Update from the Church Wardens, December 2023
Sadly we have to announce The Rev Stephen Mills, Vicar of Finedon, has been appointed to the
Benefice of Cookhams in the deanery of Maidenhead and Windsor, in the Oxford Diocese. We all
wish him well in his new position which he will take up an 11th January.
So, here we go again preparing to look for a new Vicar at St. Mary’s and preparing for Christmas.
When I say preparing for Christmas I do not mean buying presents, Christmas cards and stocking
up with food I mean preparing for the way to celebrate God’s greatest gift, Jesus Christ, on Christmas Day. The season of Advent is where we at Church prepare for this occasion. It begins on
Sunday, 3rd December, with an Advent Candlelight Carol service at 6pm in Church. Come and join
us. There will be lots of Advent carols to sing followed by mulled wine to soothe the throat and a
mince pie to refresh your energy.
Besides singing Carols we start lighting the candles on the Advent Wreath on Advent Sunday.
There are 3 purple candles, the colour of the priests vestments for the season of Advent, One pink
which is lit on Gaudete Sunday or Rose Sunday and finally the white one for purity on Christmas
day. Advent in days gone by was a period of fasting like Lent and Gaudete Sunday was a break in
the proceedings where the mood was lightened, a time of joy and rejoicing.
Candle one, the candle of Hope is lit to remind us of the Patriarchs such as Abraham, Father of
David in whose city Jesus was born. Candle two is the candle of love and represents Isaiah who
prophesied the arrival of a Messiah in the Old Testament. Candle 3, the pink candle of joy, symbolises the nearness of Christs coming, of John the Baptiser who prepared the way for Jesus. The
4th Candle, the Angel peace candle, reminds us of the Angel Gabriel’s message from God to Mary.
The final white candle signifies Christ’s birth. (There are variations but they basically all works out
the same).
We will be holding our service of 9 Lessons and Carols on FRIDAY 22nd December at 7pm. If you
have any strength left come and join in with the Carols and again there will be mulled wine for the
throat and mince pies to restore your Spirit ready for Christmas day. Help us start to celebrate the
birthday of Jesus Christ and to pray for us to find a new Priest.
Please note that Midnight Mass starts at 11pm again this year.
The Churchwardens and the PCC wish all our readers a very Happy
Christmas and good health in the New Year. Do not forget, sing
Happy Birthday to JESUS on Christmas Day and thank him for all
your gifts and feasts etc – some people will have nothing and no
one.
Churchwarden Jane