Christmas across the Benefice
Christmas altar frontal
Christingle service
in aid of the Children’s Society will take place on Sunday 9th December at St Giles’, Horspath and Sunday 16th December at St Mary’s, Garsington. 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of this special event and with your support, vital funds raised will help children facing Christmas alone and unable to cope. What is a Christingle? Christingles are made from an orange decorated with red tape, sweets and a candle. Each element of a Christingle has a special meaning and helps to tell the Christian story. Come along and learn more about this beautiful symbol of hope and light.
Blessing of Horspath Village Christmas Tree
takes place this year on Sunday 9th December at 11.45 am immediately after the Christingle service. All are welcome to come and see the tree in position and the lights turned on at this gathering on the Village Green.
Carols on The Green.
On Thursday 13th December at 7 pm carol singing will take place on Horspath Village Green around the Christmas tree weather permitting, but if not it will be held inside St Giles’ church. All are welcome to come along to enjoy the singing with a cup of warm mulled wine or soft drink, mince pies and biscuits. Although no charge will be made all donations freely given on the evening will this year be sent to ‘Helen Douglas House’. Please come and enjoy this happy community event. If anyone would like to help by making some mince pies for the event, they will be very gratefully received. Please let Charles Gurden know before the event if you will be doing so on 01865 873284.
Christmas Family Workshop
St Mary’s Church and Garsington Primary School invite you to join them at a Christmas Family Workshop on Saturday 15th December 10 am – 12 noon at Garsington School. Come along for some family fun with games, carols and songs, crafts, stories, coffee and minced pies.
Christmas Carol Services
will be taking place at St Mary’s, Garsington on Sunday 16th December at 6 pm and at St Giles’, Horspath on Sunday 23rd December at 3 pm. Take a quiet moment out at this busy time of year to enjoy some carols and readings by candlelight. This is a lovely way to pause and appreciate the festive season in our beautiful village churches.
Family Time Xmas Special
Family Time services at St Giles’ and St Mary’s are an informal time to gather and chat, let children play and be part of the family of the church. The St Giles’ December gathering will be a Christmas Special on Sunday 16th December with Horspath Pre-School Nursery entertaining us with some Christmas carols and songs. St Mary’s December gathering will be combined with a Christingle service. All are very welcome at these services regardless of age.
Christmas Concert.
On Wednesday 19th December, 23 strong choir, ‘Musica Viva’ based in Wheatley will perform a ‘Christmas Bundle’ concert at St Giles’ Church, Horspath. Refreshments will be available from 7 pm before the concert starts at 7.30 pm. Tickets are £10 and are available in advance from Charles Gurden on 01865 873284.
Christmas Eve
Come and discover the Christmas story this Christmas Eve with a child friendly Crib Service at 4 pm at St Giles’, Horspath and All Saints’, Cuddesdon and 5.30 pm at St Mary’s, Garsington. Join us for some favourite Christmas carols and help us build our crib at these short, informal services for all the family. Our Christmas Eve worship will conclude with Midnight Mass at 11.30 pm in each church across the benefice where we welcome Christmas Day in and celebrate the birth of our saviour.
Breakfast Time at St Mary’s
Come and join us on the fourth Sunday for breakfast and discussion, starting at 9.30 a.m. with Coffee/Tea and Croissants followed by an informal discussion at 10 am. The following topics are:
27th January:
The gospel unmasks injustice (Luke 8:43-48)
Julian Meeting
The contemplative prayer meeting gathers every second Thursday of the month in the Edward King Chapel at Ripon College Cuddesdon. All are welcome to this time of reflection and silent prayer for 30 minutes. For more information please go to www.thejulianmeetings.net.
St Mary’s café every third Friday
On the third Friday of the month the back of St Mary’s church in Garsington is transformed into a café with tables and chairs, newspapers, coffee and cake. When the weather is good you can enjoy the view across to the Baldons and beyond with seating outside. Everyone is welcome to drop by between 10 am and 12 noon to catch up with friends and meet new ones.
Cuddesdon Coffee Morning every second Tuesday
This very successful coffee morning held in the village hall in Cuddesdon every second Tuesday of the month. With book shop, raffle, coffee and good company.
Forthcoming Services Across the Benefice
Services for Easter to All Saints 18