From Ickenham –
       157 boxes and a smile!
How early do you start your Christmas shopping?  However well-intentioned we are with those early starts, it is always easy to be running at the last minute, with just one more thing to buy and plenty still to wrap.  Fortunately, the URC team managing Ickenham’s contribution to Operation Christmas Child kept us all in line.

We were reminded of the sorts of things that were suitable to buy: toys, sweets, pencils, notebooks, stickers, soap, hats, gloves, small puzzles and games – anything fun that would fit into a shoebox.  We got our shoeboxes ready, all beautifully wrapped.  And thanks to the involvement of St Giles’ Church, the 2^nd Ickenham Scout Group, Happy Days Pre-school Nursery and Breakspear School, we achieved our best ever result, with 157 boxes all piled up at the URC by the second week in November.  The boxes have now been collected and have begun their journey to children in need in time for Christmas. 

Operation Christmas Child is the world’s largest children’s Christmas project.  Since 1990 the project has brought a smile to the faces of more than 47 million boys and girls throughout the world.  Last year 1.24 million shoeboxes from the UK were sent to children in hospitals, orphanages, displaced persons’ camps, homeless shelters and impoverished neighbourhoods in Eastern Europe and Africa.  Here’s to even more smiles this year!

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THESE EXTRA SERVICES IN DECEMBER In addition to the normal pattern of services at the top of the page, December sees many extra events taking place at the two churches.  Please join us, you’ll be warmly welcomed.

AT ST GILES’

Sunday 2^nd December – Advent Sunday
9.45am            Family Service with Holy Communion, including dedication of “I AM”
6.30pm            Advent Carol Service (with combined URC / St Giles’ choirs)

Sunday 9^th
3.00pm            Jack and Jill Carol Service

Sunday 16^th
9.45am           Junior Church Christmas performance (Church Hall)
6.30pm            Festival Service of Nine Lessons and Carols

Sunday 23^rd
5.00pm            Live@Five all-age Christmas Special (Church Hall)

Monday 24^th – Christmas Eve
3.00pm            Carols for the Family (Free admission, but by ticket only – available at Family Service
 & 4.30pm        on 2^nd December and afterwards by ringing 622971)
8.00pm            Holy Communion (Traditional Language)
11.00pm          Holy Communion

Tuesday 25^th – Christmas Day
8.00am            Holy Communion (Traditional Language)
10.00am          All-age Celebration with Holy Communion

Wednesday 26^th – St Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day)
9.00am            Holy Communion (Traditional Language)

Thursday 27^th – St John the Apostle
10.00am          Holy Communion (Traditional Language)

Friday 28^th – Holy Innocents’ Day
9.00am            Holy Communion (Traditional Language)

 

AT THE URC

Sunday 9^th December
11.00am          Junior Church nativity service and Gifts for Present Aid

Sunday 16^th
6.30pm            Carols by Candlelight

Thursday 20^th
6.00pm            All-age Carol Sing

Tuesday 25^th – Christmas Day
10.00am          Christmas Day celebration

 

 

DROP-IN FOR THE BEREAVED.  Third Monday of each month.  St Giles’ Church Hall, 2pm to 3.30pm. A friendly, informal opportunity for a chat, over a cup of tea, with other bereaved people and pastoral visitors.  The next meeting is on Monday 17^th December (then Monday 21^st January).  Just come along, or ring the Rectory (622970) if you would like to talk to someone first.