Christ ChurchGreen Lane

Stamford PE9 1HE

Vicar of Christ Church Rev. Nikki Bates 01780 766026

Church Wardens Dawn Field 01780 753645Brian Stephens 01780 480000

Operations Manager Martin Purnell 01780 766466Lay Readers Paul Darley 01780 759100

Martin Purnell 07799763771Authorised Lay Ministers

Jed BatesJulie Bates

01780 752290

PCC Secretary Lisa Garwood 01780 757877PCC Treasurer Pamela Cook 01780 751713Events Information & Publicity

Nigel Garwood 07921461683

Social & Events Ministry

Lesley Foulkes 07759166508

Prayer Network Lisa Garwood 07540405181Day Centre Catrina Batey 07949605217StartaFresh Geraldine

Crowley07950464093

Teenzone Ali Rigby 01780 766446 EX. 4Transport Scheme Ian Collis 01780 766446 EX. 5Tots n Toast Rev. Nikki Bates 01780 766026CAP Job Club Manager Linda DePellette 07774811793CAP Job Club Coach Lisa Garwood 07851944700Magazine Editor Linda DePellette 07715534731Admin Assistant  Lisa Garwood 01780 766446 EX. 1Friends of Christ Church

Rev. Jane Calderin

janecalderin@btinternet. com

Visit our website or church Notice Boards for details of events and much more. Chwww.christchurchstamford.com

@Christ Church-Stamford or Twitter @christchurchpe9

From the Vicars desk…..As we journey through the season of Advent towards Christmas lets take a few moments each day to reflect on the past year, and as Bishop Christopher suggests in his letter, “to see how far we have come”. As individuals in this year of discipleship, and as a church community in our faith and fellowship, as witnesses of the Good News in the wider community and our daily lives.

This has been a significant year in the life of our church and much has changed, you will have changed, because without change there is no growth, and we are seeing growth, but not only growth…fruit! It has been wonderful for me to watch and encourage many of you taking up new roles and initiatives, I have watched God’s hand at work growing you in faith and fellowship, growing together in the knowledge and love of our Lord Jesus, and watching the implications of that outworking in our daily lives.

I am delighted that the Diocese has provided us with a wonderful Advent resource for daily reflection, and as we run up to Christmas I really hope you will take time to prepare your hearts once again for the arrival of the Christ Child in the midst of us. May God bless you this Christmas time and always.

Rev. Nikki and Tony

Bishops Letter

Dear friends,

The end of another year is a good opportunity to see how far we’ve come. And it’s been quite a year, both in the Diocese of Lincoln, and in our national life. We’ve had a general election, we’ve had people coming and people going, both nationally and in the diocese. Some projects have been completed, and others have begun.December may bring us a reminder of how long our New Years’ resolutions have fallen by the wayside, and how much bigger the challenge is for the next year. For me, the big thing is that we’re heading in the direction I envisaged when I came to the diocese four years ago. We have resolved to build the kingdom of God in our part of England, and each year brings its new challenges to fulfil the work we’re called to do.

We live in a broken world, where society strives superficially for perfection. But at this time of year, we celebrate God being among us, born in danger and poverty. It wasn’t the perfect birth for a perfect God. It was a very real human experience, which serves to remind us that despite our imperfections and the challenges we face, we have a Gospel to proclaim.

The celebration of the birth of Christ is the chance to resolve to do the very best we can in the service of God. And while we can never be perfect, we have a perfect example in the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I wish you a very happy and peaceful Christmas.

+Christopher Lincoln:

Audrey KitsonMany of you will remember my mum, sadly she died on October 13th.

Through the Christ Church magazine, I would like to thank everyone who sent their kind words and prayers to my sisters and I. Also many thanks to Nikki for her help, guidance and prayers. The funeral service she conducted for us was lovely and just the relaxing time we had prayed for. Thankyou also to Gill and Jean for the flowers and to Julia for playing the organ. Well done everyone and thank you again.

