PICKERING PARISH CHURCH

Dear Friends,

          Last time I wrote I was looking ahead to the Flower Festival. Since then it has happened, and wow! what an event it was! We had terrific coverage by Look North, many radio stations near and far, and all local newspapers. We will never know how many thousands of people queued up to get into Pickering Church to see The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, but we raised over £19,000 and, after expenses, £13,000 will go some way towards our hope to install a new lighting scheme that will more sensitively illuminate the medieval wall paintings and better light the church for the many services, concerts and events held here. Thank you to all who contributed in so many different ways.

          Now we come to December, and the Church’s Season of Advent as we build up to Christmas which, at the parish church, seems busier than ever. So a list of dates, each one saying something of the joy of the birth of Jesus, Child of the Stable, Son of God.

          On Friday 2nd December at 7.30pm, At Christmas be Merry! York Waits – York’s Tudor town band – and singer Deborah Catterall return with a lively programme of English medieval and Tudor music. Carols accompanied on period instruments, it engagingly evokes the Christmas of a bygone age. A most thrilling start to Christmas.

          An annual service that has become so important for so many people in Pickering is A Light for Christmas, when the lights on the large Christmas Tree in church are switched on, each of the thousands of sparkling, twinkling lights given in thanksgiving of a life. It’s an immensely moving, yet joyous occasion, and the lights remain there until Epiphany. As always the church is open during daylight so that you can find the name of a loved one in the Book of Blessings, placed reverently by the Tree.

          Stape Silver Band make their welcome return on Sunday 11th December at 2pm. The band have been raising money for Yorkshire Cancer for over 45 years, and it’s always one of our most popular concerts.

The Parish Church holds its Service of Lessons and Carols for Christmas later that day, at 6pm on Sunday 11th December. It’s a traditional service so come, sing and rejoice!

          The ever-popular Town Carol Service at which all four schools in Pickering are represented, and many organisations which contribute towards the life of this town, too, is on Wednesday 14th December at 6.30pm.

          Need a break from all the shopping? Then come along to Christmas Coffee in church on Monday 19th December, 10-12noon. Coffee and mince pies are served: welcome refreshment and good company in this last week before Christmas.

          So to the greatest event of them all, as we look forward to the Birth of Jesus. On Saturday 24th December, Christmas Eve, there is the wonderful celebration with juicy oranges and scrumptious sweets and flickering candles and the building of the stable as we prepare for the birth of Baby Jesus. The Christingle Service starts at 3pm.

          At 11.30pm on Christmas Eve, Midnight Mass: the very heart of all our Christmas Celebrations when bells ring out and, in a church lit only by candles and accompanied by beautiful traditional Christmas carols, Baby Jesus is placed in the Manger.

          On Sunday 25th December, Christmas Day, we start with a service of Holy Communion at 8am, and then at 10am it’s Family Communion, when children (and adults if you wish) are invited to bring along a toy to show us, as we continue to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

          Into a New Year and, Sunday 8th  January, 2012, we celebrate the Wise Men visiting Jesus, bringing with them precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. This all happens at a special Family Communion service at 10am. Children: come dressed as Kings so that you can take part in the procession.

          Usual Sunday services: 8am Holy Communion; 10am Parish Eucharist; 6pm Evensong. But more details of everything that’s happening in Pickering Parish Church – your parish church – on the website, www.pickeringchurch.com .

          I wish you all a very Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Fr Antony Pritchett, Parish Priest

Email: vicar@pickeringchurch.com