Christmas coming, life and death goes on

If you've come here looking for the Christmas services, fantastic: we're looking forward to seeing you!
We kick off on:
Sunday 23rd December at 4pm with our Carol Service. This is candle-lit and full of readings and carols that express the Christmas story. Mince pies afterwards.
Then
Christmas Eve (Monday): 4pm Crib and Christingle Service. This is when we create a Nativity play from scratch. An ideal service for children of all ages. Come dressed as an angel, wise man, shepherd or just as you are! Come early to get a seat. And look out for our live donkey.
Christmas Eve (Monday) 11.30pm Midnight Mass We'll be singing carols from 11pm but the service starts at 11.30pm. Dignified, amazing, beautiful. Come even if you've had two or three pints before hand, though if you've had eight or nine, then perhaps you'd be best just going home direct from the pub.
Christmas Day (Tuesday) 10am. Family eucharist. Bring your toys or that jumper from auntie Flo.
St Stephen's Day (Boxing Day) 10am. Quiet eucharist. Escape from your beloved family for a therapeutic 45 minutes.

In the meantime, of course, life goes on, as does death. On Wednesday, we held the funeral for a loved member of our congregation, Mabel Shilcock, in church. At the age of 98, she was born in her house in Trilby Road in 1909, and she died there earlier this month. In all that time, she had been a wonderful neighbour to generations of people. Several people paid her tribute at the funeral, including a neighbour who lived opposite. A much younger woman, this neighbour described how she was occasionally apt to moan about what had befallen her, but then she would look out of her window to see Mabel, slowly but surely making her way down the road to take the bus to Catford (whatever the weather), uncomplaining about her old age, and she was inspired to think afresh.
The funeral was a beautiful occasion. A memorial to a woman who inspired others and brought love and a smile into the world.
May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

Come in at Christmas

Just up front so we're clear. Here are our Christmas services.

Sunday 23rd December 4pm CAROL SERVICE (candle lit, traditional, beautiful, mince pies afterwards)

Christmas Eve (Mon) 24th December 4pm CRIB and CHRISTINGLE SERVICE (for kids of all ages, Nativity story, a live donkey, a cracker to take home - come dressed as an angel, wise man or shepherd, or just as you are!)

Christmas Eve (Mon) 24th December 11.30pm MIDNIGHT MASS (beautiful, magical, worth staying up for)

Christmas DAY (Tues) 25th December 10am FAMILY EUCHARIST (bring your presents in to show off, or just bring yourself.)

Now obviously we're running services in the run up to this on Sundays at 10am, as ever. The theme of this season is Advent, that is, watching and waiting for the coming of Jesus. There are some really meaty topics, like thinking about John the Baptist and what a Prophet might be.
Just who was John the Baptist? Come this Sunday to find out.

And there are other affairs. Thanks to everyone who came to the Christmas Fayre: hope you enjoyed yourself. We certainly did and made almost £3000 for church funds.
Also, those who came to hear the fabulous Lewisham Concert Band kick us into the Christmas season with a combination of classical and light music together with a cracking accompaniment to some carols.

So remember, get your Christmas shopping done now, so when Christmas Eve comes, you can be in the warmth with us, not traipsing around Bromley looking for what to get for your nephew!

Fr Robert

Christmas services

On the left are Daniel and Kate who got married a couple of weeks ago, and are graduates of the new Marriage Preparation Course. They are just back from their honeymoon.
To be honest, I am just excited about working out how to insert photographs into this blog, and their photo was what came to hand. Cool, though.
A bit of a digression.
How about a bit more on Christmas services?
Well, if you like Carols, then the service to look out for is our fabulous Carol service on Sunday 23rd December at 4pm.
Then, if you like candles and the Nativity story told in a way that inspires children of all ages, come along to our Crib and Christingle service on Christmas Eve at 4pm. There will be a live donkey, and everyone goes home with a cracker. Come dressed as an angel, a shepherd, a wise man, or just as you are.
If you want Christmas in more majestic beauty, why not come for the excitement of Midnight Mass. Despite the name, come on Christmas Eve ready for the service to start at 11.30pm. It's utterly magical (in the best sense).
Then, there's a family service on Christmas morning at 10am. Bring along your new toy: or failing that, your new jumper from Auntie Flo.
Finally, if you've had it up to here with everything and everyone (which can happen to the best of us), relax with a quiet said Eucharist on Boxing Day (St Stephen's Day). St Stephen is the first Christian martyr and actually quite significant, so it's unfortunate that his name day is associated with Ben Hur, turkey sandwiches and too much port, but this gentle service can offer you a little gentle therapy in remembrance of a guy who cared deeply about God's life changing love.
Fr Robert