Deanery News December 2019 Your Bi-monthly Newsletter Dear Everyone, First of all a big thank you to Debbie for doing so much of the organisation of our Deanery Day. If you weren’t able to go you missed a treat. The speakers were excellent and I am sure everyone left with something to think about and also hopefully something to act upon. Certainly the discussion about prayer was an eye-opener for me, traditionalist as I am. Christmas Tree Festivals feature greatly in the events to look forward to during December. They are a wonderful way to welcome the season and encourage everyone to come and visit their church. Decreasing congregations are a worry to many of our churches but we at St George’s here in Ticknall have welcomed many people who have never set foot in the church before. They may not come to the services very often but at least they know we are here and happy to have them. The vacancy created by Graham’s departure for Liverpool has not been filled. Discussions and plans are afoot and we look forward to what Bishop Libby has in store for us. Meanwhile we will carry on to ensure that the deanery’s work continues apace. A very Happy Christmas. We all know how hard everyone works at this time of the year to make this a very special festival full of loving kindness. We pray for all those we know and for all those less fortunate than us, whether they are living on the streets, in asylum centres, or refugee camps. If you would like to include your news in our next Deanery Newsletter, please contact Debbie. You can also subscribe (or unsubscribe) to the newsletter by emailing: [email protected] St Bartholomew, Elvaston Over 20 of us enjoyed another wonderful patronal festival at St Bartholomew, Elvaston on 23rd August. Canon Richard Andrews was our guest preacher and there was a great buffet. The church was open for the whole weekend. All Saints, Aston on Trent Over 60 people joined the Archdeacon of Chesterfield, the Venerable Carol Coslett in celebrating Aston on Trent's Patronal Festival at All Saints tide. Our local MP Heather Wheeler read the first lesson. a topical sermon on the recently canonised Cardinal Newman with good hymns and Sherry afterwards ! pictured are clergy churchwardens and organist St Peter’s say goodbye to the Rutters It was one of those sad-happy days. Sad because the man whom we believed God had sent to us was leaving but happy that he was moving on to the step of his journey of faithful service of the Father he loves. Graham is a wonderful teacher and he will be using that gift as he serves the Lord as lecturer at St Miletus’ College in Liverpool. He joined St Peter’s after a period of substantial turmoil in the church when over half of the congregation had left. We were disillusioned, hurt and unsure of the future. Through a gentle and determined approach, rooted in a deep love for the Father and for the congregation to which he had been called, Graham taught, nurtured, strengthened and built up the congregation and restored confidence and trust. He taught us much about taking risks without the fear of failure, having a go at new ways of worship and trying different ways of reaching out to the community. At his final service he reminded us to remain faithful in our love and service of Him who loves us. As individuals and a church we have been blessed by his ministry and wisdom. Graham, Rachel and Eliora have been very much part of the family that is St Peter’s and they will be missed tremendously. It with great joy and deep thanks that we think of them and their time with us. We pray that the Lord will continue to lavish His blessings upon them and that wherever they are they might know the fulness of life promised by our wonderful Saviour. Remembrance at St marks, Winshill The local schools came to church in the previous week to honour the dead in their own way. Winshill Village School made this beautiful cross which they kindly left for our Remembrance Service. The cubs and beavers and scouts processed in with their flags to be placed by the altar. WW2 memorial A selection of the names on the memorials were read out. Various wreaths were then laid The wreaths in the middle and on the right were made by the Scouts present. The last post was sounded, the two minutes silence was observed followed by reveille. Many of the men honoured were from the North Staffs Regiment. “We will remember them” St Mary’s, Weston on Trent 10th annual Christmas Tree Festival on 14 & 15 December 2019 from midday till 4pm both days. Come along and view an array of trees traditional, modern. What will be the new addition to the car part nativity? Tea, coffee, home made cake what more could you wish. To get you in the festive mood why not attend the Candle lit