Celia, Maria and Corinna

Bazaar and Grand DrawThe amount raised for the Bazaar & Grand Draw was £800.  Thank you to everyone who played a part in making this a success, from the ticket sellers, to the people manning the stalls and kitchen duties.  My biggest thanks is to the local businesses who donated prizes, Hindmarch & Co, Northfileds Garage, Britannia Fish & Chip shop, Sterling Road shops & our local shop across the road from church, Andy Stretton, Vicky & Co, & Edinburgh Woollen Mill. Thank you to all of you who also donated prizes.

Blessings

Dawn

Christmas FlowersIf anyone would like to make a donation towards the Christmas flowers please give you donation to Dawn by Sunday 13th December.

Thank you

.

Hi Everyone!

That wonderful time of year is upon us! Our last meeting will be on Friday 18th December for our end of term party We will be having our Christmas dinner on Monday the 14th December.

We visited Castor Church on Monday 23rd November, Chris Thorley was with us, he always makes these visits very interesting. We also have 2 Christmas trips, one to Waterside Garden Centre and one to Corby.

We wish everyone a Happy and Enjoyable Christmas, from everyone at Befrienders and hope you will come and join our Christmas services.

See you all in the New Year.

Geraldine (StartaFresh Coordinator), Ruthie and all at Befrienders

We are still short of drivers so if you can spare some time – it can be as much or as little as you like- please contact Ian on 01780 482380.

Well! Just cant believe we are in December. Who would believe so much can change in a couple of years.

A few years ago we were struggling at the Day Centre with all kinds of problems, but we were lucky at that time to have Cliff Harris, the last operations manager, and Catrina, come on board to try to help change things with a lot of love, care, patients and prayer. And thankfully the prayers were answered.

Just when we thought it could not get any better, along came Rev. Nikki and Tony Bates, certainly been a breath of fresh air. And then more changes as Cliff left us and the position of Operations manager went to Martin Purnell, who fits in like a pair of comfy slippers. The members love him.

We could not have done any of this without our loyal volunteers, so a great big thank you to each and every one of you for creating a fantastic, welcoming day centre.

Two new members joined us recently, so a big welcome to Win Mountain and Margaret Mee.

December 2nd Roger and Betty will be singing for us and playing the

organ for us.

December 16th Christmas Party time, and our last meet until Wednesday 6th January 2016.

We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

God Bless you all.

Catrina and Barbara

The Food Bank is still in need of various items. Please consider buying one or two extra items when you do your weekly shopping and drop them into the box at church. Some of the items currently needed are:

Tinned meats, sugar, long-life milk and shampoo.

Please look out for leaflets with updates of most needed foods which will be in the ‘food box’ at church.

Thank you

AndrewWoodhouse

Independent Family Funeral DirectorsSandon Barns Casterton Road, Stamford, Lincs PE9 4BP

01780 751719 email: woodhouse.andrew@sky.com

www.stamfordfunerals.com

Mondays 5pm – 7pm Activities in the basement

6.30pm – 7.30pm Sports at Welland Academy

Wednesdays 5pm – 7pm Activities in the basement

Thursdays 5pm – 7pm Activities in the basement

On Wednesday 25th November we celebrated the achievements of our Youth Leadership Scheme by presenting awards to the young leaders. What a special event, with quite a lot of emotion shown from different people in the room! A special thank you to Simone, Shannon and Laura for their hospitality. I think everyone came away more inspired by this incredible group of young people. We are SO proud.

Activities Leader of the Year…………………. Lewis Parkinson

Fundraising Award……………………………. Lewis Parkinson

Merit Award……………………………………. Joe Corby

Arts Award ……………………………………. Joe Corby

Sports Leader of the Year…………………… James

Christ Church Award……………………………Ben White

Special Recognition Award………………… Katie Warren

Holiday Programme Youth Leader ………….. Noah Allman

Youth Panel Award……………………………. Rosie-Jo Ellis

Special Mention Certificate ………………….. Jake Frampton-Harrison,

Nathan Naylor & Ellie Calver.

