PCC News

As well as the things you might expect in a village church, like carol services and Christingles, we also try to get out into the community when we can.

Walking Nativity

For the last two years we have had a Walking Nativity in place of one of the Sunday morning services in Advent. The event begins in the Primary School, where adults and children are encouraged to dress up as characters from the Nativity story. We provide our own collection of nativity outfits, and people innovate with dressing gowns and tea-towels. We then begin our pilgrimage through the village, hearing the nativity story as we go.

When we arrive at The Bell Inn, the landlady (who gets into the spirit with her own costume) declares that there is “no room in the Inn”, but eventually relents, and welcomes us in for some hospitality. The journey then continues to the church, where the first of our nativity characters are placed in the crib scene as carols are sung.

The event attracts a wide range of people including families connected to the school. We send out flyers through the school to let people know it’s happening and we publicise the event through our Facebook page.

Beer and Carols

Also in its second year is our ‘Beer and Carols’ evening. For the 2017 event, we designed a beer mat bearing the date of the event, and this was put on the tables in the pub in the weeks running up to the event. We also posted them through doors in the village with the parish Christmas card.

It was ‘standing room only’ in the pub as we worked our way through the Bethlehem Carols backing track CD. No musicians were required, though there was an excellent turn-out from our choir and congregation. Everyone had a fantastic time and the pub reported an amazing night’s takings.

These events are only possible because of the good relationships we have with the school and the local pub, and we look forward to doing it all again this year.