Methodist Circuit News
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Comfort and Joy
The Church of England's 2020 Christmas campaign
www.churchofengland.org/comfortandjoy
Comfort and Joy holds together the hope that Christmas will bring joy and celebration after a uniquely difficult year with an acknowledgement that – for those who have lost loved ones or livelihoods, or who are potentially still not able to be together with loved ones – it may be the Church’s role, both nationally and locally, to provide consolation, rather than assume everyone will be ready to join in jubilation.
This Christmas the Church will need, in the words of St Paul in Romans 12.15, to ‘Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep’. We will aim to celebrate where we can together in one place – but also embrace a wider community that wants to join in the celebration but may not be physically able – or emotionally ready – to do so. We hope that Comfort and Joy will enable us to build a campaign that both enables us to reconnect with the rich and joyous traditions of the past and to offer God’s consoling love in the present.
What are the key elements of Comfort and Joy?
As in previous years, the national Church will make a range of digital and print content available, branded with the Comfort and Joy theme:
Reflections There will be weekly reflections published on social media and available by email and app for each Sunday of Advent. They will also be made available freely via audio, smart speaker, as well as via app and email formats with accompanying prayer activities for children and families.
Online services and events Nine online services throughout Advent and Christmas, including an online service for each Sunday of Advent, a Christingle with the Children's Society, nine lessons and carols and midnight services.
Printed materials Bookmarks, Christmas cards, banners, flyers, posters, booklets and other printed items are available for churches to purchase, as in previous years. Pre-printed materials are available (along with copies of the Reflections booklet) to order via Church House Publishing.
A Church Near You Churches are encouraged to list the full range of church building (where permissible) and online services taking place. This year, AChurchNearYou.com has already received 50 million page views, and 80 per cent of visitors were on the site for the first time. Add your church's services and events today. A Church Near You editors can also access the Resource Hub, which will provide a range of free resources, such as customisable videos, images, social media graphics and approaches to online giving. Downloadable hymns are also available on the Hub for all Church of England churches to use for free.
Daily Hope Daily Hope is a free phone number (0800 804 8044) offering music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end of a telephone line.
A Poem
After reading Judith Hewitt's reflection on a dandelion in the church newsletter on 25 October, I am sharing the following poem. It is from 'Flight' - a book of poems by Beverley Kira-Grace, illustrated by myself, Francine Cross.
Yielding
I pulled
It did not move.
I pulled again and pulled once more
It did not yield.
It had burrowed deep
I stood.
Regained strengh
And pulled with all I had
It was entrenched
I knelt
Loosening and softening
Loosening and softening
It yielded
A long carrot like root
Such are the roots compacted in the soil of mind
Only love's gentleness
Yields space for change
I actually like
Dandelions!
It is difficult to remove the dandelions from the ground as is difficult to remove bad feelings which are inside us. It is often a struggle, and we need help, strengh, and perseverance. Finally the dandelion yields. With the help of God, his love gentleness and patience, We shall enter the KINGDOM OF GOD.
'Flight' is available for a donation to St Nicholas Church. Contact me on 0784 968108
Francine Cross