Parish of Bishopstoke

Dear Friends I had fun digging out some pictures of last year’s Messy Christmas for this month’s church magazine. Some may find them irreverent, but Christmas lends itself to fun and to being reinterpreted for each generation. Some of the details we assume are in the story of the Nativity aren’t actually in the Bible: the donkey, the innkeeper, the stable... and the Kings aren’t kings – they are Magi. Recent children’s nativities include all sorts of characters – such as al

The Christian people of the Holy Land have been under increasing economic and political pressure in the past seventy-five years, and during that time the Christian population there has fallen steadily. Friends of the Holy Land (FHL) was established in 2009 to help and encourage Christians to flourish in the land of their birth, to ensure a secure presence where Christianity began. Working closely with the churches here and in the Holy Land, their work is entirely non-politi

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.’ (Isaiah 9.2) Very soon, set against the black cloth of a winter sky, we will be treated to a kaleidoscope of magical light. Brightness upon flickering brightness. Kind people will ignore their electric meters and decorate their houses, their trees and their gardens for us all to delight in. They will buy illuminated reindeer, penguins, white-bearded men

Our Saturday morning cafés this year have raised a total of £2,800, mainly for the work of the church, including St Mary’s lighting. Thank you very much to everyone who has contributed cakes and raffle and tombola prizes, all those who have helped to make it run so smoothly and every who has supported it. In 2017 we will be holding 11 monthly cafes and the first one will be on 21 January from 10 am – 12.30 pm. Do come and join us!