Advent and Christmas
Services online
A new Sunday service is uploaded to our video page and YouTube channel each week, with some special advent and Christmas services this month:
On Sunday 6 December our online service will be a christingle service for all ages.
On Sunday 13 December we will have another communion service.
On Sunday 20 December we shall be putting out a carol service.
On Sunday 25 December, we will have a short and joyful service for Christmas Day,
and then we will take a bit of a rest until the new year.
Christmas services in our church buildings
As for Christmas services held in our church buildings, we are aware that things might change at any time. However, this is what we are planning:
Holy Trinity, Stockton
Sunday 20 December - two carol services, at 4pm and 6pm
Christmas Day, Friday 25 December - communion service at 10.30am.
St Nicholas, Dunnington
Christmas Eve, Thursday 24 December - 7pm communion service
Christmas Day, Friday 25 December - two communion services, at 9.30am and 10.30am
We are not currently anticipating there being services in Holtby or Warthill over Christmas, but in Holtby this could change.
Singing, unfortunately, is not permitted, and the services will be shorter than usual in order to reduce risk. The outside doors will also be left wide open to increase ventilation, so come prepared. Finally, because we have to manage numbers (we are limited to 40 people in Stockton and 30 in Dunnington), we are asking people to book themselves in ahead of time to avoid disappointment. You can reserve your place by ringing Revd Nick Bird - 489349, or emailing him - revnickbird@gmail.com.
For changes nearer the time, you are best checking the St. Nicholas Church Dunnington website news pages.
Family Nativity Trail
There will be a Nativity Trail to follow in each village from Wednesday 2 December!
Download the Nativity Trail poster below for details, and keep an eye on our news page for the trail maps.
2 December Update - Nativity Trail maps now available.
Christingle and Children’s Society
There will be an on-line Christingle Service this year on Sunday 6th December. If you are on the Church mailing list you will receive instructions on how to make a Christingle, or you can have a candle ready to light. (If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please email Revd Nick Bird).
The Children’s Society last year received £1.2 million from Christingle services. If you can support the Society’s work with vulnerable children please do so via a our Christingle fundraising page, or you can leave a donation at The Rectory in Dunnington or with Ennis Tweddle in Stockton in a marked envelope. Thank you!
Delivering Christmas Cards and The Grapevine
We are producing a Christmas Card from the churches as usual. We are also relaunching the printed version of The Grapevine with a special combined Christmas 2020 & January 2021 issue which we will provide free to every household in the four villages.
If you are able to deliver a street of cards and Grapevines in any of the villages from Thursday 17th December that will be very helpful, thank you. The ones for Dunnington will be in Church ready for collection from 9.30 to 12.00 on Thursday 17th December.
Dunnington Methodist Church
As this piece is written, we are uncertain as to how we will be able to celebrate Christmas this year as a congregation or as individuals, but there is one thing for certain, CHRISTMAS WILL COME! even if, to quote The Grinch who Stole Christmas, “it came without ribbons, it came without tags, it came without packages boxes and bags”, because, as the Grinch discovered, Christmas doesn’t come from a store! So whether the shops are open or shut, whether the Church buildings are open or shut, Christmas is coming to a Circuit near you!
Keep in contact with the Circuit website which will be kept up to date with services as much as possible, and to the Circuit's YouTube channel where Circuit worship will be hosted. You can also follow the Circuit on facebook.
Paper copies will be delivered to those of you who would like them. So do not hesitate to contact Anne 01904 481656 or Diane 01904 489495. Because Christmas really does mean “A LITTLE BIT MORE”
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.
Women’s Refuge
Every year, we at St Nicholas Church, collect toys and toiletries to go to IDAS to support women and children affected by domestic violence. This year it has been suggested that we collect gift tokens for places like Tesco and Asda so the ‘ladies’ can get the gifts they need. If you can support this appeal please let Judith Hewitt, 7 Water Lane, Dunnington, have your gift tokens or cash (she will go and purchase tokens on your behalf) by December 12th.
Foil for SNAPPY
Please save any aluminium foil, drinks cans, household cables and broken Christmas tree lights. These can be donated to raise money for The SNAPPY Trust, a local charity empowering children and young people with disabilities. Details of how to donate your items will be in the next issue.