Youth Leader of the Year …………………… Katie Warren & Jack Jackson.

Tots and Toast

Hi Family!

We are having our Christmas party on our last day of term, which is Thursday 17th December, and Rev. Nikki is doing our own little Christingle service. We will also be having a special friend visit us!

We are all looking forward to Christmas, the birthday of Baby Jesus.

Much love to you all and see you in the New Year.

The Tots Gang.

Cat’s Tales! Hi Church Family

The weather has been somewhat disturbing! The wind does ruffle me fur a bit! Mummy Ruthie will see I’m well fed and will bring me a Christmas dinner. I’ve had fresh soft furnishings, thank you, and Tony is fixing the broken hinge on my box, he is so good at fixing things pppuuurrr.

Thank you very much for all those who have raised £65 so far for my medicines!! I know you love me, but thank you so much.

Have a lovely Christmas and see you all in the New Year.

 

Love and God Bless to you all

Take care of yourselves

Love M.D

Our second course has now drawn to an end, it’s been a time of great encouragement, our spirits are high and confidence levels have risen.

We welcomed our area manager Jo Hill on 17th November, our theme that day was good and bad interviews, the day was a great success, and a lot of fun.

We are excited to be attending a CAP client event being held at the URC hall on Saturday 5th December. Rod Williams, one of CAP’s main evangelists, who has a remarkable story of God’s saving grace in his life, is coming to share with us. God regularly uses Rod’s testimony to bring people to faith in Jesus. And he does magic as well!

We hope that all of our members will attend the event and have a great time. It will be a brilliant night.

Linda and Lisa

Coffee Mornings5th December and 6th February

10 – 12. With lovely cakes, coffee or tea, why not bring someone with you!

Services for December and January

Sunday 6 th December

10am Holy Communion

11.45 Sunday Crunch

6.30pm Holy Communion

Sunday 13 th December

10am Café style with doughnuts and coffee after the service

No Crunch

6pm Christingle

Wednesday 16 th December

11.15 Day Centre Communion

Sunday 20 th December

6.30pm Holy Communion

11.45 Sunday Crunch

6.30pm Carols by Candlelight with mulled wine and mince pies after the service

Christmas Eve

4pm Crib service with refreshments after the service

11.30pm Midnight Mass

Christmas Day

10am Family Communion

Sunday 27 th December

10am Morning Praise

No Crunch

6.30pm Evening Prayer

Sunday 3 rd January

10am Holy Communion

11.45 Sunday Crunch

6.30pm Holy Communion

Sunday 10 th January

10am Café service with doughnuts and coffee before the service

No Crunch

6.30pm Evening Prayer

Sunday 17 th January

10am Holy Communion

11.45 Sunday Crunch

6.30pm Evening Prayer

Sunday 24 th January

10am Morning Praise

11.45 Sunday Crunch

6.30pm Evening Prayer

Sunday 31 st January

10am Family Communion with lunch for all after the service

No evening Service.

Children’s work takes place every Sunday morning with crafts, activities and fun!

Weekly Activities through December/January Mondays 1.00pm - 3.00pm StartaFresh & Befrienders

5.00pm - 7.00pm Teenzone

7.45pm Home Group at Ruthie’s

Tuesdays 11.30am - 2.30pm Alpha Course at The Vicarage

10.00am - 2.00pm CAP Job Club

Wednesdays 10.00am - 2.30pm Day Centre

5.00pm - 7.00pm Teenzone

8.00pm - 10.00pm The Garwoods Home group

8.00pm -10.00pm The Nicholls Home group

Thursdays 1.00pm - 3.00pm StartaFresh & Befrienders

5.00pm - 7.00pm Teenzone

Fridays 1.00pm - 3.00pm StartaFresh & Befrienders

R.J.Scholes Peace of mind at a time of needTraditional and alternative style funerals and monumental services

24 HOUR SERVICE

St Georges Street, Stamford PE9 2BJ 4 Horsegate, Deeping St James PE6 8EN

(01780) 763092 (01778) 380659

Funeral Pre-payment Plans Available

The gift of faith comes from God,

Who saw our greatest needs,

This gift of God that He bequeathed,

Is given to those who believe.

