fresh start?

Second Sunday of Christmas, 3rd January, 3pm: Online service – Jesus the refugee

Wednesday 6th, 11am: The Epiphany – Church service

The Baptism of Christ, 1Oth, 3pm: Church service and renewal of baptismal vows
Thursday 14th, 11am: Online discussion group – Name and identity

Second Sunday of Epiphany, 17th, 3pm: Christian Unity – online service

Thursday 21st, 11am: Week of prayers for Christian Unity – online discussion group

Third Sunday of Epiphany, 24th: Online service – Do miracles still happen?

Wednesday 27th, 11am: Holocaust Memorial Day – online discussion group

 

Fourth Sunday of Epiphany, 31st, 3pm: Church Service marking Candlemas

These services are provisional and will be held according to the relevant Government and Church in Wales guidance at the time. For confirmation, please ring 01691 860408, check at stmelangell.org or contact guardian@stmelangell.org 

 

Thank you – diolch!