Travelling On Together

As we come to the last Sunday of the year, I want to say thank you to each and every one of you for the journey we are travelling together across our benefice at St James Church and St Edmund’s Church. This year has been one of shared faith, generous service, and deepening community, and I am profoundly grateful for all you offer in love and commitment.

Our carol service last Sunday captured something of that shared journey.  That evening was a true offering of worship from all our congregations: rich with story and wonder. Solo cello and violin melodies wove alongside tabla and tambourine, carolling voices rose together, and the Christmas story unfolded as a journey to the very heart of God’s love for us. Like the carols we sing each Christmas — of stars, pilgrims, and seekers — we journey together to encounter Jesus.

As we look ahead to 2026, my prayer is that we carry the wonder of Christmas all the way through to Epiphany on 6 January. We will celebrate the three kings arrival on Sunday 4 January, and then keep travelling on, seeking the newborn King in our lives and in our world.

At the start of this new year, the Lord invites us: draw close and stay by my side. May we welcome the Holy Spirit afresh, and may the light of Christ illuminate our lives, so that others may see, and come to discover the wonder we have found in following Jesus.

Revd Tom
 

Christmas at Wednesday Coffee Morning 

We give heartfelt thanks for our Wednesday Coffee Morning team, whose care, creativity, and faithful planning make this a warm and welcoming community week by week. Meeting every Wednesday at 10.30am at St Edmund’s Church, the group is a vibrant space of friendship, conversation, and shared faith.

We ended the term joyfully with a Christmas Communion, followed by the chance to decorate gingerbread houses. We were delighted to welcome friends from the Hongkonesse Community Activity Alchemists, who shared food and joined our festive celebrations.

Do come and join us in January—we’re back on Wednesday 7th.
 

What's on at a Glance?

 

The First Sunday of Christmas - 28th December 2025

Readings we share across all our services: Jeremiah 31.15-17, Psalm 124, Matthew 2.13-18

• NO 9.30am at St Edmund's
• 10.30am worship at St Edmund's and St James'
• 4pm Grace Community Urdu Service

Monday

• No Morning Prayer at St Edmund’s until 5th January

Tuesday 

• No Morning Prayer or Place of Welcome at St James until Tue 6th January

Wednesday - New Years Eve

• Coffee Morning - re-starts on Wednesday 7 January 2026.
• Grace Community Midnight Mass at St Edmund's - 9pm 
• Grace Community - New Years Eve service at 10pm at St Edmund's

Thursday - New Years Day

• Grieving Together Cafe - St James' - meets again now on 8th January
• The Chosen Bible Study back on 8th January
• Christmas Day Celebrations 10.30am at St Edmund's and St James'
• Grace Community New Years Day Service at 4pm at St Edmund's

Next Sunday - 4th January Epiphany

Readings we share across all our services: Isaiah 60.1-6, Psalm 72.10-15, Matthew 2.1-12

• Simple Morning Worship - 9.30am St Edmund's
• 10.30am Communion at St Edmund's and St James'
• 4pm Grace Community Urdu Church

 

Advance Notices

Joint PCC meet on Monday 12th January 7.30pm at St Edmund's. Save the date and papers will be sent out the week before. 
 

Keep up to date at any time by checking our calendar - click here>>

 

Prayer Pointers for this Week

10 prayer pointers shaped by Jeremiah 31.15–17, Psalm 124, and Matthew 2.13–18, to use this week.

1. Pray for all who weep today — parents and families grieving children lost to violence, war, poverty, or neglect.

2. Hold before God refugees and displaced families, like the Holy Family, forced to flee in fear to protect life.

3. Give thanks that God hears the cries of Rachel still — and promises hope and restoration beyond despair.

4. Pray for courage and wisdom for those who must make sudden, costly decisions to keep others safe.

5. Thank God for deliverance remembered in Psalm 124 — moments when we can say, “If the Lord had not been on our side…”

6. Pray for nations and leaders, that power would not be abused like Herod’s, but shaped by justice and compassion.

7. Remember charities, churches, and individuals who shelter, advocate for, and accompany vulnerable families.

8. Pray for children living under threat — that they may know protection, care, and the possibility of joy.

9. Ask God to turn mourning into perseverance, and fear into a quiet trust that God is still at work.

10. As we approach Epiphany, pray that we may recognise Christ among the vulnerable and follow him faithfully, wherever he leads.

 

Prayer Request: Enter the name of the person you would like us to pray for in our weekly prayers. Make sure the person is happy you share their name.