Salvation comes from God alone,

Who sent His Son, our sin to atone.

To reveal God’s love to us,

He knew who would accept Him,

And in His word believe,

Then opened our heart to accept Him,

And the gift from God receive.

That all we are is what He has given,

To reserve a place for us in Heaven,

This precious gift, receive, proclaim,

As we obey his will, for all we are

Is because of Him.

Cathy Wootton

A Choral Celebration of Christmas

Glebe Singers, a community based choir

from Mark Deeping

Saturday December 5th at 4pm Christ Church,

Green Lane,

Stamford PE9 1HE

Ticket prices: All Adults £5, Children under 14 £1

Details can be found using the following links :-

Website : www.glebesingers.co.uk

Email : glebesingers@gmail.com

: www.facebook.com/GlebeSingers : @Glebe Singers

Tickets available from Ian Collis, Community Car Scheme Office

From your Magazine Editor

Hello everyone,

First could I remind you all that there will be no January magazine as we will be taking a well-deserved break for Christmas and the New Year.

I would also like to say thank you for your kind words of encouragement and support during my time as editor. Rev. Nikki and I have tweaked and refined the look of the magazine to represent the Church as it is today, and also to meet the needs of the future as our community grows. Please remember that if you have any thoughts or ideas about the look of the magazine then please let us know. If it works then your idea may be published!

Megan and I would like to take this time to wish you all a joyous Christmas and happy new year.

“A child will be born to us. A son will be given to us. He will rule over us. And he will be called Wonderful Advisor and Mighty God. He will also be called Father Who Lives Forever and Prince Who Brings Peace”.Isaiah 9:6.0

Could I ask that all information for the February magazine, be with me no later than Thursday 28th January please, to allow us time to edit before printing. Don’t forget you can email me at ldepellette@gmail.com.

Linda.general Please note: The weekly Sunday service notice sheet has the most up to date details, and there is usually a spare copy available in the lobby at church.

Christmas Card2015

Wishing everyone at Christ church a Happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year. From Gerard and Shirley Burke.

May I wish everyone at Christ Church a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year. From Jean Hoyles

Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year to everyone at Christ Church. God Bless you all. Love from David, Cicely, Joseph and Lucy.

I would like to thank everyone for making me feel so welcome at Christ Church, I finally feel I belong somewhere. God bless and Merry Christmas to you all. Love Helen and family.

To all our friends at Christ Church, love joy and happiness but above all peace this Christmas and throughout the year. Love and blessings Julie and Jed Bates

.

To all my friends at Christ Church, Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. God bless, Amy Munton

To all our friends at Christ Church, we wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas , and a prosperous New Year. God Bless with love from Daphne and Peter Wise.

Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year to you all. Best wishes Gill and Phil Stafford.

Wishing all friends at Christ Church a Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year. Kath Heydendale.

To all my Christ Church family, a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. God Bless, Barbara Morley

Happy Christmas and may God bless you and your family this Christmas time. Gail.

Wishing everyone at Christ Church a very Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year. Love Jean Healey.

Wishing everyone at Christ Church a Happy Christmas and a peaceful and healthy new year. With every blessing Denise Collins.

Merry Christmas to all, may God Bless us all. Kath Egan.

Wishing you all a peaceful and blessed Christmas, and a faithful, confident and joyful New Year. From Nigel, Lisa, Megan and Lara Garwood

Wishing all our friends at Christ Church, peace and joy this Christmas and our best wishes for 2016. Chris and Claire Thorley.

To all at Christ church, Happy Christmas and may 2016 be a happy peaceful time. Love Marian and Roy

To all at Christ Church, may you have a joyous Christmas and a peaceful New Year. Every blessing Jon and Pamela Cook.