St James The Great
Old Milverton, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Light a Candle Evening
On Sunday 22nd December the church will be open between 4.30 and 7.30pm for anyone who would like to come and light a candle in memory of a loved one and to have some quiet time before the hustle and bustle of Christmas takes over.
We are continuing to collect items for both the Foodbank and for Ukraine. Boxes for donations are at the back of church.
Christmas Shopping
Still looking for ideas? Don’t forget that we have a selection of St James’ gifts that make great stocking fillers:
Tea towels
Jot-a-notes
Note Cards
All available at the back of church
Churchyard Decorations and a Prayer Station for December
Thank you to the wonderful folk who make our churchyard look so festive and welcoming each year. Along with the decorations, you will find a Prayer Station, inviting you to think about the promises in the Christmas message: this is not just for those folk who walk through our churchyard during the week, so please do feel able to go and hang a star on a tree.
New Year’s Resolutions
When you start thinking about what you might like to do in 2025, would you please consider whether there is something more you might like to be involved with at St James? We are always looking to involve more people in every aspect of our church life so if there something you would like to know more about, however big or small, please speak to Jane, Michael or Sue.
Prayer Matters
The Intercessions Workshop will take place on Saturday 25th January at 10.30 in church. This will be a refresher for those of you who already do this and an opportunity for others to come along and see what’s involved. Speak to Sue if you think you might like to join the team or come along to the workshop and find out what’s involved.
We also have an email Prayer Team: this is a group of church members to whom Sue sends an email most months with any prayer requests that we have received. Each person then includes those requests in their own prayers. If you would like to join in with this very important part of our church life, speak to Sue. Or, if you have someone you would like us to pray for, let Sue know.
Make a new year’s resolution to come and join us for Coffee & Chat in 2025: all in the Parish Room on a Wednesday morning between 10.30am and 12.00noon.
This year’s dates are: 19th February 23rd April 28th May 30th July 27th August 29th October
Thought for the month: The hope that Advent promises us
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Have you made your list of new year resolutions? As I think about mine, I realise that, in essence they are the same as last year’s – and the year before that – and in truth, pretty similar in their content each and every year.
I find myself working at trying to improve the same things every time: getting fitter, spending more time with God, managing a sensible work/life balance – all the things, in fact that most of you know I rarely manage! There isn’t really anything ‘new’ on my list – that activity I have never tried; that place I have never visited; that skill I have never mastered.
We can easily fall into the trap of thinking that God also uses the same list year after year, that he will also do things the way they have always been done. But the inspiring chapters at the end of the book of Revelation reminds us that God is in the business of ‘newness’: new heaven, new earth, new Jerusalem, new me, new you.
Behold I make all things new (Revelation 21.5)
Why does that surprise us? After all, God is always encouraging us to dare, to think outside the box, to do something, everything new! And God wants us to be open to the new thing offered to us; to that new person who will enhance our life; to that new challenge which will make us grow; to that new opportunity that we will have to serve him.
Let’s put aside the old, repeating lists and simply be open to any new possibility that God might decide to send our way this coming year. In your prayers over the coming weeks, invite him to share his plans with you and be open to his calling.
With my love and prayers to you all for both a joyous Christmas and a new year filled with hope,
Sue.
Father in heaven,
after the rush and pause of Advent,
after the whirl and joy of Christmas,
in the quiet dark tiredness of midwinter,
help me to release my resolutions into your hands.
Teach me to lean not on my own understanding,
to rely not on my own strength and will,
but on your grace, your peace, your love.
Help me to allow myself to be re-made by you,
by the power of the Spirit,
in the likeness of your Son,
for your glory, Father God.
Evelyn Sweerts From ‘Winter’ ed. Ruth Burgess, Pub. Wild Goose Publications
Revd Hilary Iredale, who took a communion service for us in November, gave us a beautiful poem as part of her address. Lots of people asked about it afterwards so she has kindly sent it through for everyone to enjoy:
Go Peaceful in Gentleness
by Paul Field
Go peaceful, in gentleness,
through the violence of these days.
Give freely, show tenderness in all your ways.
Through darkness, in troubled times,
let holiness be your aim.
Seek wisdom, let faithfulness burn like a flame.
God speed you, God lead you
and keep you wrapped around his heart.
May you be known by love.
Be righteous, speak truthfully,
in a world of greed and lies.
Show kindness see everyone through heaven’s eyes.
God hold you, enfold you
and keep you wrapped around his heart.
May you be known by love.
Our new Bishop of Coventry The Rt Revd Sophie Jelley will become the first female Bishop of Coventry early in 2025. She was consecrated a Bishop at York Minster on 21 September 2020 and became Bishop of Doncaster, her current role, in Sheffield Cathedral on 24 September 2020.
Bishop Sophie worked with Church Mission Society, serving at Uganda Christian University for three years before returning to the UK to become the minister of St John the Evangelist, Church in the Diocese of Guildford. In 2010, Sophie moved to the Diocese of Chichester where she was appointed Assistant Diocesan Director of Ordinands alongside her role as a church minister. In 2015 she was appointed Diocesan Director of Mission, Discipleship and Ministry and Residentiary Canon Missioner at Durham Cathedral.
Bishop Sophie is married to Chris and they have three children together. She plays the violin and viola and is a soprano singer and has been a keen runner for many years.
The national episcopal lead for Lay Ministries across the Church of England and a champion of the work to increase the numbers of children and young people, Bishop Sophie has also led the work to increase Diversity and Participation among all sections of the community in the Diocese of Sheffield.
We look forward to welcoming her to Coventry Diocese and to getting to know her over the coming years.
New Year Prayer
Thank you lord for giving me
The brand new year ahead.
Help me live the way I should
As each new day I tread
Give me gentle wisdom
That I might help a friend
Give me strength and courage
So a shoulder I might lend
The year ahead is empty
Help me fill it with good things
Each new day filled with joy
And happiness it brings
Amen
Clergy
Revd. William Smith 316475 wms.smith@btinternet.com
Revd. Sue Fairhurst 735254 sue@fairhursts.me.uk
Churchwardens
Michael Rayner 831522
Jane Marshall 831680
Website & email
www.stjamesoldmilverton.co.uk churchwardenstjames@outlook.co
Parish News
Ali Foster © 2013