Carol service on the 15th at 5pm. Christmas at St Peter’s, Hartshorne Saturday 7th December 10am-12pm Messy Christmas Sunday 8th December 10:45 Gift Service to support Swadlincote Food Bank Monday 12th December 12noon Senior Citizens Lunch Saturday 21st December 10am Nativity Festival Sunday 22nd December 4pm Carol Service Tuesday 24th December Christmas Eve 3pm Nativity Festival 4pm Crib Service 11.30pm Holy Communion Wednesday 25th December 10am Short Family Service for Christmas Day Gresley, Christmas Fare Christmas Fayre • Saturday, 7th December 2019 • 10am – 2pm • Gresley Church Community Centre • Stalls and refreshments • All welcome Organised by the LifeonDemand missional community – part of Gresley Church Christmas at Gresley Church and Swadlincote Minster Sunday 1 December – Advent Sunday 10am The Pingle Academy All Together Worship and Christingle Service 6pm St. Peter’s Hartshorne Minster Café Church Sunday 8 December, 2-4pm, JOY All-Stars Carol singing Unity Close, Church Gresley Saturday 14 December, 4pm-6pm Minster Messy Church Gresley Church Community Centre Saturday 21 December, 10am-12noon Churches Together in Swadlincote Carols in the Delph with Gresley Colliery Brass Band Sunday 22 December, 10am, The Pingle Academy Interactive Nativity and Carol Service Tuesday 24 December, 11.30pm, Oaklands Village, Swadlincote, Carols and Communion Christmas Day, 10am, Gresley Church Community Centre, Outdoor Carols and Communion Café Church at St Peter’s, Hartshorne Come along to enjoy lively music, lots of cake and chat St Peter’s Church, Church Street, Hartshorne, DE11 7ER Café Opens: 5.30pm Live Music: 6.00pm Rt Rev Jan McFarlane Bishop of Repton All Saints, Aston on Trent Advent Sunday 1st December - 10.30 am - Toy Service Wednesday 4th December - 6.00 pm - Christingle Service Thursday 12th December - 7.30 pm - Derwent Singers Carol Concert in aid of Treetops Hospice Sunday 15th December - Advent 3 - 10.30 am Jesse Tree Family Service Monday 23rd December - 6.00 pm Carol Singing at the Village Christmas Tree Monday 23rd December - 6.30 pm Carols around the Village with the Newhall Band Christmas Eve - 4.00 pm - Crib Service for all the family 6.30 pm - Carols by Candlelight 11.30 pm - Midnight Mass Christmas Day - 10.30 am - Family Communion Sunday 29th December - Christmas - 10.30 am - United Benefice Service at All Saints’, Aston on Trent St Georges, Ticknall Christmas Tree Festival December 7th and 8th 10.30am - 4.30pm Home made cakes, soup and bread rolls will be served. And Mini Christmas Fair selling Christmas wreaths, preserves, cakes, tombola and raffle and more. Emmanuel, Swadlincote Sunday 1st December: Gift Service 10am Sunday 8th December: Senior Friends’ Tea 4pm Saturday 14th December: Messy Church at Church Gresley School Room Sunday 15th December: Nativity (10am) Wednesday 18th December: Eureka School in church Thursday 19th December: Little Church (am), Chucklebunnies (pm) Sunday 22nd December: Carols by Candlelight (7pm) Monday 23rd December: Christingle (4pm) Tuesday 24th December Christingle (4pm), Carol Service (7pm), Communion (11.30pm) Christmas Day Communion (10am) Christmas at Repton, Newton Solney and Foremark Sunday December 1st 6.30pm Repton Advent Service of Light The weekend of December 7th and 8th Repton Christmas Tree Festival with Concert - details on Facebook Sunday December 8th 10.00am Newton Solney Christingle Friday December 13th Repton Chruch Carol Concert supporting Rainbows details on facebook Sunday December 15th 9.45am Repton Gift Service - donations to Homestart 4.00pm Newton Solney Carols by Candlelight 4.00pm Repton Messy Christingle Sunday December 22nd 2.30pm Repton Concert in Repton Church - SDDC Youth Choir + others 6.30pm Repton Nine Lessons and Carols Christmas Eve 4.00pm Repton Crib Service 11.30pm At both Newton Solney and Repton - Midnight Eucharist Christmas Day 8.00am Repton Holy Communion 9.00am Foremark Holy Communion 10.30am Newton Solney Communion and Carols 10.30am Repton Family Carol Service at 1.00pm Repton Church Christmas Lunch [pre-booked] for people/couples who would appreciate a bit of company [contact Revd. Martin Flowerdew if you would like to book] Sunday 29th Repton Benefice Communion and Carols Tuesday December 31st 11.30pm Repton Church Watchnight Service to see in the New Year St Wystans, Repton Christmas Tree Festival Saturday 7th - 11.00 am to 5.00 pm Sunday 8th - 1.00 pm, to 5.00 pm Admission is £2, children free. There will be refreshments, crafts, produce and Christmas music. Proceeds will be shared between the church and the Village Hall. A Festive Concert by Beatus 7th December at 7.30 pm Beatus will be conducted by James Foulds Tickets are £10 to include mulled wine and mince pies.